About us

What is Islington Giving?

Islington is a place of social extremes, where London’s richest and poorest residents exist side-by-side, living entirely different lives.

It is the 14th most deprived borough in England and the 5th most deprived in London. In 2007 Islington had the highest male suicide rate in England. Child mental health problems are 36% higher than the national average and many Islington people, of all age groups and backgrounds, lack inspiration and practical support from friends, family and the community as a whole.

The Islington Giving campaign is inspired by Invisible Islington: Living in Poverty in Inner London a report, commissioned by The Cripplegate Foundation, an independent charity, in 2008. It highlights the issues blighting Islington’s poorest people, identifies the root causes and shows what must happen urgently to tackle this situation.

Islington Giving – a campaign for Islington by Islington people – aims to raise £3m over the next three years to support our community.

You can help today, find out how you can get involved today either as a volunteer or by helping us to fundraise

or donate now

A Coalition of Partners

There are already charitable trusts in Islington that use their funds to address poverty and disadvantage. Islington Giving brings these trusts together into a unique and powerful local partnership; the first of its kind to work together strategically to effect change.

Founder members of the Coalition, which is endorsed by Islington Council, are The Breadsticks Foundation,City Bridge Trust, Cripplegate Foundation, The Morris Charitable Trust, Richard Cloudesley’s Charity and Voluntary Action Islington. The list is growing all the time.

The facts:

Islington has the second highest child poverty rate in England.

It also has the second lowest life expectancy rate for men in London and sixth lowest for women.

In 2007 Islington had the highest male suicide rate in England.

The number of five to 17 year-olds with mental health disorders is 36% higher than the national average.

The Borough’s crime rate is twice the national average, with 120 offences per 1,000 population recorded in 2009.

Find out more and read the Invisible Islington report here

“There are ‘two Islingtons’ – one successful, vibrant and prosperous, the other poor and disadvantaged. Our charitable Coalition recognises that it is through the sum of our parts that we can achieve the most for Islington.”

Jack Morris OBE, Coalition member and Chairman of the Islington Giving Appeal Committee.

Download Islington Giving Leaflet (PDF – 344k)