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Dear Islington Carer,

Sharing the latest updates. guides and activities from Islington Carers Hub, Age UK Islington and other local organisations. Click on the links to access a wealth of resources and find out what's available to you here in Islington!

Sharing resources from Let's Talk: Saving Money on Energy Bills and applying for Pension Credit

In September, the Let’s Talk session featured talks on managing energy debt and reducing energy bills (SHINE). We also heard about the importance of Pension Credit - for those who are of state pension age who are on a low income (Income Maximisation Team). Click below for further details including the information shared at Let's Talk.

"Entering a world I didn't know existed"

When her partner had a stroke, Islington carer, Jackie's life changed overnight. Immersed into the role of a carer without warning, she faced shock, confusion and isolation. In this frank account, she reflects on the challenges of navigating care systems and having to make incredibly difficult decisions. 

Recalling her caring journey, Jackie highlights how vital the support of other carers has been - attending the monthly Carers for Carers meeting at the Duke of Cambridge. Click below to read her story.

Falls Awareness Week: 'Falls' don't need to be part of getting older

With a little awareness and a few simple changes, we can all feel steadier, safer, and more confident. One of the best things you can do is keep moving. Staying active helps you stay mobile, independent, and able to enjoy the things you love. Click below to find plenty of tips and guidance as well as some starting ideas to keep active - whether at home or at local classes.

Silver Sunday Week, 3rd to 10th October

Whether you’re looking to try a new activity, meet new people, or simply enjoy a day out, there’s still some remaining spaces for the Islington Silver Sunday Week - from guided walks to a special lunch and afternoon tea and a tour of Sadler's Wells for people living with dementia and their carers.

New Age UK Islington Get Together Newsletter - Oct to Dec 2025

The latest printable Get Together newsletter is here, with activities across Islington - from community centres to leisure centres and parks. It’s great for anyone without email, so if you can, please do share with any neighbours or friends.

CARERS GET TOGETHERS - exclusively for Islington Carers

Duke of Cambridge, 30 St Peter’s St, N1 8JT

Come along to meet with Islington carers in our monthly relaxed social gathering. There will be tea and coffee and volunteers Wendy, Stella and Liz will be there to meet you. Carefree will be coming along to let us know about short-breaks available for carers! Call Islington Carers Hub on 020 7281 3319 or click below to email to let us know you plan to come along.

Park Theatre - Carers Matinee

Thursday 16 October, 2pm, 3pm performance

13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP

Book to join us for our monthly Carers event at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. It's Pay What you Can (suggested £3). We kick off with teas and coffees on the first floor (accessible by lift) for an opportunity to meet other carers before the matinee performance. This month we will be watching the play The Woman.

Please note that as our tickets are part of the Pay-What-You-Can scheme, the box office is not able to indicate the size of our allocation till 24 hours before the performance. Occasionally we do not receive any places or only a very small number. We will confirm places on 15th in the afternoon.

Kew Gardens, Main Entrance - Victoria Gate, Kew Gardens, TW9 3JR

Join Chris and other carers for a leisurely walk through Kew Gardens and enjoy the Autumn colours. Chris will be following an established walk through the grounds leading you to a cafe for a drink. You are then free to spend further time and enjoy the beauty of Kew Gardens. 

St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, EC1V 8AJ

Join our Carers for Carers group in the south of the borough, at St Luke's. Carers have the opportunity to meet up with other carers - for a coffee and a chat. Nadine and Melissa, who are both carers, will be there to meet you! 

AGE UK ISLINGTON GET TOGETHERS

Let's Talk: Managing Pain Talk and Menopause Talk

Thursday 16 October, 10.30am - 1.45pm

Relaxed, social and informative - join us for a day of engaging talks and discussion, open to all Islington residents. Experts from UCLH Complex Pain Team will share tips for managing pain and how movement can help. In the afternoon, we will explore menopause - symptoms and what can help - important for anyone experiencing or supporting someone through menopause. See the Lets Talk poster and agenda. Booking essential.

