Fusion21 Foundation awards £49,600 to London Legal Support Trust for social welfare advice strategy
The Fusion21 Foundation has awarded £49,600 to London Legal Support Trust to facilitate the process of developing a London-wide Advice Strategy under the Advice Workforce Development Fund (AWDF), a pooled fund that was set up to respond to advice workforce crisis in London. Partners involved in this partnership include funders, infrastructure organisations, advice agencies at all levels. The aim of the strategy is to improve access to high-quality social welfare advice and create a more coordinated, sustainable advice system across the capital.
Social welfare advice can include support on issues such as housing, welfare benefits, debt, employment and other legal or financial challenges that affect people’s day-to-day lives.
Why is the strategy needed?
Demand for advice services in London is increasing, driven by the cost-of-living crisis and rising inequality.
Many Londoners are currently unable to access the support they need, while providers face growing pressure from funding constraints, workforce challenges and more complex cases.
This has created challenges across the system, with access to advice varying depending on location and provision.
The strategy will bring together local and national advice organisations, funders, local authorities, health services and people who use advice services to develop a more coordinated and sustainable approach.
It will focus on improving access to services, strengthening collaboration across the sector and supporting longer-term solutions.
What will the strategy focus on?
Key areas of focus include:
- Improving access to advice services across London
- Strengthening collaboration across statutory, local, and community providers
- Supporting more sustainable funding models
- Investing in workforce development for advice organisations
Engagement with people who use advice services will be central, ensuring lived experience helps shape how support is designed and delivered.
How will Fusion21 Foundation funding support the work?
Fusion21 Foundation's £49,600 funding will support the research, consultation and collaboration needed to develop the strategy, including engagement with organisations and communities across London.
Jo Hannan, Head of the Fusion21 Foundation, said: “Access to high-quality advice plays a vital role in helping people navigate financial challenges and protect their rights.
“By supporting this work, we’re investing in a long-term approach that will help strengthen advice services across London and ensure they are more accessible, connected and sustainable.”
Nezahat Cihan, Chief Executive Officer of the London Legal Support Trust said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from Fusion21 on behalf of the Strategy Action Group, a group of stakeholders from the advice sector that oversees strategy development. The group is keen to incorporate lived experience to shape the strategy's development, and this funding will help us bring those voices to the heart of the strategy. Our thanks go to Fusion21 trustees and staff team for understanding the value of advice services and contributing to this very crucial piece of work.”
The strategy will provide a shared direction for organisations delivering social welfare advice across the capital. By helping organisations work more effectively together, it aims to create a more resilient, sustainable ecosystem for individuals and communities accessing advice and support.