Welcome to your November Newsletter Sharing the latest guides, activities and resources from Age UK Islington and other organisations. Don't miss out on Pension Credit Coming into the colder months you might be worried about your energy bills. There is however, help available for those on a low income.
Pension Credit and some other means-tested benefits are important in being able access some of this help. Yet many people don't apply for Pension Credit either because they don't know about it, or because they don't think they'd be eligible for it (one in four pensioners who would be eligible do not receive Pension Credit). Even if you own your own home or have savings, it is worth looking into. See the Age UK guide: Government Help for Energy Bills for more information.
You can also find out more about Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits at our next Let's Talk session. We'll also be joined by a guest speaker from Islington Council at this month's Let's Talk who will be letting us know more about Pension Credit, why it is important and who is eligible. For more information and to book a place, click the button below. Managed migration of some benefits to Universal Credit Universal Credit has been rolled out nationally and now replaces new claims for a number of working age benefits (benefits for people under State Pension age). Those people affected by these changes will receive a letter from the government.
Money Saving Expert website explain "IF you have received a letter about the benefits you currently receive, you'll soon be moved onto Universal Credit. The move isn’t automatic – once you get a letter, you'll have to take action within the time set out otherwise you could lose your income-related benefits. Don't ignore the letter about moving to Universal Credit." See the full article.
Again, you can find out more about the change over to Universal Credit, in-person at our Let's Talk session on 14 November month. For more information and to book a place, click below. 'Black Friday' shopping discounts With all the expenditure at this time of year in the run-up to the festive season, you might want to check out this guide from Islington Carers Hub's partner Mobilise. Did you know that almost 9 in 10 blind or partially sighted people may need some help when they’re making an unfamiliar journey? If you come across someone who is blind or partially sighted, you can start with a simple ‘hello’. It’s your first step to helping out. The RNIB “Be Helpful” campaign has been created in partnership with blind and partially sighted people, offering top tips and reassurance for everyone. Click below for the informative guide.
Did you also know that the RNIB website has some great resources including guides about aids and technology that can help if you are partially sighted or blind, as well as the importance of eye checks and information about cataracts. GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUPS Please note that booking is essential for all Age UK Islington activities. Park Cuppa Special Edition with Arsenal Wednesday 13 November 11am-12pm Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9PL Join our small group for a chat and to share memories over a cuppa in this lovely location. Samir, from Arsenal in the Community, will be in attendance to discuss history, current affairs, sport and community issues. To request a place, click below. Let's Talk Peer Event Thursday 14 November 10.30am-1.30pm Upper Holloway Baptist Church, 11 Tollington Way,
N7 6RG Find out about the migration of certain benefits to universal credit and what to look out for. We'll also be discussing the importance of Pension Credit. There will be plenty of time for questions. If there's anything you'd particularly like to know about relating to the topic, then let us know in the booking form. Pop-up vaccine clinic. Booking for the event is essential. iCope Moodbooster Workshop
Thursday 14 November 1.30-3.30pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Dr, N1 0DX This workshop provided by iCope will introduce you to ways to help you feel more motivated and techniques to challenge negative and unhelpful thinking habits. Booking is essential. Click below to request a place. Nurturing Compassion, The Recovery College
Tuesday 19 November 10.30am-12pm Islington Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH We're partnering with The Recovery College to invite you to look at the benefit of practising self-compassion and how to develop a more caring relationship with yourself. We often find it easy to show kindness and compassion to others, but what about us? Let’s explore how self-compassion can help you to respond to suffering and stress with kindness, understanding, and care. Park Cuppa with the British Museum
Wednesday 27 November 11am - 12pm Cally Clock Tower, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Join us for this special Park Cuppa session with the British Museum with the theme 'Objects of Comfort'. Explore how different objects from around the world provide people with comfort or offer protection, and discuss the things that make you feel comfortable. Recovery College In-Person Course Enrolments Mondays 10am-1pm: 4 November to 2 December
Tuesdays 2-4pm: 5 to 26 November
West Wing reception at St Pancras Hospital, NW1 0PE
The Recovery College offers a comprehensive range of free health and wellbeing courses open to anyone who lives, works, volunteers or receives services in Camden and Islington. From yoga, meditation to courses to helping to build healthy relationships or cope with anxiety or difficult emotions. Click below to browse the course guide. You can either register online or attend an in-person enrolment on the dates above. Whittington Health Expert Patients Programme
Starting Wednesday 6 November 6-8.30pm for 6 weeks Having a health condition such as, low mood, pain, depression, or diabetes can cause daily challenges. The Expert Patient Programme self-management support programmes are led by people who know what it’s like and can make all the difference. Topics covered include dealing with symptoms, coping with depression or feeling low, guidance about communicating with family, friends and health professionals. There is a 6 week course for all health conditions or a 2 week Diabetes Management course starting in November. For more information call 0207 527 1189/1558/1707 or e-mail: whh-tr.Self-Management@nhs.net My Barnsbury: Past Present & Future Workshop Saturday 9 November 11am-1pm St Andrew's Church, Thornhill Square, N1 1BQ St Andrew’s Church in Barnsbury want to hear from the residents of Barnsbury to help them capture the rich tapestry of memories that make Barnsbury special. The drop-in workshop is an opportunity to contribute your stories and memories, whether a childhood memory or a moment that defines the neighbourhood. Any photos of yourself at St Andrews or in Barnsbury or any interesting objects would be welcomed.
