Lisa Burrell

Two of St Luke’s key aims are to help tackle disadvantage in our community and improve the wellbeing of local people.  As well as offering services like our Job Club, Community Shop and Café, Over 55s Lunch Club and free classes, activities and events for all ages, we encourage members to get the right support when they need it for themselves and their families.  We do this by working with a number of partners who provide valuable free advice and information to make a real difference to their daily lives.

Each week, we refer members to local organisations for face-to-face Advice and Information Clinics at the Centre or other venues or for telephone appointments with helplines. From January to August 2025, our members have attended 790 appointments.

Getting the right support and correct advice and information can make a huge positive difference to people’s lives and wellbeing so we encourage members to attend a clinic to ask for help.  For instance, the Westway Trust Cost of Living Crisis Clinic, supported by corporate partners, assisted clients, attending between April and June 2025, to claim grants and welfare benefits totalling over £92,000.

Our current list of partners delivering Advice and Support Clinics include:

  • Islington People’s Rights (IPR) offer Welfare and Debt Advice
  • Age UK Islington deliver free Advice Sessions via their Telephone Helpline or St Luke’s Wellbeing Hub
  • City University Law School’s Community Legal Advice Centre provide free legal advice on social housing disrepair, employment law, small business law, civil litigation and other legal issues.
  • Westway Trust, in partnership with corporate partners, offers weekly cost-of-living clinics at St Luke’s to support local residents with welfare benefits, social housing, crisis grants and reducing Thames Water and broadband bills, as well as assisting with appeals to benefit decisions.

Our Wellbeing Hub offers signposting and referrals to local organisations, helping individuals access the support they need. This includes face-to-face appointments with the organisations above and other local partners such as Help on Your Doorstep, Bright Futures and Islington’s Income Maximisation Team (IMAX).

In addition, the Bunhill Councillors and your local MP have their monthly surgeries at the Centre so you can get their support with issues affecting you or your family.

The full details of how to book our Advice and Support Clinics are available at Advice & Support Clinics South Islington – St Luke’s Community Centre or pick up a leaflet at St Luke’s reception.