Written by: Nadoya Reid, Communications and Information Officer
ALP wins prestigious award at Advising Londoners Awards
The Advising Londoners Partnership (ALP) was awarded the Best Pan-London advice service on 18th November at the Advising Londoners Awards.
ALP is a strategic collaboration between the Greater London Authority (GLA), London Legal Support Trust (LLST), and the London Citizens Advice network in response to the cost-of-living crisis. This initiative is funded by the GLA, through LLST and the Citizens Advice network, and works with 41 frontline organisations across London to increase advisor capacity and extend the reach of free legal advice across the sector.
Since its inception in 2022, the ALP project has had a profound impact. Over 30 months, over £40m has been generated in income for Londoners. ALP has helped more than 85,000. It has provided 206 Advice First Aid courses delivered to over 3000 people from more than 500 community agencies, increasing knowledge of social welfare rights, resources and options.
Nezahat Cihan, CEO of LLST, said: “We are delighted that the critical work done by our advice partners in Advising Londoners Partnership has been recognised with this award. We are thankful for all the work they do across the capital. The best pan-London award recognises the value of a sector-wide collaboration in ensuring Londoners facing legal and financial challenges can access the help they need”
In addition to supporting Londoners, ALP explores ways to support the advice workforce and ultimately improve the sector. This year, the partnership also commissioned a new report, Stepping off the Hamster Wheel, which tackles burnout and retention in the advice sector. The report, authored by Jo Hickman, highlights the “relentless busyness” many advice workers feel and makes practical, evidence-based recommendations for change at organisational and sector levels.
The awards ceremony, presented by the Advice Services Alliance (ASA) in partnership with University House and hosted by Clifford Chance LLP at their Canary Wharf office, had 8 award categories and a special ‘Bennett Award’.
This award underscores the vital importance of free legal advice, the dedication of frontline advisers to safeguard their clients’ dignity, and the difference LLST’s grant-making, sector support, and advocacy makes across the free legal advice sector.