Or if you would like to volunteer to record the interviews, oral history interview training will be provided. To volunteer, please contact communityengagementstandrews@gmail.com. Drumming workshop
Mondays new course starting 11 November. 2.30 – 4pm Manor Gardens, 6-9 Manor Gardens, London, N7 6LA Master the basics of drumming over 4 weeks from a professional tutor in a relaxed setting whilst also learning about how to combat anxiety.
Call 07928 009412 or email michael@manorgardenscentre.org
To find out what regular activities take place at Manor Gardens, see their November activities timetable. Heritage Building Workshops
Tuesdays 12 November (Carpentry), 10 December & 14 January (Roofing) 9am-3pm Union Chapel (back entrance) Compton Avenue, N1 2XD These workshops provide the tools and professional training for your skills to grow whilst boosting sustainability and community. Click below for more information and application deadlines. Tate Gallery Talk on Angelica Kauffmann
Tuesday 12 November 5-6pm Clock Tower, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Angelica Kauffman was one of the most celebrated artists of the 18th century. Known for her celebrity portraits and pioneering history paintings, she helped to shape the direction of European art. You are invited to an online talk about Angelica Kauffman with Cindy from the Tate Gallery. Click below to join the meeting at the time of the talk. The Meeting ID: 852 0385 8281 and Passcode: r&G3g*H%. Health Masterclasses with Bert Roman
Five Wednesdays from 13 November to 11 December
Whittington Community Centre, Yerbury Rd, N19 4RS Join local nurse Bert Roman at Whittington Park Community Centre for five weeks of free health information. All sessions are focused on developing a postitive narrative and mindset towards our bodies as we get older: heart, joints & muscles, mobility, brain health and memory, diet, diabetes and healthy eating.
Exploring the Internet with a Smartphone
Five Thursdays, 2 – 4pm from 14 Nov to19 Dec North Library, Manor Gardens, London N7 6JX A step-by-step practical guide to finding genuinely useful things to do on the World Wide Web – and how to do them on a phone – safely and sensibly. You will start with your priorities and ambitions – and you
might finish with digital skills that you didn’t know existed. We offer continued support, if you need it, at our digital drop-in – every Wednesday at Mildmay Community Centre. Join us for Somali Careers Day
Thursday 14 November 5.30 – 9.00pm
Lift Youth Hub, Islington, 45 White Lion St, N1 9PW Are you a young Somali aged 18-25, living, studying or working in Islington? Come along to meet Somali Professionals from industries like Tech, Healthcare, Education, Law, Sports, Finance, Business, and more! Click below to book a place or contact 07812 491807, 07813 548968 or email: Youthemploymentteam@islington.gov.uk Health and Wellbeing Event
Wednesday 20 November, 1 – 5pm Muslim Welfare House, 233 Seven Sisters Rd, Finsbury Park, N4 2DA Find out what support and services are available locally to help with day to day issues. Need to speak to a health professional? General health tests, blood pressure, diabetes, other health checks. No need to book, just drop-in. Community Film Night Friday 22 November 6.30pm
Whittington Park Community Centre, Yerbury Rd, N19 4RS Whittington Park Community Centre are showing a French film set in Tunisia called Couscous which follows a father trying to support his family by opening a restaurant. The film will have English subtitles. There's a small charge for tickets. Drinks and popcorn available to buy. For tickets email admin@whittingtonpca.org.uk or click the link below. Workshops to Design New Programme to Support People with COPD
