Toynbee Hall

📢 Job Alert In our 140th anniversary year, we're looking for a new Data Insight Manager to help us build on our legacy and support people facing poverty and inequality today. Check out this permanent opportunity on our website. The application deadline is on 17 January 2025.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) Debt Advice Impact Report 2023/24, shared just before Christmas, is packed with stories of hope and resilience. It highlights the life-changing impact of MaPS-funded debt advice services across England, including the fantastic work of Debt Free Advice here in London. Led by Toynbee Hall, our coalition provides vital support to thousands of individuals each year, empowering them to regain control of their finances. One example is Fatima’s story, featured in the report. A single mother in London facing £15,000 of debt and struggling with severe mental health challenges, she turned to Debt Free Advice. Through a combination of tailored support and practical solutions, including a Debt Relief Order, Fatima not only became debt-free but found hope and stability for herself and her family. Her words say it all: “I would not have been here today without your assistance. You didn’t just help with my debts—you helped me see hope again.” Innovations like our Video Advice Kiosks have also made a significant difference, bringing professional debt advice into trusted spaces like job centres and prisons. Seeing this initiative recognised with the Best Service Delivery Innovation award at the Third Sector Awards 2024 was a proud moment for all of us. Beyond London, the report shows how the sector’s collective efforts helped over 623,000 people last year, identifying £48 million in additional income for clients and fostering resilience in communities nationwide. I’m proud to be part of this work and grateful to my Debt Free Advice colleagues for their dedication and innovation. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading the report to see the sector’s collective impact. 📖 Read the full report on the MaPS website: https://lnkd.in/emzwGFYJ.

Happy New Year. Wishing those we support, and those who support us, a positive year ahead. January can be a difficult month though. Our debt, legal, advice and community services will be opening again shortly. We aim to tackle unfairness and to ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive in 2025. https://buff.ly/3VXmSDi #2025 #Happy #Thrive

📢 Thinking about a new role in a new year? We're looking for a new Trusts and Grants Manager and a Digital Engagement Officer. Would you like to join our Toynbee Hall team? Check out these two permanent opportunities on our website. The application deadline for both is 9am on 2 January 2025. https://buff.ly/3JRygdF #Trusts #Grants #Digital #Jobs

Today is Christmas Eve—and the official 140th birthday of Toynbee Hall. I can’t think of a more fitting moment to share this video, celebrating the legacy of an organisation that has stood in the heart of East London since 1884. Over the decades, Toynbee Hall’s doors have been open to everyone—offering free debt and legal advice, bringing communities together, and tackling poverty at its roots. From the earliest social reforms to the life-changing work we do today, our story continues to be shaped by the people we serve and the partnerships we forge. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿? Because no one should face life’s toughest challenges alone. Whether it’s helping a single parent with debt, providing benefits advice to someone who’s just been diagnosed with a terminal illness, or giving local young people a space to be heard—Toynbee Hall is here. In this video, you’ll meet some of the individuals who embody Toynbee Hall’s spirit of resilience and compassion. Their stories remind us that 140 years on, our mission remains as urgent as ever. Later today—at 4pm—our services will close for the Christmas break. When we return in January, it’ll mark the start of my seventh year at Toynbee Hall, and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside so many passionate, dedicated colleagues. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Together, we’re shaping what the next 140 years will look like—continuing to stand beside those who need support, and championing the belief that poverty should never hold anyone back. Please watch, share, and let me know your thoughts in the comments. Here’s to 140 years of impact… and the promise of so much more. #ToynbeeHall #140Years #SocialImpact #CommunitySupport #MerryChristmas

Our debt, legal and other advice services, and our community centre activities, will be closing shortly. Thank you for your support and participation in this, our 140th anniversary year. We’ll be resuming regular – and some new – activities on 2nd or 6th January 2025. Find out more on our website https://buff.ly/3BHTaeq

📢 Job Alerts In our 140th anniversary year, we're looking for a new Trusts and Grants Manager and a Digital Engagement Officer to help us build on our legacy and support people facing poverty and inequality today. Check out these two permanent opportunities on our website. The application deadline for both is 9am on 2 January 2025. https://buff.ly/3JRygdF #Trust #grants #digital #engagement

"You didn’t just help with my debts - you helped me see hope again." Read how our Debt Free Advice advisors made help accessible for Fatima, a British single parent, in the 2023-2024 debt advice impact report of the @Money and Pensions Service https://buff.ly/3DGpHC4 #debt advice #debt #financialwellbeing

After celebrating our 140th anniversary, we continued the week on another high with the Toynbee Hall & Debt Free Advice Awards, followed by a fantastic end-of-year dinner, bringing together colleagues from all our services to reflect, connect, and celebrate an incredible year. It was a wonderful moment of togetherness and gratitude, showcasing the incredible team spirit that drives everything we do. These awards honoured the people who make everything possible—those whose dedication, innovation, and compassion leave a lasting impact on the lives of those we support. And yes, I even dusted off my sparkly sequin jacket for the occasion—it only comes out once a year and definitely gives Strictly a run for its money! ✨ 🏆 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: Justyna A (Citizens Advice Hammersmith & Fulham): Known for her empathy, expertise, and mentoring, Justyna empowers clients to regain financial control. 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: Delwar P (Toynbee Hall): With 1,900+ inbound calls handled this year, Delwar’s dedication is unmatched! 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: Shola V (Nucleus Legal Advice Centre): A collaborative star who strengthens her team while delivering excellent advice. 𝗗𝗲𝗯𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿:  RCJ Advice & Law Centre: Celebrated for their peer mentoring, positivity, and client success stories. 💡 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯: These advisors achieved 100% on their externally assessed quality assessments: • Justyna A (Citizens Advice Hammersmith & Fulham) • Dawn M (Citizens Advice Westminster) • Julian V (Mary Ward Legal Centre) • Nana G (RCJ Advice) • Monica G (Citizens Advice Lewisham) • Nawal E (Citizens Advice Westminster) 🏆 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 Highlighting the incredible individuals who embody Toynbee Hall’s values of empowerment and collaboration: 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: Kiran H: Her excellent rapport with clients and outstanding tribunal wins make a life-changing difference. 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: Helen E: A shining example of unwavering positivity and dedication to both clients and colleagues. 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: Lottie D: As my PA, Lottie keeps everything running smoothly while supporting teams across Toynbee Hall. 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: Jobrul I: Fresh ideas, adaptability, and a mission-driven mindset have made Jobrul a standout addition to our team. Here’s to finishing the year on a high—and looking ahead to an even brighter 2025!

🎄🗓️ 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙭 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙮... This lunchtime, I joined BBC Radio London with Shay Kaur Grewal to discuss the challenges many Londoners face during the festive period and how the new year often brings even greater financial strain. With water bills set to rise by an average of £86 next year and a predicted 17% increase in debt advice demand this January, it’s a stark reminder of how tough this time of year can be for so many. In the interview, I shared practical tips to help manage finances during the festive season, including: 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝘁: Focus on essentials like rent and bills. 𝗕𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Avoid borrowing for non-essentials, and if you must use credit, have a clear plan to repay it. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁-𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴: Thoughtful, handmade gifts or a Secret Santa exchange can mean just as much as expensive items. 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Services like Debt Free Advice can help you navigate rent arrears, council tax debts, or credit card challenges. 📞 If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t wait—reach out to our team on 0800 808 5700. We’re open 8am–8pm, 7 days a week, including right now. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts: How are you managing the festive season financially this year? What strategies work for you to stay on top of rising costs? Let’s start the conversation below. ⬇️