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Dear Islington resident,

Hoping you've been enjoying the slightly longer brighter days! Sharing upcoming events, activities and resources for April and some inspirational stories from local residents!

International Women's Day at Highbury Roundhouse 

Age UK Islington and Highbury Roundhouse clients celebrated International Women's Day last month with a morning of poetry, music and discussion. Islington Women and Girl's Champion, Councillor Saiqa Pandor, shared an empowering speech. See a video along with poems and reflections shared by other Islington residents on the day - click below.

Let's Talk March - sharing resources and videos

Last month’s Let’s Talk focused on dealing with anti-social behaviour. We heard from the Islington Council about what it is, how to report it, and ways to cope with and address it. 

The afternoon introduced employment support in Islington including a programme from The Council that offers free support for people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, older residents or others who are experiencing barriers to work, called Connect to Work.

Weren't able to attend? Click below to watch videos of the talks, along with the slides and contact details for services, shared on the day.

An Islington Resident's Journey with Adult Community Learning

Adult Community Learning offers free, local courses for residents aged 19+, designed to build skills, boost confidence and open pathways into employment. Click below to hear Islington resident Ziniada share her experience of taking courses that improved her English and helped her develop skills for a career in healthcare. 

AGE UK ISLINGTON GET TOGETHERS

This month, hear from the Islington Food Partnership and Octopus about how to reduce your weekly food budget. We'll also hear from London Fire Brigade about home safety, reducing the risk of fire and in-person visits.
Booking essential - click below to request a place!

Summer Heatwaves Discussion

Wednesday 22 April, 11am-12pm

Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF

Join us for a lively discussion on how people stay cool during heatwaves, here and around the world. Explore practical, creative ways to keep cool, shaped by your experiences. Share stories, learn from others, and discover new ideas together. The session will help inspire a future Islington Life article for local readers.

Park Cuppa Special: Chair Yoga

Wednesday 29 April, 11am-12pm

Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF

Please join us for a calming session of chair yoga and gentle stretches with Pesh from Age UK. Pesh will guide you through safe seated stretches while also helping you calm your mind with gentle words and mindful exercises. Booking essential - click below to request a place.

Tech Break (Online using Zoom)

Friday 10 April, 12-1pm

Discover how to make the most of your smartphone, tablet or laptop with our friendly online tech group! This month learn how to use AI for easy photo editing with knowledgeable volunteer Simon. Click below to request a Zoom link to join via your digital device from home.

Autism and Learning Disabilities Event

Tuesday 21 April, 10.30am-1.30pm

Upper Holloway Baptist Church, 11 Tollington Way, N7 6RG

During World Autism Awareness Month, learn about support for autism and learning disabilities from local organisations. The session, run by Islington Carers Hub and Centre 404, will include talks, information stalls and lunch and refreshments. Booking essential! Contact  020 7281 3319 / email

info@islingtoncarershub.org or click below.

Tech, Tea and Biscuits, in partnership with PPCP
Mondays 1pm, 2pm (back on 14th April)
Dame Geraldine Hall, 6-9 Manor Gardens, London N7 6LA
Get help using your smartphone, tablet, laptop from a knowledgeable, patient and friendly member of the Tech, Tea and Biscuits team. They can help you with things that you’re struggling to do, as well as guide you through getting started using tech. Book an appointment online or call them on 020 3928 9370.

ORGANISED BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS

Carers Active Together 

Carers Active Together is a day of national action (15th April) all about promoting movement, wellbeing and the power of community for unpaid carers across the country. Join Carers UK by being active - whether that’s something gentle at home, joining an online session, going for a short walk or taking part in a local activity. Register to be part of Carers Active Together by filling in the form below!

Better Health UK has a special Carers Membership which costs £34 per month on direct debit. This includes access to gym, swimming and fitness classes. Find out more on the Better website.

Central Library Over 60s Group

Wednesday 1 April 11am-12pm

Central Library, 2 Fieldway Cres, London N5 1PF

Join a monthly, welcoming group and take part in themed sessions. This month, play a part in a murder mystery activity! No booking required! 

For more information, call Central Library at 020 7527 6900.

