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Zacchaeus 2000 Trust

Address

10 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 0QP

Phone

020 72590801

Beneficiaries

  • Disabled people
  • People with learning disabilities
  • Carers
  • People with mental health issues
  • Homeless people
  • Other

Activities

  • Advocacy/representation
  • Campaigning
  • Providing accommodation
  • Welfare and benefits casework

Description

No one chooses to live in poverty, yet 1 in 4 Londoners now do so, that’s 2.3 million people. For those Z2K help, poverty means not being able to pay their rent, their bills and even sometimes food and basic necessities. All of our clients face insecurity and uncertainty, and experience daily struggles of stress and barriers such as the social security system. Ever increasingly, individuals find themselves without the basic income to live a standard, dignified life. The social security system is meant to be a safety net to prevent people from falling into poverty, however, for many it has become a barrier to leading a life away from poverty. Poverty restricts people’s options, and many rely on a social security system that is over-complicated and hard to access. Additionally, many social and private renters see shortfalls between housing benefits and the rent they have to pay. This increases poverty and may lead to increased food insecurity. Z2K (Zacchaeus 2000 Trust) is an anti-poverty charity that combines direct help for people across London, particularly in Westminster (where we are based), with national campaigning to fight for a welfare benefits system that works. We believe that a secure income and stable housing are key to preventing homelessness and improving life chances for people and their families. Our direct support includes: • Casework: homelessness prevention and 1-to-1 support/advocacy to access entitled benefits • Benefit appeals: representation at tribunal level to appeal negative benefits decisions • Housing: Private Rented Sector Access Scheme brokering tenancies between landlords and people • Advocacy: local authority decisions for families placed out of borough • Wrap around: workshops, such as budgeting and money management, help with form-filling and additional support such as referrals to mental health providers and access to small grants Our services are open to people across London where there are particular pockets of deprivation; however approx. 70% of our clients come from Westminster. Last year, we supported 1,222 clients and 1,336 cases. Our clients, their needs, voices and lived experiences are at the heart of everything we do. We listen to people, remind them that they matter and that they can live fulfilling lives.