HOME TO COCREATE HACKNEY & THE COMMUNITY CLOSET.
Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG)
Practical help. Real solutions. Zero judgement.
The CoHub provides accessible, trauma-aware Information, Advice & Guidance for Hackney residents navigating complex life pressures.
This service is designed for:
Residents seeking support
Working partners referring clients
Professionals looking for early intervention routes
Since opening in September 2025, we have already supported 150+ residents - having to increase our capacity to cope with demand.
This demonstrates both the scale and the number of people slipping through traditional systems.
What We Support With
- Council Tax arrears and enforcement
- Rent arrears and housing instability
- Housing disrepair and unsuitable accommodation
- Benefits applications and challenges
- Digital access and form completion
- ID and bank account support
- Debt signposting and affordability planning
- Disability related advocacy
- Energy & fuel poverty support
Our IAG offer includes:
Due to demand, we have now extended the service to a minimum of 10 appointments per week and brought in one of our experienced Community Shapers - a disability, SEN and housing specialist - to strengthen our capacity.
Why This Work Matters
Debt creates fear. People avoid opening letters. They avoid calls. They avoid the problem entirely.
1
3
Our role is to reduce that fear. We provide calm, personalised but structured support - breaking complex issues into manageable steps. Small interventions prevent larger crises.
Living in housing disrepair or unsuitable accommodation for years can quietly erode mental health, stability and confidence.
2
“
A resident walked in with long-term Council Tax debt and active enforcement concerns. Six weeks later, we had worked with the Council’s Stop the Knock team to clear the historic debt and agree a sustainable payment plan moving forward.
”
These are not dramatic rescue stories. They are simple, practical, steady interventions that restored stability in residents' lives.
Case Studies
“
A financially and digitally isolated single male had no access to benefits, no phone, or bank account for one year plus. By connecting him with a new phone and pre-paid SIM card, he was able to reactivate his benefits immediately.
”
“
“I walked in overwhelmed and walked out with everything in place. Proper life-changing support. Lovely people."
unpaid carer - complex debts
”
Partners & System Teams
Our IAG model reduces escalation by:
Intervening early
Supporting documentation and applications
Preventing enforcement action
Increasing benefit uptake
Improving housing stability & reduced impact to local services
We act as a trusted bridge between residents and statutory services.