Welcome to your August Newsletter
Sharing the latest guides and activities from 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!
We’re putting together a piece for next month’s edition about 'Making your money go further' and it would be great to include any tips and experiences that you'd like to share with others in Islington - perhaps how you have saved on bills, food or perhaps something else? Please contact us on: communications@ageukislington.org.uk.
Sharing resources from this month's Let's Talk event In response to requests from Age UK Islington clients, our most recent Let’s Talk event focused on Community Safety and Avoiding Scams.
Speaking to one of the Age UK Islington Navigation caseworkers, she has become aware that "The scammers are getting more and more sophisticated and often have a lot of people's personal details, which makes them sound genuine when they are not. When people are busy and distracted, it can be all to easy to be misled".
The best recommendation is to stay informed - so that you can spot possible scams, prevent blue badge theft, keep safe when out and about and know what steps to take if you experience any problems.
Click below to access the slides from the Let's Talk presentations, together with other guides and useful contact details.
You can also print out the Age UK Islington guide: Keeping Safe and Avoiding Scams guide - July 2025. Sobell Get Together Relaunch Party We’re delighted that Sobell Get Together is finally back downstairs following the refurbishment of the sports hall after the leisure centre flooding. This month, Age UK Islington, Better Leisure, and both new and returning attendees celebrated with a special relaunch party.
Missed it? No problem - you can join us any Tuesday or Thursday! Hear what Age UK Islington Community Connector, Jane Stokes, new attendee, Viv, and regular attendee, Paul, had to say about the day. Let’s Talk Peer Event: Health Thursday 21 August, 10.30-1.45pm Islington Council Community Space, 222 Upper St, N1 Let's Talk is Age UK Islington's monthly event to share information and promote discussion around a different topic each month. This month, we’ll be joined by Dr. Grace McGeoch, who will share information about local diabetes support groups, along with respiratory nurses from Whittington Health, who will discuss asthma and COPD. Find out what symptoms to look out for and how you can reduce the risk of these conditions. Tech Break (online) Managing Google account data, privacy, security settings Friday 8 August, 12-1pm 'Tech Break' is a great session that usually takes place on the first Friday of the month, online, led by talented tech volunteer Simon. In August, please note that the session is taking place on the second Friday of the month. If you're one of the majority of people who have a Google account, for example on your Android phone or to use Gmail, then this Tech Break may be helpful to you. Park Cuppa Special: British Museum
Wednesday 27 August, 11-12pm Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Join us for this special Park Cuppa session with the British Museum where we will explore different musical instruments from across the world. You will get the opportunity to handle these amazing artefacts, as well as share your stories and memories about the music we all love. Cubitt Community Zine & Publishing Fair Saturday 2 August, 12-6pm Cubitt Gallery, 8 Angel Mews, N1 9HH The Cubitt Gallery are holding a free one-day publishing fair to celebrate those making and thinking about books, zines, prints, self-publishing, community organising, and more. With over 20 stallholders - including local publishers, artists, organisers + activists, and collectives from Islington and beyond - the fair will reignite Islington’s histories of radical publishing and self-organised print culture.
Cally Clocktower Festival Sunday 3 August, 12-6pm Caledonian Park, N7 9PL The Clocktower Festival is an annual event in Caledonian Park, bringing together residents for a day of fun, learning, and community connection. The festival offers arts and nature activities, live music, food, a climbing wall and a penalty shoot-out. Admission is free.
