Confronting isolation

Islington Giving will work with tried and trusted organisations to focus on those most affected by isolation, mental ill health and loneliness. The campaign will help an extra 700 people a year, providing new mentors for children with mental health problems, running practical projects, such as gardening, for adults affected by mental ill health and offering long-term support for older people.

The facts:

• Islington has the highest rate of suicide for men in England
• The number of five to 17-year-olds with mental health disorders is 36% higher than the national average
• 3,000 people registered with a doctor in Islington have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or other psychoses.
• The substance misuse rate for 15 to 64-years-olds is more than two-and-a-half times the national average.

Through Confronting Isolation, Islington Giving will support the most vulnerable members of our community, people of every age who are isolated and lonely, people failing to access education and employment and people most affected by mental ill health.

Islington Giving will invest a total of £1 million over five years in Confronting Isolation, to enable 3,500 vulnerable and isolated individuals to receive special help.

We will work with a range of tried and trusted local organisations to provide help in a number of ways:

Vulnerable children and young people

Confronting Isolation will provide access to counselling and mentoring through activities such as Drum Counselling, Chance UK and Friendship Works. Expanding their activities will enable many more children and young people contending with deeply difficult personal situations to be supported and given much improved life chances.

We will give £300,000 over five years to enable 650 vulnerable children and young people to receive the help that they need and deserve.

Vulnerable women

Confronting Isolation will provide free counselling and psychotherapy for women suffering from poor mental health and provide employment and educational development opportunities . More services will be available at organisations such as the Maya Centre, The Parent House, Minik Kardes and the Women’s Therapy Centre.

We will invest £240,000 over five years to provide 350 vulnerable women with the specialist support they need to secure a better future for themselves and their families.

Vulnerable people of all ages

Confronting Isolation will support an increased range of therapeutic interventions, educational and employment training and social activities at organisations such as the Claremont Project, Culpeper Community Garden, Hillside Clubhouse and the Stuart Low Trust.

We will invest £310,000 over five years to provide therapeutic interventions, employment training and social activities for 1,500 people.

Support for vulnerable elderly people

Confronting Isolation will support the elderly and isolated by increasing opportunities to take part in activities, meet friends, take exercise and receive advice at local clubs for older people, and organisations such as Finsbury and Clerkenwell Volunteers and The Peel Centre.

We will invest £150,000 over five years to enable 1,000 older people to take part in local activities, meet friends, take exercise and be given the support they need.

Get involved