Islington Giving

120% more likely to be Neet than the national average.” That’s the reality facing young people in Islington – the third highest rate in the UK.

Alan Milburn’s recent interim report on young people not in education or employment (Neet) paints a sobering picture of a growing youth employment crisis. 

In Islington, a borough often seen as hugely affluent, 43% of children are living in poverty. Young people here are 120% more likely than average to be Neet, the third highest likelihood in the UK, according to the Youth Jobs Gap report published by Impetus last year. 

The report makes clear what we and our community partners see every day: the issue is structural. Most young people who are Neet want to work, what they lack is access, support and opportunity.

Our Jobs Placement Programme, generously funded by Macquarie Group since 2021, demonstrates that when these elements are put in place – through paid work, trusted relationships, employer engagement and tailored support – young people can and do move into sustainable employment.

At the same time, subsidised placements reduce risk for businesses, and the programme has proven effective in encouraging employers to engage with talent they may previously have overlooked. 

🔗 Read the full article on our website at the link in our comments

A huge thank you to Macquarie for funding this work and to all the local businesses who have taken on young people, including: Open I B Corp, ProCeption (via Derwent), Almeida Theatre, Into Games, Voices Radio, Woodburner music, Genuine Dining, dMFK and Paragon UK, and paid IT support roles with local SMEs and community centres, including Stopwatch, Mara Facility Services, Ravens Wood School, Azzuri Group and Employability Solutions.

📷 Photos: Open Creates | Young Jobs programme

Islington Refugee Week: 15th-21st June 2026 💜

Refugee Week 2026 takes place from 15–21 June, celebrating the courage, creativity, and contributions of refugees worldwide.

At a time when many communities are experiencing division, uncertainty and rising hostility, Refugee Week offers an important opportunity to come together, build connections and celebrate what we have in common.

Across Islington, a diverse programme of free events and activities will take place throughout the week. From community meals and film screenings to DJ and drumming workshops, a jazz concert, storytelling sessions, coffee mornings and creative arts activities, there is something for everyone.

The Jean Stokes Community Centre will host a “Wall of Food Stories”, alongside a series of webinars and training sessions for staff and volunteers supporting refugees and people seeking asylum.

For 28 years, Refugee Week has brought people together through art, culture, food, film, music, sport and conversation. It’s a chance to meet neighbours, hear new perspectives, experience different cultures and celebrate the connections that unite us.

To explore the full programme of events, visit the Borough of Sanctuary website via the link in our comments.

💜 An impactful year with the Mayor of Islington! 💜

Over the past year, we’ve been incredibly proud to be the former Mayor of Islington Jason Jackson’s Charity of the Year 2025-2026. 

From celebrating local action and volunteering alongside residents and supporters, advocating for young people’s mental health and opportunities including Young Black men’s mental health, to bringing people together through fundraising, business and community events including the spectacular Mayor’s Charity Gala – it’s been a year to remember! 🎉

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of the Mayor and his team, and proud that together we’ve raised vital funds to support local people, strengthen grassroots organisations and help build a more equal Islington.🙏

A huge thank you to Cllr Jason Jackson and the team, for your invaluable support and partnership this year – it’s been a real pleasure working with you! 💜

We’d also like to congratulate Cllr Rosaline Ogunro on becoming the new Mayor of Islington for 2026-27 – and we look forward to working with Cllr Jason Jackson in his new role overseeing Homes and Neighbourhoods.

Read our round-up of a memorable year with the Mayor of Islington at the link in our bio or stories.

A warm welcome to all our new followers!👋🏼💜

We’re grateful to have you here.

Islington is an incredible place to live, work and connect. But alongside all the opportunities our borough offers, many people face significant challenges, and Islington remains one of the most unequal places in the country.

That’s where the Islington Giving community comes in.

We bring together local people, businesses and organisations to create positive change in our community.

Together, we raise funds, back inspiring local projects, build connections and support community-led solutions that make a real difference.

Our vision is simple: an Islington where everyone can live a good life.

