Funded by City Bridge Foundation, formerly known as City Bridge Trust, IPR Assist provided extra capacity to work with the most vulnerable residents in the borough. Launched in April 2019, this project used IPR’s experience and local networks to provide intensive support to around 500 people a year. We worked with key local partners, notably Help On Your Doorstep (HOYD) to identify those residents most affected by poverty and most in need of support. Weekly referrals were booked in for appointments at our offices at the Manor Gardens Centre, particularly those requiring specialist welfare benefits advice, casework and representation. The majority of those being referred had disabilities, and problems accessing their full entitlement of benefits.
There are increasing numbers of people living in poverty in Islington. Inequality is on the rise and the borough is becoming more acutely divided between the haves and the have-nots. We know that part of this is related to the benefits system. When people have their benefits suspended, or delayed, with so many living on the breadline, the smallest change in circumstances can leave people with no money at all.
IPR Assist has helped to make a big difference for well over 2,000 people in poverty in Islington over the five years it was funded.