Marking 10 years of the Resident Support Scheme in Islington

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Cripplegate Foundation has been involved in the Islington Resident Support Scheme (RSS) since its inception in 2013 in response to the government abolishing the Social Fund. At the time, the Cripplegate Foundation was already supporting a residents’ fund and decided to work with the local authority, pooling resources, to maximise the financial impact of the scheme. Since then, Cripplegate Foundation has been a key partner in the RSS, contributing funding, knowledge, and staff support to the scheme every year.

In that time, the RSS has distributed almost £21 million in emergency funding through 42,394 grants.

To mark this milestone, we were delighted to bring almost 100 people from RSS referral partners network together on Tuesday 4^th July to reflect on the last 10 years, and to plan for the next 10. It is crucial that this safety net remains in place, and we are excited about the prospect of making it an ever better, more effective support fund for local people when they most need it.

Anne-Marie Ellis, Co-Chair, Cripplegate Foundation:

“Cripplegate Foundation has been involved in the Resident Support Scheme (RSS) since its inception in 2013. As co-chair of the Foundation, I am very pleased that we are working in collaboration with Islington Council and so many local charities on such an important safety net for local people during times of crisis.”

RSS 10-year celebration event, July 2023

Cllr Diarmaid Ward, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Finance, Planning and Performance:

“Islington has always been a place with a fantastic community spirit, and it’s truly heartening to see so many local organisations pulling together day-in, day-out to offer the helping hand that any one of us might one day need to rely on.

“The Resident Support Scheme has been a vital part of the borough’s safety net for a decade now, and I’m immensely proud that it has helped tens of thousands of people to get back on their feet after facing desperate situations.

“In many cases these grants are about more than just money to purchase an essential item or pay a bill – they provide breathing space, buy time, reduce stress and help people focus on other priorities. The scheme is also there to signpost people to more help – whether that’s employment support, energy bills advice or maximising their benefits income – to improve their situation.

Residents access the RSS through one of the many local partner organisations, such as Housing Associations, Council services like Housing, Adult Social Services and Children’s Services, or local charities like Citizens Advice Islington, Age UK Islington, Help on your Doorstep, and Islington Law Centre, among others. If you, or anyone you know, is in need of additional support, please see a full list of referral partners here:

Victor Momodu, Programme Manager, Cripplegate Foundation:

“I have been leading on the RSS for Cripplegate Foundation for 3 years now and, while the scheme is designed to provide short-term support whilst people improve their situation, we know that for many people living in poverty in Islington the RSS is a lifeline.”

The RSS grants are split into four categories:

Crisis provision, which includes vouchers to buy food, fuel and, exceptionally, clothing (for those fleeing domestic violence or in case of a disaster like a flood or fire) when for a limited period money is not coming in;
Community Care grants, for vulnerable residents who are starting fresh in the community (leaving care, prison, hospital etc.), or setting up home for the first time and have nothing;
Council Tax Support, to help residents who are experiencing exceptional short-term problems paying their council tax including council tax debt;
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), to provide short-term support for housing costs, i.e. to meet any shortfall in rent (like bedroom tax), and also help to cover rent in advance, rent deposits and removal costs for vulnerable residents to meet the costs of purchasing or replacing essential household items.