Knock that brings help

Published: 13 May, 2011

• AS the new Mayor of Islington I will be raising money for the charity Connect/Help on your Doorstep, of which I am a trustee. 

The charity does what it says on the tin. In four areas of Islington, its workers and volunteers knock on every door to find people who for many reasons do not access local services – health, employment, training or debt, housing or immigration advice. 

It works with more than 150 partner organisations. I was astounded to learn that half of those whom it has helped had never accessed local services which were available. This is a vital aspect of the fairness agenda.

These are challenging times for our community; but in Islington we relish challenges. 

This will be a year when the community needs to stick together and work together; to find new ways of doing things, but to remember the borough’s motto – We Serve. I look forward to doing that.

I would like to congratulate Councillor Mouna Hamitouche on her brilliant year as mayor. She has raised more than £20,000 for Islington Play Association. 

Mouna brought her unique qualities to the job, reaching out to our diverse communities and opening up the parlour and the Town Hall to people from all background. I hope I can continue to do that.

CLLR PHIL KELLY
Town Hall, N1