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…
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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…
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The Government has today announced plans to reform council tax debt collection, following last year’s consultation on making the system fairer for households struggling to keep up with payments. The proposed changes are expected to give people more time before debts escalate, introduce a cap on additional costs, and strengthen expectations that councils offer realistic…
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To avoid receiving a lower rate of support, apply for the Universal Credit health element by April 5th. After that date, the support you may receive if eligible will be around £3,000 less on average per year. Our peer researchers have been pushing for an extension to the deadline for the cuts to the Universal Credit health element. While the…
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In Tower Hamlets, where nearly half the children are growing up in poverty, free child-focused services are essential for them and their families. Despite the challenges families face, in Tower Hamlets, childhood is full of imagination, creativity, and community. Families work hard to give their children the best start in life, balancing work, care, and home responsibilities.…
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The government’s 2025 Autumn Statement offered a recognition of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and included some positive steps to address it. Yet these sit alongside choices that continue to erode the foundations of a robust social security system capable of responding to that crisis. One genuinely welcome step was the decision to scrap the harmful…
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Tower Hamlets remains one of London’s most income-deprived boroughs, with over 40% of households living on low incomes. For residents, this is not simply a matter of finances – it’s about navigating multiple, overlapping challenges while trying to maintain stability, health, and family life. For advisers at Toynbee Hall’s Tower Hamlets Advice Service, their work provides essential support and breathing space, enabling…
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Last week, the government announced the launch of a new independent investigation into “…why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun—with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability.” The Terms of Reference (ToR) for this Independent Report into Young People and Work,…
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An independent review into the role of employers and government in tackling health-related economic inactivity and creating and maintaining healthy and inclusive workplaces, led by Sir Charlie Mayfield, acknowledges that ill-health and barriers to work contribute to economic inactivity. However, it engages only minimally with the social model of disability. The Review frames economic inactivity…
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This November, Toynbee Hall are proud to host the murder mystery, ‘Keepsake of a Killer’ an immersive theatrical experience that brings our rich history and ongoing social mission to life. Set within our historic Lecture Hall, the production explores themes of social reform, inequality, and justice through a gripping combination of drama and interactive storytelling.…
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