Islington buzzes with community spirit, and nowhere is this more evident than in the incredible charitable organisations transforming lives every single day.
From addressing food poverty to supporting mental health, these remarkable groups are weaving magic throughout our borough.
Their dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to helping others showcase the very best of what makes Islington special.
Let’s celebrate five extraordinary charities whose impact ripples far beyond their immediate reach, creating waves of positive change that strengthen our entire community and remind us all of the power of collective action.
Picture a network where every charitable pound finds its perfect match, where local needs meet generous hearts, and where community giving becomes an art form. That’s exactly what Islington Giving delivers with stunning effectiveness. This brilliant organisation operates as the borough’s charitable matchmaker, connecting donors with causes that matter most.
What sets Islington Giving apart is their deep understanding of local challenges. They don’t just distribute funds randomly; they strategically invest in projects that address genuine community needs. Whether supporting youth programs, tackling homelessness, or boosting educational opportunities, their grants create lasting transformation.
Their innovative approach includes everything from crowdfunding campaigns to corporate partnerships. They’ve mastered the art of storytelling, helping smaller charities communicate their impact in ways that resonate with potential supporters.
Through their platform, a local food bank can reach new donors, a youth club can expand its programs, and families facing hardship can access emergency support.
The saying “it takes a village to raise a child” comes alive through Local Village Network, where community spirit transforms young lives across London. This remarkable organisation believes that every young person deserves access to positive networks and equal opportunities to reach their full potential while feeling genuinely valued in society.
Their mentoring programmes create powerful connections between young people and caring adults who provide guidance, support, and real-world insights. In the 2023 academic year, 1,292 young people were able to participate in their mentoring programmes across 18 schools in 10 London boroughs. These numbers tell a story of incredible reach and impact.
What makes Local Village Network particularly effective is their comprehensive approach to youth development. They don’t just offer one-off interactions; they create sustained relationships that help young people build networks, discover opportunities, and map out futures filled with meaningful employment possibilities.
Their work bridges the gap between education and employment by connecting students with businesses, providing work experience opportunities, and helping young people understand the pathways available to them.
Sometimes the most profound help comes in the simplest forms, and Help on Your Door Step embodies this truth perfectly. This grassroots organisation aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Islington, especially those who are vulnerable and isolated.
Working with residents they seek to find solutions to the issues which make life difficult, strengthen communities to do more for themselves and enable people to improve their life chances. By identifying people who may be at risk, they provide early support to prevent the need for later crisis interventions.
Their ‘Connect Service’ helps spread awareness of and access local services. This includes services that tackle everything from grocery shopping for housebound residents to accompanying people to medical appointments. These services help with form-filling, provide transportation, and offer companionship during difficult transitions.
Their work as the middle-man, helps people understand new services as well as giving them willingness to use the programmes that they need. So while their work seems straightforward, their impact is immeasurable.
Mental health support takes on new meaning at The Maya Centre, where women from diverse backgrounds find sanctuary, understanding, and pathways to healing. This exceptional organisation recognises that traditional therapy models don’t always serve everyone equally, particularly women from marginalized communities.
Their culturally sensitive approach breaks down barriers that often prevent women from seeking help. By offering services in multiple languages and creating safe spaces where cultural backgrounds are celebrated rather than overlooked, The Maya Centre reaches women who might otherwise struggle in silence.
Their programs span individual counseling, group therapy sessions, and creative workshops that use art, movement, and storytelling as healing tools. What makes them truly special is their holistic view of wellness, understanding that mental health intertwines with housing, employment, family relationships, and community belonging.
The centre’s impact extends beyond individual healing. By supporting mothers, they strengthen families. By empowering women professionally, they contribute to economic growth. Their ripple effect demonstrates how investing in women’s mental health benefits entire communities.
Go Dharmic aspires to be a force for good around the world!
With bases in England, USA, Scotland and India, this volunteer oriented charity is led by the general Hindu principle of Dharma, meaning “Love for all beings”. Globally, they have set up campaigns varying from feeding projects, setting up libraries in schools around the world, spreading hygiene awareness, planting trees and more.
Now, based in our very own BDC, their UK campaigns range from projects distributing meals, going green initiatives, sustainability values and crisis response awareness. Inspired by their Dharmic principles they’ve worked tirelessly to create a world where individuals can come together to create positive change in their lives and their communities.
These five organisations demonstrate how charitable work in Islington operates as an interconnected ecosystem. Their combined efforts address multiple aspects of community wellbeing, from immediate practical needs to long-term social cohesion. Each charity strengthens the others, creating a network of support that makes our borough more resilient, inclusive, and hopeful.
Their success stories remind us that positive change happens through persistent, caring action by ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
Visit their websites to discover how you can contribute to making Islington an even better place to live. Every action, no matter how small, creates positive change that strengthens our entire community together.
