Welcome to your March Newsletter With the beginning of Spring, we'd love to share the latest guides, activities and resources from Age UK Islington and other local organisations. There's lots going on!
Happier Outdoors: helping you 'Spring into Exercise' Being outside and taking part in a walking group, a creative project or an exercise class can do wonders for how we feel. Give yourself a boost this spring and find out about 23 free activities that are happening in Islington parks and in park community centres including the Islington Ecology Centre and Cally Clock Tower Centre as part of the 'Happier Outdoors' festival.
Find out how Age UK Islington Social Prescribers support Islington residents to keep active and why Age UK Islington's social prescribers are passionate supporters of how exercise and doing something social can make such a difference to our every day lives. Even if you have a health condition, there's lots of gentle exercise options and some that are tailored to specific health conditions. Hear from social prescribers Ruby and Olivia about how they support people to get into exercise and why. Voting in the May elections: what's helpful to know As you know 2024 is an election year, with not just one election but two likely! The timing of the general election is still under question, but the London Mayoral and Assembly Election will definitely take place on Thursday 2nd May. Find out more about the election and the photo ID that you need to take on the day, in order to be able to vote. Free Travel on Fridays for 60+ Oyster & Freedom passes Free Travel on Fridays for 60+ Oyster and Freedom passes
Transport for London have announced that 24/7 concessionary travel for holders of 60+ Oyster and Freedom passes will return on Fridays for a three-month trial period. The trial starts at the beginning of March and, if successful, the decision will be made permanent. GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUPS Please note that booking is essential for all Age UK Islington activities. Let's Talk Peer Event Thursday 21 March, 10.30am - 2.30pm LIFT Islington, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW Book to join us for our monthly Let's Talk event. It's relaxed, friendly & social. This month is going to be focused on 'Hate Crime & Inequality'. Hear from Colin Adams MBE & other guest speakers. We'll be discussing Racism, Anti-LGBT+, AntiSemitism, Islamophobia, AntiDisability, Anti-Ageist, Domestic Violence and Knife Crime. Saatchi Gallery Exhibtion & Art Workshop Monday 11 March, 11am to 1pm
Duke of York's HQ, King's Road, London, SW3 4RY Join us for a guided tour of the exhibition 'Burtynsky: Extraction / Abstraction'. This exhibition marks the largest ever mounted in the 40+ year career of world-renowned photographic artist, Edward Burtynsky. After the guided tour, we'll participate in a marbling workshop inspired by the exhibition. Limited places are available. Tech Break Friday 8 March & 22 March,12-1pm (Zoom) Want to explore what your smartphone, tablet or pc can let you do? The next Tech Break session on March 8th: Keeping your photos and other data in sync across different devices. On 22nd March, there will be a Mobile phone cameras live follow along demo. It's always a friendly, lively discussion and whether you're a novice when it comes to tech or are an experienced user of tech, you'll receive a warm welcome.
Email activities@ageukislington.org.uk and we'll send you a Zoom link which you can use for both the March sessions. Special edition of Park Cuppa @Cally Clock Tower Centre Wednesday 6 March, 11am - 12pm Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9PL Virginia Crompton from the 'Big Ideas' will be providing a fascinating insight into Nuclear Test Veterans and leading a discussion at next week's Park Cuppa. After many years the UK is awarding medals to our nuclear test veterans, the men and women who served in the military during Britain’s nuclear testing programme in the 1950s and 60s. Find out what a ‘cloud sampler’ does and answers to other questions! Tea, coffee and biscuits. Self-advocacy Workshop Wednesday 13 March, 2 - 5pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Dr, N1 0DX This workshop will provide an introduction to self-advocacy and identify barriers that can stand in the way of speaking up for what you want. We'll also share skills & try out putting them into practice. Booking essential. Special edition of Park Cuppa @Islington Ecology Centre Tuesday 19 March, 10.30am - 12pm Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PHF At this month's session, we'll be joined by Arsenal in the Community for a special edition of our monthly Park Cuppa at Islington Ecology Centre. Samir will be hosting a discussion about the games you played as a child. No Arsenal or football knowledge required! There will be free tea, coffee and biscuits. No need to book. It's an accessible dementia-friendly venue. Please note that for the following Get Togethers there are a very limited number of places and clients who have not previously attended will be given priority booking. Park Cuppa Get Together, Thursday 7 March, 2pm Our monthly Park Theatre matinee performance always starts with a social beforehand. The play this time is Cowboys & Lesbians. Breakfast Club Get Together, Tuesday 26 March, 2 - 4pm Our monthly Breakfast Club Get Together is taking place at this popular Angel cafe. Please note that this venue is not accessible - There are five steps to access the cafe and a flight of stairs to get to the toilets. Introduction to Jewellery Making Monday 4 March & 11 March, 10.30am - 12.30pm Arachne Greek Cypriot Women's Group, 13/15 Hercules Street, N7 6AT During this course you will design and make beaded jewellery and learn the
