Our advice and advocacy‑led approach tackles the root causes of poverty and inequality, delivering measurable reductions in financial hardship while helping people build long‑term independence and resilience to thrive.
Our Impact in Numbers
- £618,993 secured in confirmed financial gains, strengthening household income and financial stability
- 957 people supported through advice and person‑centred services
- 104 benefit appeals submitted; 48 concluded during the year, with a 94% success rate
- 92% of total expenditure directed to frontline service delivery
Who We Supported
We reached people experiencing the greatest disadvantage:
- 91% Brent residents
- 96% from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
- 74% unemployed
- 61% identified as disabled
- 85% of working age
- 46% identified as women
- 9% required language‑specific support
This profile reflects a concentration of compounded disadvantage, requiring specialist, culturally competent, and sustained advice support.
Reaching Diverse Communities with High Levels of Need
BHCAC consistently engages communities disproportionately affected by inequality and economic insecurity.
In Brent, 96% of residents supported were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, compared to 84.8% of the borough’s general population, demonstrating strong and trusted community reach.
People supported came from a wide range ethnic backgrounds:
- Africa: 30%
- Asia: 22%
- Middle East: 19%
- Europe: 9%
- Western Balkans: 7%
- Caribbean: 7%
- British: 4%
- Other: 2%
Categories reflect self‑identified background and are indicative rather than exhaustive.
Reducing Poverty and Inequality
- 79% received support to secure welfare benefits, stabilising household income
- 10% received intensive, person‑centred support to overcome systemic barriers
- 11% received targeted housing advice to prevent homelessness
Welfare Benefit Rights Advice
756 welfare benefit advice cases supported
The high proportion of Universal Credit and PIP cases reflects ongoing systemic barriers within disability assessment and digital‑by‑default welfare systems.
Primary benefit areas supported:
- Universal Credit: 56%
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): 23%
- Resident Support Fund: 5%
- Council Tax Support/Reduction: 3%
- Housing Benefit: 2%
- Pension Credit: 2%
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): 2%
- Attendance Allowance: 2%
- Discretionary Housing Payment: 1%
- Carer’s Allowance: 1%
- Child Benefit: 1%
- Other benefits and support schemes: 2%
Source: AdvicePro case management and monitoring data, 2024–25.
The Difference Made -outcomes and learning
Economic security
- 87% increased household income
- 93% of budgeting workshop participants (n=11) improved budgeting confidence
System navigation
- 98% improved understanding of welfare rights
- 57% of Universal Credit training participants (n=7) improved their ability to manage UC online
- 86% of Universal Credit training participants (n=7) better understood claimant commitments
Capability and resilience
- 98% of participants attending weekly cafés and cultural events (n=85) reported reduced isolation and improved social connection
- 82% of budgeting workshop participants (n=11) reported increased financial literacy
Survey outcomes reflect responses from individuals completing case‑closure questionnaires, as well as feedback collected following training sessions and workshops.
Community Participation and Volunteering
Six volunteers contributed approximately 484 hours to social activities and community events during 2024–25, representing an estimated £9,680 in economic value and strengthening the BHCAC’s reach and community engagement.