Introduction By Joe Irvin, OBE Chair Of Trustees We are delighted to be celebrating our I am confident that continuing to work with 50 years of service by Voluntary Action our local VCFS, our partners in the Council, Islington. For over five decades we have been Health authorities and charitable funders, supporting voluntary activity in the London as well as the many residents who volunteer Borough of Islington to benefit local residents. each year, we will once again show the VCFS at its best for many years to come. The past two years dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic have been tough for In this report we explain some of the work we everyone. But VAI and the local voluntary, have done in the past year and the beneficial community and faith sector stepped up to impact it has had on the local community. I meet this challenge – and ensured that the just want express massive thanks to everyone people that needed the help the most got it. - members, partners, supporters, volunteers, staff, and trustees- who have made As we emerge from this crisis, we face new that possible. demands arising from the cost-of-living crisis, societal divisions, refugees from war Joe Irvin OBE and poverty and increasing health concerns across all sections of our community. 4 Annual and Impact Report 21/22