technical and design skills to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings in
several styles. You will also learn how to be creative with beads, how to use jump rings and how to use different tools and metal findings. International Women’s Day with Inclusion
Tuesday 5 March, 9.30am - 3pm Caxton House Community Centre, 129 St John's Way, N19 3RQ Join us in a women's only event a we honour the strength, resilience and achievements of survivors of domestic abuse. Run by the Kurdish Middle Eastern Women's Group, for more information click below to email. Women’s Hub International Women’s Day Celebration Friday 8 March, 11am - 3pm Brickworks Community Centre, 42 Crouch Hill, N4 4BY Join for a variety of activities including Bath Salt Kits, Henna, Arts ‘n’ Crafts and many more. To book click below to email / call 07928018639. Islington Council Repair and Upcycling Events Various venues Islington Council runs regular events that can help people with cost of living and prevent waste at the same time. They include sessions at which experts will help you fix electronic items in need of repair, a repair café for furniture and small wooden items, a textile repair and upcycling workshop and clothes swaps. What's on @King Square Community Centre
Kings Square, Central Street, EC1V 8DA
The Tenant and Resident Association at King Square host regular activities for residents on their estate at the local community centre. Recovery College Course: Low Mood & Depression Friday 15 & 22 March, 11.30am - 1pm online
Depression or low mood can happen to anyone and affects many
people at some time in their lives. For more details, click below to see the poster. Recovery College provides recovery-focused courses for everyone aged 18+ in Camden and Islington. See their website for more details. Tea and Talks: Elfrida Society Elfrida Society, 34 Islington Park Street, N1 1PX A new peer advocacy and social group for people with learning disabilities. Each week there will be a discussion about a topic such as debt, cost of living, benefits, the law, your rights or even what certain professionals do. All sessions are free and tea & coffee will be provided! Space is limited so, if you would like to attend, please call Kat on 07801 529963 or click below to email. Arsenal in the Community Programmes
The Arsenal Hub, 56 Benwell Road, N7 7BA
Strength and Balance chair-based exercise programme (over 55s). There are a few places available on their latest course. These sessions can be done sitting down but are also suitable for those looking to improve their balance and become steadier on their feet. These gentle exercise classes are also suitable for people with movement-limiting conditions such as COPD and arthritis.
Shape Up Islington Free Men’s Weight Loss Course Monday April 22nd for 12 weeks A course for men aged 18 to 65 (65-70s considered dependant on mobility) with BMI of 27.5 or above who live in or are registered with a GP in Islington and are motivated to change.
To register email rhys.ratcliffe@nhs.net or call 07548107576 Dogs in Service Day Friday 22 March, 11am - 4pm Holloway Fire Station, 270-282 Hornsey Rd, N7 7QZ Hosted by LFB at Holloway Fire Station, come and celebrate all the frontline dogs that assist the fire service and the public in multiple agencies. Demonstrations from various organisations and the chance to meet and interact with dogs and their handlers. Information stalls. Junior Park Run - Caledonian Park
Do you have children, or grandchildren? There's a regular Park Run for 4-14 year olds that takes place every Sunday at 9am. There's also volunteering opportunities to help out. Alternative Book Fair Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 March Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF A series of talks about writing and publishing. Hear from writers working in a variety of genres, how and to meet publishers and learn about working with them. All events are free of charge Dementia Information Session Tuesday 12 March, 10 - 11am
North Library, Manor Gardens, N7 6JX These free Dementia Friends sessions can help you understand more about the signs and symptoms of dementia. You will also get tips on making a difference to the lives of people affected by dementia. Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative that aims to change the way we think, act and talk about dementia. Booking for the sessions is encouraged, but not essential. How We Can Better Support People Living with Dementia?
Friday 15 March, 10am – 12pm (online)
An free online workshop for carers/family to discuss stimulating activities for people living with dementia and cover why it’s important to keep minds active. Register via Eventbrite. 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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