Toynbee Hall

Five national award nominations for Toynbee Hall and its Debt Free Advice partnership

Toynbee Hall and the Debt Free Advice partnership have been shortlisted for five national charity awards, recognising our approach to tackling poverty and financial insecurity through advice, community programmes, research, innovation and partnership. The nominations span two of the charity sector’s most respected awards programmes – the Charity Times Awards 2026 and the Third Sector Awards 2026 – marking another landmark year for Toynbee Hall. …
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Toynbee Hall announces Board leadership transition

Toynbee Hall has announced a planned transition in the leadership of its Board of Trustees, with Alice Gac appointed Chair of Trustees and Thomas Nowacki appointed Deputy Chair, following the completion of Stephen Burns’ three-year term as Chair. The appointments mark the next stage in Toynbee Hall’s long-term governance development, providing continuity of leadership as…
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20 Years of Changing Lives Through Debt Advice

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…
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Debt Free Advice partnership led by Toynbee Hall wins national innovation award for improving debt advice

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…
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Bringing the Reality of Debt Into the National Conversation

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…
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Two older women stretching and dancing in a hall with one man playing the drums.

Celebrating 20 years of LinkAge Plus

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…
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Toynbee Hall appoints Matt Dronfield as Interim Chief Executive

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…
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Renters’ rights have changed: what this means for you

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…
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Invisible Illness, Visible Inequality

“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…
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Two Child Limit changes: four things you can do now if you may be affected

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…
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