Support Services & Referral Pathways

Many barriers are faced by Islington residents when it comes to accessing support and benefits. Voluntary and community organisations play a vital role in breaking down these barriers, by acting as trusted connectors, raising awareness of benefits and other support, and helping people check their eligibility.

This page is aimed at supporting workers of local Food Aid organisations by outlining key info for other support services to which you signpost and refer Islington residents.

These services cover issues such as money, housing, employment & more.

Income Maximisation Team (IMAX) (Islington Council)

Organisations can refer clients to the Islington Income Maximisation (iMAX) team for benefits advice. iMAX helps Islington residents with benefits, grants, and Universal Credit, often working in partnership with local voluntary sector (VCS), health, and housing partners. 

Tel: 020 7527 8222 

Email: Claimit@islington.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Islington

Organisations can partner with Citizens Advice Islington (CAI) to provide holistic support by referring residents for, and receiving assistance with, financial, housing, and benefit issues. CAI offers 1-2-1 professional advice, debt management, and benefit maximisation, while also collaborating with the Islington Council Resident Support Scheme for crisis food/fuel vouchers. 

Adviceline: 0808 278 7836 

Islington Law Centre

Organisations can refer clients to Islington Law Centre for legal advice on benefits, housing, and debt, or partner with them to provide embedded, on-site support to vulnerable residents. Referrals can be made by calling or emailing their reception/referral team directly, especially to address welfare benefit crises. 

Tel: 020 7288 7630

Islington People’s Rights

Organisations can partner with Islington People’s Rights to provide residents with support across welfare ebenfits and expert assistance with debt negotiation, utility bills, benefit overpayments, and insolvency options like Debt Relief Orders or bankruptcy.

Advice Line: 020 7561 3685

Islington BAMER Advice Alliance

Organisations can partner with the Islington BAMER Advice Alliance (IBAA) to ensure that residents from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, and Refugee communities receive culturally sensitive and linguistically accessible support.

Help On Your Doorstep

Organisations can partner with Help on Your Doorstep (HOYD) to provide residents with a holistic pathway out of crisis. By using the HOYD Referral Form, staff can connect clients to the Connect Service, where advisors conduct deep-dive assessments to link individuals with specialist support for debt, housing, employment, and mental health. To better support residents on-site, organisations can also collaborate with HOYD to host outreach advisors at food distribution points, ensuring immediate, face-to-face signposting that addresses the root causes of food insecurity.

Tel: 020 3931 6080  

Email: connect@helponyourdoorstep.com 

Manor Gardens Welfare Trust

Manor Gardens Welfare Trust (MGWT) works with local people to help them with issues around finances, housing, health and wellbeing. Specialising in supporting local people who experience langugae and cultural barriers, MGWT offer culturally-competent support in vatious languages.

Manor Gardens are able to come to your venue and speak to users during your food service. On the day we will speak with people to explain what we do and register their details if they would like assistance. We then follow up with an assessment on a later date, either by phone or in person, when we can spend more time determining their needs and how best to help them.

It is helpful in advance if we know the main languages spoken by your users so we can bring the right people in our team. We don’t need a private room or internet connection during the food service but it can be helpful to have a table and chairs where we can sit with people and discuss their situation with them.

Tel: 07483 149 519 

Email: MGassistance@manorgardenscentre.org 

Learning Disability Network London

Organisations can partner with Learning Disability Network London (LDN) to ensure residents with learning disabilities receive tailored support alongside food aid. By making a referral, staff can connect clients to specialist outreach and advocacy, helping them navigate complex systems like housing, benefits, and health services.

To provide more holistic on-site support, organisations can collaborate with LDN London to facilitate information sharing and peer support groups, ensuring that food support environments are accessible and that the specific communication and safety needs of people with learning disabilities are met.

Tel: 020 3031 6651 

Email: islingtonSENDIASS@ldnlondon.org

Access Islington Hubs

By signposting to these Access Islington Hubs, staff can help residents access integrated support for financial hardship, housing issues, and family services. To better support residents holistically, organisations can collaborate with hub staff to coordinate multi-agency casework, ensuring that individuals visiting food support sites are also connected to long-term statutory and voluntary resources that address the drivers of poverty.

Tel: 020 7527 8222 

Email: heretohelp@islington.gov.uk