Healthwatch: Mental Health Support Monday 4 August, 1.30pm The Black Cultural Centre, 16 Hornsey Rd, N7 7BP Healthwatch will be joining Go Africa at the Black Cultural Centre to talk about mental health support that is available. There will be the opportunity to ask questions. Welcome Theatre Taster: Nourishing Daughters Thursday 7 August, 5.30-7.45pm Wellcome Collection,183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE In this theatre taster, participants will step into a character's world by working through Nourishing Daughters, a script from 'Breast Monologues' by the American playwright, Robin Rice. There will be the chance to read through the script, do some acting in pairs, then talk through the experience afterwards. This event open to people of all genders 16+, with no previous theatre experience necessary. This is a free event, but registration is required. You can also contact them at info@wellcomecollection.org. Camden & Islington Recovery College Registration starts 11 August - Autumn Courses The Recovery College co-produces recovery-focused courses for everyone 18+ in Camden and Islington, aiming to empower people by teaching self-care tools to improve wellbeing.The Autumn term (August - December) course guide and calendar will be available on their website from 11th August when enrolments open. For more information contact NLFT.recoverycollege@nhs.net or call 0203 317 6904 Barnsbury Wood Summer Open Day Tuesday 12 August, 2-5pm Barnsbury Wood, 3 Crescent Street, N1 1BW Come along to the Barnsbury Wood Summer Open Day! There will be children’s arts and crafts, poetry, nature walking and free refreshments. Admission is free. Zaha Hadid Foundation Art Workshop Wednesday 13 August, 10.30am - 12.30pm Peel Institute, Northampton Rd, London EC1R 0HU Join us for a creative art workshop using cyanotype, a photographic printing process which uses sunlight to produce images from objects and cut out. Suitable for all levels, and guidance will be given. All materials provided and light refreshments will be served. Meet at The Peel at 10:15am to walk over to Zaha Hadid Foundation. Family Community Build Day Saturday 16 August, 11am-3pm The Triangle Site, 180 York Way, N1 0AZ Global Generations are offering a unique opportunity to be involved with the building of their first permanent community garden in Kings Cross. All ages and abilities are welcome for a day learning traditional build skills with natural materials. There are limited places available, so booking is essential. Tuesday Club Tuesdays 10.30am-12pm Finsbury Park Trust, 225-229 Seven Sisters Road, N4 2DA
Finsbury Park Trust’s Tuesday Club welcomes people for their weekly event. Events are free and everyone is welcome, but some require prebooking, so email events@finsburyparktrust.org if you are interested. Click below to see what's on in July/August. Brain Health Programme (Weekly to December) The Claremont Project, 24-27 White Lion St, N1 9PD This free programme at The Claremont Project is running from July to December, offering weekly creative, social, or physical activities to help reduce the risk of dementia. Open to Islington residents aged 55 and over, the programme supports simple lifestyle changes and runs for three months. Sign up via the website linked below or by emailing chiara@claremont-project.org.
For more Dementia-Friendly Activities see the Age UK Islington website. Food Growing at St Jude Street Community Garden St Jude Street Gardens, St Jude Street, N16 8JT This takes place every Thursday from 10am to 12pm until the end of August. The focus is on food growing and composting, and of course tasting our produce. All welcome. Whittington Community Centre - Over 55s Yerbury Rd, Archway, London N19 4RS Looking to meet other locals for gentle exercise, creative activities or to go along to a lunch club? It's a great way to stay connected, whether you're a fan of poetry, writing, arts and crafts or want to try chair-based exercise, or find out what Qi Gong is like. Please find their latest printable timetable. Men's Grub Club Hugh Cubitt Centre, 48 Collier Street, N1 9QZ
Cook for Good have created the Men’s Grub Club, a series of cooking courses for men aged 60+ to help men who want to become more confident in the kitchen. Classes will take place on a Friday once a month in the Cook for Good kitchen. You’ll get together with a group of local men to cook and eat a delicious meal, with enough to take home for the next day. To register your interest call 0203 633 4025 (option 2) or click below to email. Cycling has many benefits, whatever your age or mobility. It can improve your health, save you time and money, and helps make a greener, healthier Islington by reducing carbon emissions, air pollution and noise. Anyone who lives, works or studies in Islington is entitled to attend the Adult Learn to Ride course. After this, and once you can confidently control a bike, you are entitled to two free one-to-one sessions. Vibast Community Centres Activities Vibast Community Centre continues to host regular activities during the Summer. From learning pilates to trying out the art of theatre, the aim is for families, young people and adults to learn new skills and improve their health and well-being. Please note that the Tea Dance is not being held in August, but back in the autumn. London’s 60+ Oyster Card and Freedom Passes On Tuesday July 22nd, the price of London’s Oyster cards went up for the first time in a decade. The price of the 60+ Oyster card has gone from £20 to £35, while the cost of the required annual eligibility check increased from £10 to £18. Freedom Passes (66+ or if you have a disabilty) are safe from the price hike as they are managed by London Councils. Flash Flooding Advice Leaflet If you live in a basement property, you may be at greater risk from flash flooding. The GLA has prepared a guide on how to prepare for possible flash floods and advice on what to do in the event of one. Future Changes in Universal Credit and PIP Benefits The government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill is a step closer to being made law. The most important thing to know is that there are no changes set for anyone currently getting Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Any future changes will apply after a review which is set to finish in Autumn 2026.
Find out what the latest developments whether you are currently receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the health element of Universal Credit or if you were to apply for PIP in the future. 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.
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