About us
Connect began as EC1 Connect in 2005. The project was started and funded by the EC1 New Deal for Communities programme. In 2008, EC1 Connect was awarded Neighbourhood Renewal Project of the Year at the Regeneration and Renewal awards. Judges praised the project as “highly innovative” and “very professional”.


In 2009 the service was expanded to Finsbury Park (funded by Homes for Islington) and Canonbury (funded by NHS Islington and the Cripplegate Foundation).

Connect works by contacting residents directly through systematic door-knocking on social housing estates. Connect advisors talk to residents of all ages about issues affecting their lives and puts them in touch with agencies that can provide support. Three weeks later, the Connect advisor contacts the agency and the client to confirm that contact took place and to make sure that the support or advice provided was valuable.
 
It is this tenacious approach that makes the service so effective.
 
Initially focused on tackling unemployment, the project evolved to deal with a broad range of issues including training, benefits advice, help for older people, child care, small business support, housing, volunteering and health.
 
The project depends on the involvement of over 50 partner agencies, some of whom accompany the advisors on their door-knocking. Referrals to services are made on the doorstep, and Connect has offices which are open to the public in EC1, Finsbury Park and Canonbury.

If you would like to find out more about EC1 Connect, download this May 2008 report.
© Connect 2010