Elizabeth House’s Roshni Shah (left), Guilene Marco (second left), and Nathalie Renaud (in green) with NatWest’s Catherine van Weenan, Gideon Moore (back row) with volunteer John Dixon (centre) and Angel branch’s Selun Ullah and Nina Trivedy

“FOR me, it was more about getting out of the house and being social – and it’s just so good. This is a place you can come two times a week and get to know everybody, and you won’t be isolated at home.”

For Naz Butt, 61, discovering the women’s group at Elizabeth House last year, after 30 years living in Highbury, has been life changing. But she is one of more than 6,000 people who come through the community service’s doors each year.

On Monday NatWest’s Angel branch was on hand to present it with a big cheque. The donation, through the bank’s cost of living fund, came about thanks to John Dixon who works for the bank but also volunteers at the charity.

Roshni Shah, community coordinator, said: “We’re facing such a tough funding environment at the moment and then the need is obviously there and increasing. We need all the help we can get.”

Last month, the charity, which offers boxing for kids and IT lessons for young people, alongside a range of activities for all social groups, celebrated its 30th anniversary.