IPR Advice

Islington People's Rights

Independent Welfare Benefits
and Debt Advice in Islington

IPR Impact Report 2025

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The IPR Impact Report can be downloaded here.

Chair’s Report

Welcome to IPR’s 2024 to 2025 Impact Report.

This past year has proved a difficult one in regards to the on-going cost of living crisis and threats of further welfare reforms. At Islington People’s Rights (IPR) we are pleased to be able to continue to provide essential support to Islington’s residents.

In the last 12 months, we have seen more than a 30% increase in inbound enquiries. In response, we have launched two new projects, Beyond Debt and Warmth for All, are in the process of relaunching IPR Care. These sit alongside our core service and existing specialised projects. Every enquiry is important to us and we work with local organisations to take on referrals and signpost residents to get the support they need.

IPR has a passionate team of staff and volunteers who work directly with some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They meet with thousands of families and individuals experiencing poverty. Many do not have the time or means to navigate the welfare system or are struggling to manage their debts. Many cases are complex and IPR provides a vital lifeline, with caseworkers securing benefits entitlements, appealing decisions and providing sound financial advice. I am particularly grateful for the care and compassion our team shows to all of IPR’s clients and this is reflected in the 95% satisfaction rate reported in our surveys.

I must also thank the grant making trusts and funders that enable us to do the work we do. We are particularly grateful to Islington Council for committing funding our Core Service until March 2028. We are also grateful to the organisations providing significant funding towards our projects as highlighted.

Finally, I should thank my fellow Trustees for their continued support and ideas for enhancing the services that IPR provides.

Across the following pages, you will see the support IPR has provided to thousands of clients in the past year. We are strongly committed to expanding upon these efforts and enable even more Islington residents to overcome poverty and inequality.

David Moore Chair, Islington People’s Rights

Islington People’s Rights AGM 2025

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Tuesday 18 November, 6.30pm. Brickworks Community Centre, 42 Crouch Hill, London N4 4BY.

All welcome to the AGM of Islington People’s Rights [IPR] on Tuesday 18th November at 6.30pm. The AGM is more like a Public Meeting, and this year’s theme is  “The Cost of Living crisis”, which is affecting so many local residents, including many IPR clients.

This is a free event open to all members of the community, residents and organisations alike.

Jeremy Corbyn MP (Islington North), Adam Scorer, Chief Executive, National Energy Action (NEA) and Cllr Sheila Chapman, Executive Member for Equalities, Communities & Inclusion, Islington Council, will address the IPR AGM. Other speakers to be confirmed. IPR chair, David Moore and IPR Chief Executive, Gerard Omasta-Milsom will be reflecting on IPR’s past year activities, and looking forward to the year ahead. The AGM will also serve as the launch of the IPR 2025 Impact Report.

After the speakers and formal parts of the meeting there will be refreshments and a chance to mingle with trustees, staff, partners and clients.

Please register to attend by 4pm on 14th November at https://IPRAGM2025.eventbrite.co.uk

Jeremy Corbyn

IPR Care

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IPR Care assists people caring for relatives and others with dementia and physical disabilities, by providing welfare benefits and debt advice. Carers perform an essential unpaid role for thousands of people, often 24 hours a day. The nature of the role means that they often have little time to devote to dealing with complexities around benefits entitlements. Carers UK reported that 40% of carers are in debt and the proportion of carers unable to afford their utility bills more than doubled in 2022. 35% report that they are cutting back on food and heating, and 8% of carers are using food banks to cope with the cost of living crisis.

IPR works with Islington Carers Hub, and other organisations locally that work with carers in the borough. No other organisation in Islington runs such a bespoke service, delivering specialist advice around benefits and debt to carers. Many of the carers we help miss out on Carer’s Allowance, because they do not realise they are entitled to it, by which time they may have serious debts. Our essential service means both carers, and those they care for, can access the specialist advice they need.

IPR Care relies entirely on grants from trusts, individual supporters and others, and currently lacks significant funding.

London Legal Walk 2025

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IPR will be taking part in the London Legal Walk once again on Tuesday 17th June 2025. This year we have an IPR team of 10, made up of staff, trustees, clients and supporters. The sponsored 10km walk in central London is organised by The London Legal Support Trust, who work to support access to justice in London and the South East.

All the money raised by the IPR team goes direct to Islington People’s Rights to help us continue our vital work helping Islington’s most vulnerable residents. We hope to raise more than £2000 for Islington People’s Rights. If you would like to donate, do so at: https://londonlegalsupporttrust.enthuse.com/pf/islington-people-s-rights-2025

London Legal Walk