Cubitt Community Press Think-in: Community Map

Saturday 4 April, 1pm-4pm

8 Angel Mews, London, N1 9HH No previous experience necessary! Join Cubitt Community Press to help create a community newsletter that includes a community map of resources, memories and mutual aid projects in Islington. Learn more about the project, get to know the press and meet people from the community. Book below!

Bikeworks All Ability Club

Mondays 6, 13, 20, 27 April, 10am-12pm

Highbury Hill, London N5 1AL (Northern end of Highbury Fields, by the netball Courts)

Bikeworks All Ability Club offers free drop-in cycling sessions at Highbury Fields. Sessions take place off-road in a relaxed and supportive environment, and are offered on a varied fleet of cycles including standard two-wheelers and a range of specialist cycles, allowing people with different abilities to take part. Click below and select 'Islington'.

Green Guardians Free Community Gardening

Tuesdays 7, 14, 21, 28 & Wednesdays 8, 15, 22, 29 April, 10am-12pm

Market Road Garden, N7 9PW

Spend time planting, weeding, watering, chatting and enjoying the spring sun on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. It's a great way to spend time outside in nature, meet new people and make a difference to your neighbourhood!

Cally Clock Tower Centre Herbs Workshop

Wednesday 8 April, 12.30-4pm

Caledonian Park, N7 9HF

Join Friends of Cally Park for a discussion on herbs and learn about the wide selection grown in the park! Meet at Cally Clock Tower! To book, email callypark@islington.gov.uk

The Minds Together Café: New Beginnings

Thursday 9 April, 1-3pm

Goodinge Community Centre, 2 Goodinge Rd, 20 North Rd, N7 9GZ

A welcoming monthly café for people living with dementia and their carers. Enjoy relaxed activities and support from professional services in an understanding environment. No need to book! For more information, please email goodinge@outlook.com or Partnerships@islington.gov.uk. See other Dementia-Friendly Activities.

Islington Ecology Centre Health & Nature Walk

Friday 10 April, 10-11am

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

Join for a guided stroll around the nature reserve with others, observing wildlife and the changing seasons. Stay for free tea and coffee afterwards!

All Islington adults welcome. Dementia-friendly. No need to book!

Islington Ecology Centre Health & Nature Walk

Saturday 11 April, 10am-1pm

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

Celebrate International Good Deeds Day with the Islington Ecology Centre! Join for a wildlife presentation, arts and crafts, Gillespie Park talk, Doing Good Workshop and volunteer tasks. Free and refreshments provided! Book by clicking below!

Singing for the Brain

Monday 13, 20, 27 April, 1pm-3pm

Harry Rice Hall, 2 – 74 Hargrave Park Road, Archway, London, N19 5JN

A place for those affected by dementia to come together and sing songs in a fun and friendly environment. Also take part in vocal exercises that help improve brain activity and wellbeing. To book a place or for information, please contact Alzheimer’s Society Islington Telephone: 07484 089543 (9am–5pm Monday to Friday)

Email: Islington@alzheimers.org.uk

Tuesdays 14, 21, 28 April, 10-11.30am

Tufnell Park Woodland Garden, Octopus Community Plant Nursery, Tufnell Park Estate (Behind Hollins and McCall House, off Tuffnell Park Road)

Octopus, with The Garden Classroom, is offering a 6-week programme of nature-based activities in their newly developed Woodland Garden. Join for free sessions for under 5s and their parents/carers! Booking essential! Reserve your space below.

Islington Adult Community Learning Summer Enrolment Days

Wednesday 15 April & Thursday 16 April, 9.30 am-3pm

Williamson Street Community Centre, 76 Parkhurst Road. N7 0FF

Sign up to take a course with Adult Community Learning. The organisation offers free courses focused on digital skills, English, maths, employability skills, English as a Second Language, green skills and much more. You can also apply/register online or come to Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF at 1pm on any Monday during school term. 

Hear also from Islington resident Ziniada about her journey with Adult Community Learning - how it helped her build confidence speaking English and onto a career in healthcare.

