An Islington charity has launched an appeal for funds as it warns it will struggle to meet demand due to the cost-of-living crisis. 

The Union Chapel, in Upper Street, has hosted the stars including Amy Winehouse, Adele, Michael Kiwanuka, Ed Sheeran and Celeste, but it also operates as The Margins Project, helping people experiencing homelessness and in crisis. 

The charity was established in 1992 and runs a crisis drop-in centre, offers housing and benefits advice, operates an employment training programme, and gives wellbeing support and mentoring. 

Michael Chandler, Union Chapel CEO, said: “We’re facing a perfect storm. The communities we support are experiencing extreme hardship, and the safe space, support and training opportunities our services and programmes provide is needed now more than ever and by more people than we’ve ever seen. We know this need is just going to rise over the coming months.

"Yet we’re also experiencing increased running costs, against decreased income from our venue, cafe and general fundraising. We’re enormously grateful to anyone that can donate, at what we know is a challenging time for many – and it’s great that any donation will be doubled too, so any money given goes that much further.”

Since 2020, the demand for Union Chapel’s services has more than doubled and the charity anticipates demand increasing substantially this winter.

In December, AVIVA Community Fund will match any donations (up to £250) 

To donate to the fundraiser go to:  www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/unionchapel