Annual Report
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Chair’s Report
Welcome to the 2011 Annual Report of Islington People’s Rights.
In many ways IPR has come through a challenging year with real concerns that have caused difficulty for many charitable organisations.
I am pleased to say IPR has emerged stronger and more dynamic. It has continued to deliver high quality specialist advice in welfare benefits and debt in places convenient to those most in need.
The impact of the Recession has made the demand for both welfare and debt advice to be higher than ever. Welfare reforms are having a great impact on the vulnerable members of society that most use our services and yet we know there is more to come that will have yet further impact on family budgets, homes and opportunities for work. Legal Aid reforms are likely to have a significant impact on both our clients and their ability to obtain specialist advice, and our funding and thereby our ability to provide that specialist advice.
IPR continues to evolve to meet these greater demands on our service and to ensure that we are prepared for the rough seas still to come. We shall always continue to ensure that we provide high quality and effective advice to the people of Islington.
This is my first Chair’s Report, since I took on the role after the 2010 AGM. Having been an IPR Management Committee Member for several years, and having worked for the organisation in the past, I have an understanding and commitment to the work of IPR. It is an honour to serve the organisation and to support its work.
I should acknowledge the time and effort contributed by the other members of the management committee. This is not just through their governance role at meetings, but their involvement in the financial overview and other work. Lindsay Owen, the Vice Chair has assisted greatly particularly with her knowledge and understanding of Charities, and also Kris Murari who took over as treasurer this year with his specialist understanding of the world of money. Becky Hind who ably performed this role since 2009 will not be standing for re-election to the Committee, and we wish her well. We welcomed 2 new members to the Management Committee; Christine Usher and Stuart Moon whom we are already aware will make invaluable contributions over the next year. Arthur Ryser has been a committed member for years on the committee and we value his commitment to IPR.
I must take this opportunity to thank all the staff of IPR for their hard work over the year. It is the Specialist Caseworkers in particular who deliver the quality of advice that ensures that IPR remains the leading independent advice agency providing welfare benefits and debt advice in Islington. Gerard Omasta-Milsom, the Manager, has been able to consolidate the team and with his leadership and focused direction has been able to ensure that IPR has a more steady footing financially for the next few years. Maggie Pether, one of our Team Leaders, did move on last autumn, after several years of sterling service.
I should acknowledge the key support that Islington Council has continued to provide to IPR, during a year that has proved to be challenging for local authorities. I must also thank the local MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry for their continued support. IPR is here to stay, and will always ensure that advocating for the rights the people of Islington is our key purpose.
Sasere Obaseki
Chair