Whether you’d like to donate, collaborate, partner with us, share your skills or simply learn more about what’s happening locally, there’s a place for you in our community.

Get in touch with our team today – we’d be happy to connect.

📷 Cover photo: “Rooftop Expressions” event by Deannia, a member of the Islington Giving Alumni at St Luke’s Community Centre



Tell us more - how do imagine being involved with Islington Giving? ⤵️

We are thrilled to announce that have committed £500,000 over the next five years to create opportunities for young people in Islington and Haringey! 🎉

Islington Giving and will each receive £250,000 over a five-year period to support young people in their boroughs.

Joanna Keefe, Global Corporate Responsibility Manager at Linklaters will also join the Islington Giving Board alongside other Coalition Partners, helping to pool expertise, share learning and shape our priorities as an organisation. 

This long-term partnership demonstrates Linklaters’ commitment to communities in the Borough of islington, and provides security and stability for us to continue to develop our work and shift decision-making power into the hands of more local young people.

“We are delighted to be working with Linklaters over the next five years to support youth-led decision making in our borough. The funding will contribute to our Young Grant Makers programme, creating the opportunity for 12 young people each year to shape how resources are used locally to support their peers…” ~ Sarah Benioff, Islington Giving CEO

We’re incredibly grateful to Linklaters, the , and our other supporters, whose funding gave the Young Grant Makers £195,000 to invest in local projects in 2025/26

Read the full article on our website at the link in our bio or stories.

The Festival of Learning programme is now live! 🎉

This year’s Festival will explore how funders can strengthen justice, solidarity and social cohesion in a time of growing division; build community wealth and power in a new era of devolution; and create a funding ecosystem that is more connected, responsive and driven by what communities need.

Our parent charity ’s session on 16 June will focus on the Endowments Investing Challenge.

For many endowed funders, investment decisions and grantmaking can feel like separate conversations. But what becomes possible when funders work together to align investments with their social purpose?

You’ll also hear directly from a member of the Future Generations Panel, who will share their experience of advising participating charities and challenging asset managers on long-term values, social impact and accountability.

🗓️ 16 June | 12:00–13:00

🔖 Book your place at the link in our bio or stories.

Great to be at the Common Ground conference today alongside partners and changemakers from across the country for an inspiring conversation on the power of place-based giving.

We were proud to hear from Deannia from our Islington Giving Alumni, whose reflections helped ground the conversation in what community-led change really looks and feels like in practice.

An excerpt from Deannia’s spoken word reads:

“Place Based Giving brings residents, businesses, and local groups together to change their neighbourhoods. Everybody’s got something to give time, skills, money and when we pool it all, we help people turn their ideas into action.” 💜

We’ve explored the systems shaping place today, the history, pressures and what it takes to build real community power, as well as the power of participatory grantmaking.

Thank you to our coalition partner for hosting.

Huge congrats to for winning the Premier League!🏆

22 years later since the Invincible’s triumph in 2003-04, Arsenal have once again brough the Premier League title back to North London.

To everyone associated with Arsenal FC and our local community partners: , , and the whole of Islington on this historic achievement. Islington is proud of you! ❤️

Could your business turn this historic moment into something powerful for our community too? 🤩

Whether it’s donating a portion of profits from a day of sales or running a fundraiser for Islington Giving, get in touch if you’d like to get involved. We’d love to hear from you.

Thank you to for your support already!

“A safe place to land”: what’s the link between mental health and housing? 🏡 💚

This week on and following
, we spoke with Jamie from Stonewall Housing, one of our local partners, about the deep connection between mental health and housing – and why having somewhere safe to live can be the foundation for everything else.

“At Stonewall Housing, we see every day just how tightly mental health and housing are linked. Without somewhere safe and stable to live, it’s incredibly hard for people to focus on their wellbeing…

But when that foundation is there we see people grow in resilience, confidence and independence. That’s why our work isn’t just about housing. It’s about creating environments where people feel safe, supported and able to move forward.”

Read the full article on our website and at the link in our stories 🔗