Park Cuppa Special Edition with Planning for the Future

Cally Clock Tower Centre, N7 9HF

Wednesday 5 November, 11-12pm

Do you have questions about how to put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place? How about Wills or Funeral plans? Whatever your age and whatever your question, book for a space at this relaxed, informal session with the Age UK Islington Planning For the Future team. The team can answer questions and organise follow-up appointments to help you to put plans in place. Click below to book a place at the Park Cuppa.

ISLINGTON PARTNER EVENTS

Volunteering in the Community Course

Fridays 3 October – 12 December 10am-12noon

Voluntary Action Islington, 200a Pentonville Road, N1 9J

Would you like to volunteer in the community and improve your employability skills? Then join this amazing course covering all topics such as what is volunteering? How to apply for jobs and courses. Presenting yourself well to others and communication skills in a workplace.

For more information contact Alison on 07808 879044 or email alison.moore@islington.gov.uk.

The Garden Classroom Wellbeing Walks

Fridays, 3 to 24 October, 1.30-2.30pm

Discover your community green spaces this Autumn. Join Viv and Cat for gentle walks in nature. These walks are especially designed for anyone who would benefit from spending time outdoors. Accessible and open to all. Hot and cold drinks provided after the walk. Places can be booked on Eventbrite or just turn up.

Harvest Festival

Saturday 4 October 12-4pm

Community Plant Nursery, Tufnell Park Estate, N7 0EF

Come along to the Community Plant Nursery to celebrate this year’s harvest! There will be live music, harvesting, and the opportunity to build your own bird box and to learn about composting through their Upcycling Food project! For more information click below.

Reuse and Repair Fair

Saturday 4 October, 2–6pm

St Mary’s Church, Upper Street, N1 2TX

Come and get your household items fixed at the Repair Party. Repair specialists will help you fix your broken belongings. From tables to toasters, laptops, bike lights, furniture and clothes. Getting your items mended for free will help you save money, reduce waste, and extend the life of your belongings. All are welcome to meet, mingle and share in the fun of repair. It is a free, drop in event and you don’t need a ticket. Refreshments will be provided.

Art Appreciation In-Person Visit to the Sir John Soane Museum

Tuesday 9 October

Following a recent virtual tour, we are delighted to visit the Sir John Soane Museum in Holborn. Once home to neoclassical architect Sir John Soane, the museum houses treasures including Hogarth’s The Rake’s Progress, Canaletto, and J.M.W. Turner. The visit begins with a brief talk in the library-dining room, followed by self-guided exploration. Only 20 free tickets are available. If you would like receive further information on this visit, and to attend, please join Art Appreciation, by clicking below.

Singing for Wellbeing

Tuesday 7 Oct, 5 - 6.15pm

London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, N7 8DB 

OPEN TO ALL! No experience needed: Sing to have your spirits lifted, sing to meet new people, sing to have fun!

Make Your Own Poster of Compassion

Saturday 11 Oct 2025, 12–2pm

Ages 5+ (with adult), Free

London Museum Studios, Smithfield, First Floor, Studio Smithfield, 1 East Poultry Avenue, EC1A 9PT

Create a poster inspired by Transport for London designs, kindness on transport, and stories of lost property. Use paint, collage, and pastels to design your own “poster of compassion” - take it home or add it to the Traces exhibition. All materials provided.

Non Linear 2025 Creative + Digital Foundations Programme

Application deadline 10 October 2025

The programme is open for applications. Developed by UAL’s Creative Computing Institute and leading industry partners, this free hands-on programme is designed to help young creatives build skills, experience, and industry connections. To apply you must be aged 18–35 and living in Camden, Islington, or Hackney. Applicants who are unemployed, from low-income households, from global majority backgrounds, disabled, women, or non-binary are especially encouraged to apply.

Outdoor Gym

Saturday 11 October, 12 - 1pm

Caledonian Park, N7 9PL or Whittington Park, N19 4RE

Want to find out how to use the outdoor gym equipment in the park? Join a free session with a qualified fitness instructor to learn more. Meet at the outdoor gyms in either Caledonian Park or Whittington Park. No need to book.