The Garden Classroom Wellbeing Walks

Fridays 17 & 22 April, 11am

New River Path, N1 2QP (17 April)

 St John’s Gardens, EC1M 6BY (22 April)

Take part in gentle guided walks in Islington particularly designed for people aged 50+ with the Garden Classroom. Connect with nature, move your body and enjoy light refreshments afterwards. Book your free space or just show up on the day!

Cally Clock Tower Centre Photography Workshop

Wednesday 22 April, 12.30-3pm

Caledonian Park, N7 9HF

Cally Clock Tower Centre Sewing Workshop

Thursday 23 April, 10am-2pm

Caledonian Park, N7 9HF

World Book Night

Thursday 23 April

All Islington Libraries

Celebrate World Book Night with Islington Libraries! Visit your local Islington library, say hello to the team and receive a free book and Reading Bingo card. Stay for a browse, borrow something new and let staff help you find your next favourite read!

Islington Guided Walks Health & History Walk

Friday 24 April, 11am

Thorpedale Road, N4 3BW (meet outside the park entrance)

Come out to enjoy a gentle walk through Wray Crescent park with expert local history guides. Learn fascinating facts about Islington’s past and get some light exercise in!

Healthy Generations Art Appreciation Special Session

Tuesday 5 May, 9.30am

Join the British Museum Community Partnerships team for a special Art Appreciation session discussing some of the themes, objects and stories in the Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans' exhibition  - from feathered cloaks worn by chiefs and finely carved deities, to powerful shark-toothed weapons and bold contemporary works by Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) artists.'

Click below to request a place.

The Stuart Low Trust's Evening and Weekend Activities
Multiple Locations

The Stuart Low Trust offers a variety of free social activities at locations throughout Islington on Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Come out to enjoy fun activities and meet new people in Islington! For more information, including times and venues, click below!

Arsenal in the Community Exercise Sessions

Arsenal in the Community offers a variety of programmes and for keeping active including strength and balance classes, Walking Football for people with Parkinson's Disease and a weight loss programme for men. To learn more and sign up, contact Rhys at 07548 107576 /

rratcliffe@arsenal.co.uk.

UCL Supporting East London Entrepreneurs

In collaboration with Enterprise4Good, UCL School of Management and Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion, UAL (FBS, LCF) have launched the Business Builder programme. Academics and entrepreneurs have created and developed this innovative 6-week programme designed to support emerging entrepreneurs or small businesses based in east London. View the programme’s brochure and register your interest with the application below!

Healthy Generations Fitness Classes

Healthy Generations offer fitness classes mainly for people aged over 50, including aqua aerobics, gentle exercise, line dancing, pilates, classes for women with remedial osteoporosis or going through the menopause and more.   Sessions are located in community centres, parks, libraries, leisure centres and online. Free or £3-5 optional donation! For more information, 

call 0798 114 2376. or click below!

Free Spaces to Cool Down

As temperatures rise in spring and summer, it's important to remember that hot weather can be dangerous. If you are too hot at home, find a free, friendly place to rest, drink water and stay cool in Islington by clicking below!

USEFUL UPDATES

Protect the Freedom Pass

Join Age UK London's efforts to protect the Freedom Pass. Become a co-signee of their open letter to London Councils urging them to protect the Freedom Pass. If you would like paper copies of the open letter to get signatures in your groups or with friends and family, please email your name and postal address to campaigns@ageuklondon.org.uk. 

Can you take a minute to do a Google review for Age UK Islington

We’d really appreciate your support with a quick Google review - it only takes a minute and can help others! Reviews appear when someone searches for Age UK Islington on Google or Google Maps. You can leave a star rating and, if you like, add a comment to share your experience of the information, guidance and any support that you've received.

Contacting Age UK Islington

If you are finding things difficult and need someone to talk to, don't forget that you can call the Age UK Islington Helpline on 020 7281 6018 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) or email gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk.

The Age UK Islington Helpline offers a listening ear, practical information, and support. Our team can connect you to further in-depth assistance from our Enablement or Navigation teams, who have expertise across a range of specialist services. If you need extra guidance, we can also provide regular check-ins and ongoing contact over several weeks to help you navigate what you’re experiencing.

Contact the Helpline to receive our newsletter straight to you inbox (if you're not already on our mailing list)!