Download a copy of our IPR Annual Review 2015 (PDF)

Chair’s Report

IPR has built on its strengths over the last year. We have supported more people, achieved improved outcomes and diversified our funding. These achievements did not come about by accident but through the commitment of a great team of staff and my fellow trustees.

Over the year we assisted well over 2,500 clients. Around 70% identified as being disabled, many with mental health issues.

The last 12 months have marked a period of consolidation for IPR. We have responded to funding reductions by developing new funding streams for our advice work, essential with further reductions possible. At the same time we have continued to provide a high quality service across a number of community venues with good outcomes and a high level of client satisfaction.

Our aims for the forthcoming year are to maintain and improve the quality of our activities. Thanks to a major grant from the Trust for London we have commenced delivery of advice services and capacity building to Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee organisations in the borough. This will enable IPR to support these groups and their clients more effectively.

I must of course thank all our funders without whom we would be unable to deliver the vital services that we provide; most evidently Islington Council. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the support of Nabarro LLP who have provided continued pro bono help to our clients as well as supporting IPR in other ways.

The demand for our services continues to grow, particularly in the current economic climate. Many of our beneficiaries have been affected by recent changes in the welfare system, notably in relation to disability benefits. Universal Credit is now being introduced, which will replace many benefits for those of working age. The excellent staff, trustees, volunteers and supporters of our work means that we look forward positively to 2016 and beyond.

Tim Aldridge

Download a copy of our IPR Annual Review 2014 (PDF)

Chair’s Report

IPR has had another successful year providing independent specialist advice and casework in relation to welfare benefits and debt. In 2013-2014 we assisted over disadvantaged 2,500 clients, in and around Islington. Around 70% were disabled, many with mental health issues. We provided support and representation on key welfare benefits matters, notably related to Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Employment Support Allowance (ESA), and were involved in over 100 tribunal appeals. Many of our clients are affected by welfare reform, and struggling with new policies such as conditionality and sanctions. Our caseworkers have kept up with the fast pace of change and continued to offer an excellent quality of service; overall IPR’s success rate at tribunals was over 90%, and over 95% of clients confirmed their satisfaction with the IPR service, and that they would recommend us. By maximising the incomes of our clients we were able to bring over £1.2 million into Islington in 2013.

IPR has finished the year in a healthy financial position, having successfully secured some new sources of funding. These include a substantial grant from Trust for London, with which we are now launching Access+ to strengthen welfare benefits and debt advice services for BME and refugee community organisations in Islington. Late in 2013, we began the three-year Advance project that assists ex-offenders with drug and alcohol issues, in relation to welfare rights and debt issues, funded by City Bridge Trust. We continue to deliver specialist debt advice services at Holloway Prison, and at Pentonville Prison, the former funded by Working Links, the latter by the prison service. Despite this diversification, Islington Council remains our largest funder, providing our core grant and funding the contract specifically for our outreach services at community mental health venues. We have very much appreciated the Council’s understanding of the importance of independent advice services, and its continued financial support for IPR. Our current grant runs until April 2015, and we know that the local authority faces many future financial challenges of its own. Nevertheless, we hope the Council will continue to provide significant core grant funding to IPR.

We work closely with our partners in Islington Advice Alliance, Islington Law Centre and Islington CAB, which ensures Islington residents can access all areas of advice. Currently funding from the Big Lottery’s Advice Services Transition Fund, is enabling much collaborative work under the banner of “Advising Islington Together”. I very much enjoyed chairing the launch event for this new initiative back in February, which brought together over 120 people from a diverse range of charities and community groups across Islington, to share knowledge and ensure all Islington residents can access high-quality advice services.

Having been on IPR’s Management Committee since 2010 and Chair for the last two years, I am now standing down, making this my last Chair’s Report. My involvement with IPR has been hugely fulfilling. I have learnt a lot and it has been great to see the organisation go from strength to strength, despite the challenging funding environment. This has all been due to our dedicated staff, Management Committee members, volunteers, funders and supporters. In particular I would like to thank Gerard Omasta-Milsom for his committed leadership and support throughout my time with IPR. We have a strong team of both staff and Management Committee members, so I feel confident that IPR is in safe hands. With further welfare reforms on the horizon, which will affect some of Islington’s most vulnerable residents, I’m sure our services will be needed more than ever.
LINDSAY OWEN