Islington Giving’s 'Make It Happen' fund is open for applications!

Application deadline: Monday 13 October, 10am.

If you have an idea for a winter project/event or would like some inspiration from one of the many projects already funded through Make it Happen, please visit the webpage via the link below.

Black History Month Author Event

Wednesday 15 October, 6.30-7.30pm

Islington Central Library 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF

In 2015, Aamna Mohdin travelled to Calais to report on the refugee crisis. On her return to London, her parents surprised her by asking if she didn’t remember being a refugee herself? Her book, ‘Scattered’, is an investigation into the costs and consequences of displacement. It is also a story of returns and reunions and a celebration of family & belonging.

Apple Day Returns to Gillespie Park

Sunday 19 October, 12 - 4pm

Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, London N5 1PH

Hosted by Islington Ecology Centre and the Friends of Gillespie Park, come along to this free, family-friendly community event and help make and taste fresh apple juice, listen to live local bands, get your bike fixed with Dr Bike. There’ll also be craft activities, plus stalls from local makers and charities.

ADHD & Addiction Recovery Programme

Starting October 22nd, Mondays 2pm, Wednesdays 6pm and Saturdays 10am

Better Lives Centre, King Henry’s Walk, N1 4PB 

Run by the ADHD Action Network with NHS Better Lives, Islington Council and The Forward Trust, these small groups offer a safe space to connect and build coping tools. For a free place, click below.

Mindful Meditation

Wednesdays 2.15–3pm

Manor Gardens Centre, 6-9 Manor Gardens, N7 6LA 

Start your wellness journey with this mindful meditation session. Find balance, focus and renewal. Warm, comfy clothing required. For more information email michelle@manorgardenscentre.org

Reading Group for Black History Month

All Islington Libraries

Wednesdays, 2.15–3pm

Join us to explore James by Percival Everett, a powerful reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn told through the eyes of Jim, Huck’s enslaved sidekick. Free access is available to the ebook and audiobook via Borrow Box from 1st October to 29th November with your Islington Library card. Ask at your local library about meet-ups to discuss the book.

ISLINGTON PARTNER UPDATES

Step into work with North London NHS

Caring for someone who is 19-30, not in education, employment or training with the right to work in the UK? If they have a disability, long-term health condition, or neurodiversity and want to work for the NHS - The King's Trust has a free 8-week course designed to help you build confidence, gain employability skills, and explore real NHS career opportunities. They'll start with a taster day to meet your mentors, followed by 5 weeks of training and a 3-week NHS work placement. Click below to sgn-up for information.

Bags of Taste

Are you worried about the rising cost of food and how to eat healthily on a tight budget? Join a free cooking course and learn how to make delicious, healthy meals from all over the world, whilst saving money. All you need is a kitchen and a phone! For more information visit Bags of Taste

Do you have a legal problem you would like to run past a solicitor?

CityCLAC offer clients who cannot afford to pay free, confidential legal advice delivered by qualified lawyers, who are assisted by trained City law students. They offer advice in the areas of family law, consumer law, employment law, small business law, housing disrepair and allocations, personal injury, civil litigation as well as a Personal Independence Payment form filling service and initial advice on immigration. Click below to make an enquiry.

Healthy Minds Healthy Bods Healthpack - October 2025

See the Healthy Minds Healthy Bods 50 page Health Pack for this month, full of encouraging topics and features, news, jokes (occasionally funny), quizzes, a look back at a busy September for HMHB, new recipes Lazza cooked for the first time, exercises, stretches, places to visit in London, and much more.

Flu vaccines

Book your free flu vaccine now to stay protected this winter. Flu can be serious, especially if you’re pregnant or have a long-term condition. You’re eligible if you are under 65 with a long-term condition, 65 or over or pregnant, a main carer for an older or disabled person. Click below to book.

Contacting Islington Carers Hub

If you are in need of financial or practical guidance related to your wellbeing or for the person you care for, or simply need a listening ear, don't forget that you can call the Islington Carers Hub Helpline on 020 7281 3319 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) or email mailto:info@islingtoncarershub.org.