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Islington People's Rights

Independent Welfare Benefits
and Debt Advice in Islington

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Fifty years of Islington People’s Rights

10th July 2020 by bootleweb

IPR @ 50

Founded in 1969, Islington People’s Rights celebrated its 50th anniversary with a programme of events and activities, from November 2019 – March 2020. This page documents the programme, which sought to demonstrate the impact of IPR’s work over the past five decades, and highlight the organisation’s ongoing commitment to reducing poverty and the effects of debt in Islington.

Exhibition at Islington Museum

From 2 November 2019 – 21 January 2020, an exhibition at Islington Museum charted IPR’s development over the past five decades in the context of ongoing welfare reform and its continuing work to meet the needs of local residents. 

IPR@50 exhibition, Islington Museum
Image courtesy of lombaert studio

Attracting 4,379 visitors to the museum, the exhibition featured a timeline of the past five decades recording the ever changing landscape of the welfare system and how IPR has evolved in response. Photographs, archival material and statements from both staff and recipients of the organisation’s services brought the timeline to life.

Highlights included a display of the 1978 handbook published by IPR; an extract from Ken Loach’s 2016 film ‘I, Daniel Blake’; an interactive allowing visitors to experience completing a Universal Credit claim form; and a display of ceramist Raewyn Harrison’s ‘Protest Bottles’, including a group of newly commissioned bottles with messages written by IPR staff, trustees and clients.

Commemorative Booklet

The exhibition content was also published in form of a commemorative booklet, available to download here.

IPR@50 Commemorative Booklet Cover
Design: lombaert studio
Background image © Islington Local History Centre

Oral Histories

In order to capture the stories of founding members and Islington residents and organisations that have come into contact with IPR, a series of oral histories was recorded. Listen to them here:

Carol O’Brien (IPR founding member and caseworker 1969) – IPR’s early years

https://www.ipradvice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/001-Carol-OBrien.mp3

Saiqa Pandor (IPR trustee 2019 – present) – An Islington resident since the 1980s

https://www.ipradvice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/002-Saiqa-Pandor.mp3

John Muldoon (IPR caseworker, treasurer & chair 1979 – 2000) – IPR 1980s – 2000s

https://www.ipradvice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/003-John-Muldoon.mp3

Yussuf Ahmed – (coordinator, Islington Somali Community) – The Islington Somali Community and IPR

https://www.ipradvice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/004-Yussuf-Ahmed.mp3

An accompanying events series ranged from weekly drop-in advice sessions with IPR caseworkers, guided walks around Clerkenwell with author David Rosenberg looking at local radical history, a talk on the impact of Universal credit, to storytelling and family activities for under 5s.

Exhibition closing event 14 January 2020
Left to right: Councillor Una O’ Halloran, Gerard Omasta-Milsom, Jeremy Corbyn MP
Photo: Lin Knapp

Concluding the 50th anniversary programme was an exclusive screening of 1969 BBC drama ‘Cathy Come Home’ directed by Ken Loach, followed by a Q&A with the critically acclaimed director himself and Jo Littler, Professor of Social Analysis and Cultural Politics at City, University of London on 19 March 2020 at Rio Cinema.

Cathy Come Home Screening + Q&A with Ken Loach and Professor Jo Littler
Photo: Lin Knapp

Press Coverage

Islington People’s Rights received considerable local press coverage in relation to the exhibition and linked programme of events:

Islington Gazette 31st October 2019

Islington Gazette 25th November 2019

Islington Tribune 8th November 2019

Islington Now 7th November 2019

Filed Under: IPR@50

Events

13th February 2020 by bootleweb

IPR @ 50Islington People’s Rights is turning fifty

Since Islington People’s Rights (IPR) was founded in 1969, we have been committed to reducing poverty and the effects of debt in Islington.  We’re celebrating this important work by launching an exhibition that charts the organisation’s history over the past 50 years in response to welfare reform and the changing face of poverty in Islington. To coincide with the exhibition, you can also take part in a series of free events including drop in advice sessions, a guided walk around Clerkenwell by author David Rosenberg looking at local radical history, a talk on the impact of Universal credit and storytelling and family activities for the under 5s.

Kings Cross Employment Office, Barnsbury Road, 1980s © London Borough of Islington - Libraries
Kings Cross Employment Office, Barnsbury Road, 1980s
© London Borough of Islington – Libraries

Exhibition at Islington Museum
Walk: People’s Struggles for People’s Rights
  • Saturday 9 November, 10.30am
  • Saturday 7 December, 10.30am
  • Starts: Old Finsbury Town Hall, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4RP
  • Ends: Islington Museum

A guided walk in and around Clerkenwell covering fascinating episodes in local radical history, from the Peasants’ revolt of 1381 to today’s May Day marches. The walk is led by David Rosenberg, author of Rebel Footprints: a Guide to Uncovering London’s Radical History. Free event. To reserve your place please visit http://www.eastendwalks.com/?page_id=82

Talk: The Impact of Universal Credit
Thursday 14 November, 2.30pm Islington Museum Dan Norris, Head of Advice and Rights, at the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) explores the impact of Universal Credit, and work being undertaken to tackle this. This update and discussion follows on, from the successful 2018 Conference “Universal Credit: A whole Community response” organised by Islington People’s Rights and other local advice agencies. Free event. To reserve your place please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talk-the-impact-of-universal-credit-tickets-76752702399
Islington People’s Rights AGM 2019
Tuesday 19 November, 6.30pm City University, Northampton Square, EC1V 1HB Join us for the AGM of Islington People’s Rights (IPR) with speakers including Cllr Richard Watts, Leader of Islington Council, Louisa McGeehan, Director of Policy, Rights and Advocacy, CPAG and John Muldoon, former chair of IPR. Islington Museum will be open until 6pm that day, so you can visit the exhibition before the event. After the speeches there will be refreshments and a chance to meet IPR trustees, staff and partners. Free event but registration essential by 14th November (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/islington-peoples-rights-2019-agm-tickets-73427574853)
Under 5’s Story Adventure: Islington People’s Rights
Friday 22 November, 10am-10.45am Islington Museum Join Dani the Storyteller on an adventure to discover the stories behind the exhibition. Free drop in session, no booking required
Under 5’s Messy Play: Islington People’s Rights
Thursday 28 November, 10am-11.30am Islington Museum Messy play exploring stories from the exhibition. Messy Play gets messy so bring old clothes or an apron! Free drop in session, no booking required
Debt: What help is out there?
Tuesday 3 December, 2.30pm With Islington People’s Rights at Islington Museum Find out what free help is available in Islington. Meeting for local residents who may have debt issues, and for local organisations that support residents with debts. Islington People’s Rights delivers the Islington Water Debt Advice Project, supporting those with water debts or other utility debts, through funding from the Thames Water Trust Fund. IPR also provides more general debt advice. Free event. To reserve your place please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/debt-what-help-is-out-there-tickets-76758126623
Welfare Benefits and Debt Advice Drop in sessions
Various dates across November 2019 to January 2020 Islington Museum Are you having problems with your Welfare Benefits? Is the weight of debt holding you down? Islington People’s Rights (IPR) can help, by providing independent welfare benefits and debt advice. Specialist Caseworker available to assist you with welfare benefits and debt issues. Free event. No need to book, just drop in to Islington Museum on following dates:

  • Monday 11 November 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Saturday 16 November 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Thursday 21 November 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Friday 29 November 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Monday 2 December 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Friday 6 December 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Saturday 14 December 2 to 4pm
  • Thursday 9 January 2 to 4pm
  • Saturday 18 January 2 to 4pm

Filed Under: IPR@50

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