Toynbee Hall has celebrated 20 years of leading Debt Free Advice, marking two decades of helping more than 500,000 Londoners overcome financial challenges and build greater financial security. More than 200 partners, funders, colleagues, supporters and guests gathered at Merchant Taylors’ Hall to reflect on the achievements of the Debt Free Advice partnership and look…
Read more
Debt Free Advice, led by Toynbee Hall, has won a national award for technology designed to help advisers spend more time supporting people facing debt and financial difficulty. The Innovation & Impact Award, presented at the 2026 Institute of Money Advisers Conference in Manchester, recognises Adviser Intelligence: a suite of tools developed by Toynbee Hall…
Read more
Recently, our Director of Advice Services and Incoming Interim Chief Executive, Matt Dronfield, spoke to a national audience on GB News to highlight debt, financial hardship and how important it can be to access advice services. Matt discussed how at Toynbee Hall, we know first hand that debt can affect anyone. Every day, our advisers support people from a range of different backgrounds and circumstances. As Matt explained on…
Read more
Toynbee Hall is marking 20 years of our LinkAge Plus programme, celebrating two decades of supporting older people across Tower Hamlets to stay connected, active and part of their communities. Our LinkAge Plus programme offers a wide range of activities designed to build connection – including yoga, walking groups and exercise classes, as well as…
Read more
Toynbee Hall has appointed Matt Dronfield as Interim Chief Executive for an 18-month period, as the organisation prepares for its next strategic chapter. The appointment follows a competitive recruitment process led by the Board of Trustees and a colleague subpanel. Matt will lead Toynbee Hall through a period of transition and strategy development, with a focus on strengthening long-term…
Read more
The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced major changes to private renting in England. From 1st May 2026 new rules apply to the vast majority of private sector tenancies, strengthening tenants’ rights and increasing rental stability. The Act arguably contains the most significant changes to housing law in a generation. Here are the key things you need to know 1) If you are renting privately, you are highly likely to be impacted by these…
Read more
“ME Awareness Week provides an important opportunity to raise public awareness of the realities of living with ME/CFS, challenge the misconceptions and stigma that still surround the condition, and recognise the urgent need for continued research, improved healthcare provision, and fairer welfare and social security support for those affected. ME/CFS is a complex, life-changing multisystem…
Read more
Recent changes to the two-child limit in Universal Credit (UC), which came into effect on 6th April 2026, mean that some families may now be entitled to additional support. The two-child limit has been lifted, which means certain households may be able to receive Universal Credit payments for more than two children. While not everyone will be affected, some…
Read more
Debt Free Advice is supporting Stop Loan Sharks Week (11–17 May), helping to raiseawareness of the risks of illegal lending and ensure people know where to turn for help.Matt Dronfield, Managing Director of Debt Free Advice, said: “Illegal lenders often target people when they are at their most vulnerable. It’s importantpeople know that support is…
Read more
This Spring, Toynbee Hall is working with A Very English Chat to present “The Story of England in 50 Objects” on our Community Projector in Mallon Gardens. The project brings together a collection of 50 objects that have been chosen and co-created by people across England as part of a wider public campaign exploring national…
Read more