26 November, 11 March, 10 June, 11am-2pm Are you living with or caring for someone with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? You can help the charity Asthma and Lung UK to design and shape a new service for people living with COPD. They are looking for people like you to attend up to 3 workshops (each 3 hours) which will take place in London N1. These will be creative sessions involving patients, healthcare professionals and others interested in improving services for people with COPD. Travel costs will be covered, and lunch will be provided. Contact amanda.p.moore@ucl.ac.uk for more information Health and Wellbeing Workshop Awareness Day
Saturday 30 November 12-4.30pm Brickworks Community Centre, 42 Crouch Hill, N4 4BY Activities include chair yoga, community safety talk from Met Police, Zumba fitness, poetry, sing-along-songs and dancing. Refreshments served at 1pm. Donations accepted. For more information call 020 7263 1067 or email admin@hanleycrouch.org.uk Community Gardening for All, The Garden Classroom
Wednesdays 10am-12pm @ Newington Green (and Saturday Nov 30th)
Thursdays 10am-12 @ Ferntower planters, Ferntower Road
Fridays 12-2pm @ Market Road Garden, Market Road
Autumn has officially arrived, leaves are falling, mornings are getting chilly. These gardening sessions are a good way to get outside for a few hours. Join this November at Newington Green, Ferntower Planters or Market Road Garden. They will be making leaf bins, pruning, planting bulbs and weeding. You can join for a chat and a cuppa or join in the gardening! Tools, gloves, plants and guidance are provided. Everyone is welcome and there's no need to book.
Islamophobia Awareness: 'Cultivating Change' Event Wednesday 27 November, 5-8.30pm Islington Town Hall, Committee Rooms 5 and 6, Upper Street, N1 2UD Islington Council invites you to book for an event to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month.Their ‘Cultivating Change’ event will include guest speakers, exhibitions, food, and informative conversations as we stand together in Islington. It will raise awareness of Islamophobia in the borough and the steps to take to create a supportive environment for the Muslim community. There will be a focus on how small actions can contribute to big changes, in line with the theme 'Seeds of Change'. Booking is essential. Dementia Information Sessions Tuesday 12 November 10.30am-12.30pm Central Library, 2 Fieldway Cres, N5 1PF Want to find out more about dementia? There are helpful information sessions taking place this month and next (12th December). Booking is encouraged, but not essential. Festive Lunch Thursday 5 December 12-3pm Vibast Community Centre, Old Street EC1V 9NH Join a festive get together filled with music, food and celebration. Open to all. Tickets £5. RSVP 0207 527 4605 or vibast@islington.gov.uk. Well Versed (55yrs+) Thursdays 2.30-4.30pm
All Change Arts Ltd, 27 Dingley Place, EC1V 8BR Well Versed is a company of people aged 55+ who meet weekly to write poetry, take part in mindful movement, listen to music, sometimes dance and often improvise together. They collaborate regularly with professional artists, working in different artforms (and sometimes the Arsenal first team) and have created and performed at a number of local venues including Sadler’s Wells Theatre and Almeida Theatre. Every person and idea is welcome. Refreshments and transport provided. If you would like to take part drop in or call Alex on 020 7689 4646 or email: projects@allchangearts.org.
Walk-in Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations Over 65 years old, pregnant, have a long-term condition or provide care for someone vulnerable? Get free Covid 19 and Flu walk-in vaccinations:
Central Hub N1 1XR – Wednesday 30th October 10am-2pm
Northern Hub N7 6LA – Wednesday 6th November 10am-2pm
West Library N1 1BD – Tuesday 12th November 12-3.30pm
Central Library N5 1PF – Saturday 16th November 1-5pm
Central Library N5 1PF – Thursday 21st November 1-6pm
No need to book, just turn up. 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.
Contact the Helpline to receive our newsletter straight to you inbox (if you're not already on our mailing list)! | 