Welcome to your May 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! New research released by Age UK highlights growing concerns among Londoners about ageing healthily. The study shows that 70% of London adults aged 50-65yrs worry about staying healthy, while 65% are concerned about losing their independence. Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity in addressing both issues, 42% of respondents in the London area admit they don’t exercise enough - or at all.
With this in mind and to make it easier for Islington residents to find free and affordable ways to exercise and keep active, Age UK Islington is partnering with local activity providers including Arsenal in the Community and Healthy Generations to host a Keep Active Day information event on Wednesday 7 May. Click below for more inspiration and details! Share your memories of VE Day 1945 Do you remember Victory in Europe (VE) Day in 1945? Did you attend any local street parties? How did your family mark this historic day?
Thursday 8 May marks 80 years since the end of WW2 in Europe, and the council is looking for local residents to share their stories to help commemorate this important day. Please click below for details of how you can get involved. There are also details of the Islington Beacon Lighting planned to mark the day! Mental Health Awareness Month - May 2025 Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place this year between 12th and 18th of May. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of mental health, and promote mental wellbeing, through reflection, conversation and support for those experiencing mental health challenges. There are a number of events taking place in Islington and resources that you might find helpful. Dementia Action Week - 19th to 25th May 2025 The Dementia Action Week is taking place this month. The aim of the campaign is to continue raise awareness of the importance of an early diagnosis for people affected by dementia. Click below for details of dementia-friendly activities taking place in Islington. Sharing resources about lunch clubs and shopping delivery services Let's Talk last month was all about getting access to good food and making social connections. Catch-up on the talks and make use of some brilliant resources that were shared at the event! This includes good nutrition for better ageing, details of Islington lunch clubs and information and guidance about how to get food and groceries delivered to your door. Let's Talk: Planning for the future Thursday 15 May 10.45am-1.30pm Islington Council Community Space, 222 Upper Street N1 1XR Don’t miss out on the next Age UK Islington Let's Talk event! This monthly forum is a fantastic opportunity to stay informed and connect with others in a relaxed and social atmosphere.
This month the Age UK Islington Planning for the Future Service will explain why plans such as LPAs and Wills are so important. Islington Council teams will then give an insight into care and support services and how much they cost - whether you're starting to find looking after your home difficult, or struggling with daily living activities such as washing, cooking, cleaning.
There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and to chat over refreshments. Booking is essential! To request a place, please click below. Keep Active Day Information Event Wednesday 7 May, 11am-1pm Central Library 2 Fieldway Crescent N5 1PF This is a great opportunity to chat directly with a range of activity providers - from GLL Better, who run Islington’s leisure centres, to Arsenal in the Community, Healthy Generations and Healthy Minds Healthy Bods.
There are plenty of free and affordable options available to suit all interests and abilities, whether your preferred way to exercise is - a social walk, a session in the gym, to take part in a dance class or something else! Park Cuppa Special Edition: Samir from Arsenal
Wednesday 14 May, 11am - 12pm Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Special guest Samir from Arsenal in the Community will be hosting the discussion at Park Cuppa at Cally Clock Tower next week. He is a wonderful host, engaging and has a wealth of information about the local area, history and sport in general. He always joins us on the second Wednesday of the month. Park Cuppa Special Edition: Creative Nature Walk
Wednesday 28 May, 11am - 12pm Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF For our special edition of the regular Wednesday Park Cuppa, Helen Ainsworth will be leading a gentle walk around Cally Park. We'll walk, stop and chat about what we see and take a moment to draw or write a personal creative response. Tech Break: Tips for Safe Online Passwords
Friday 2 May,12-1pm via Zoom Join knowledgeable volunteer, Simon, for this month's Tech Break. In the May session Simon will discuss simple best practices for online passwords and also options for password management apps. Click below to book and get a Zoom link to join the session. Looking for a gentle fitness activity to enjoy weekly while meeting new people? Check out some of the regular weekly Get Togethers hosted by Better Leisure and Healthy Generations including multi-sports sessions, dance fitness and pilates. There are also fun in-person activities like the Lego Get Together, Park Cuppa, and online options like Music and Art Appreciation. Details of these weekly Get Togethers are always available on the Age UK Islington website. Saturday Socials at the Cubitt Gallery Saturday 3 May, 11am-1pm (monthly) 55yrs+ Cubitt Gallery, 8 Angel Mews, N1 9HH Free, friendly creative workshop for anyone aged 55 and over, held monthly at Cubitt Gallery. Led by visual artist Lucy Steggals and supported by Cubitt’s Community Projects Curator Harri Harrison, Saturday Socials is a welcoming space to explore creativity, share ideas, and connect with others. Spaces are limited, so please RSVP or get in touch with Harri for more information: 020 7278 8226 or email join-in@cubittartists.org.uk Islington Death Cafe - Dying Matters Week Tuesday 6 May, 10.30am-12.30pm Upstairs at The Lamb, Lamb’s Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ As part of Dying Matters Week, Islington Death Café invites you to join a warm and supportive conversation about death, dying, and grief. Enjoy delicious home-made cake provided free of charge, with tea and coffee available to purchase at the bar.
Please note that the venue involves stairs and may not be accessible for everyone, but more accessible Death Cafés are planned for the future. Later in the week, volunteers from Islington Death Café and Islington Bereavement Service will also be available for informal chats at Islington Central Library between 10am and 1pm. Click below to email for details to book your place and to find out about future death cafes. Angel Shed Intergenerational Community Choir Starting 6 May, Tuesdays 5.30-7pm Angel Shed, 444 Camden Road, N7 0SP Angel Shed are launching an intergenerational community choir with an informal performance on 1st July! Open to all ages from 7yrs through to adults. Children aged 7-10 must be accompanied by a parent or carer, while those aged 11+ can attend on their own. Learn songs and creative Makaton signing. No experience necessary, no auditions. Free refreshments provided. Pay-what-you-can membership, you are more than welcome to come for free. Support available for people with access needs. Click below to register your interest. See also other local choirs and singing groups.
Mandem on the Move: Building Skills for Work & Business Starting Saturday 10 May, 12-2pm (fortnightly) The Last Word, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB This programme is for Black, mixed heritage and men of colour aged 18+ who feel stuck in employment or business. The programme is designed to help participants build their confidence, employability skills, and have an opportunity to explore business opportunities. Through interactive workshops, group discussions, and expert-led sessions, this series creates a supportive space for personal and professional growth.
Disability Social Club for people under 60 Starting Monday 12 May, 11am-12pm (monthly) Lounge, Whittington Park Community Centre, Yerbury Road, N19 4RS The gatherings will be held in the centre’s Lounge, a comfortable, accessible, and sensory-friendly space. It’s a relaxed environment where you can chat, make friends, or simply enjoy a cup of tea. If you have any questions, please contact: 020 7272 1847 admin@whittingtonpca.org.uk Creative Writing Workshops 55yrs+ Wednesday 14 May, 12-1pm (10 sessions only during term time) Lounge, Whittington Park Community Centre, Yerbury Road, N19 4RS Explore poetry, life writing, flash fiction, and nature writing. Participants will create a body of work and have the opportunity to submit pieces for a risograph printed anthology. Come and join us to experiment and have fun with different creative writing forms. The theme of the workshops will be the people, places and things that make our community what it is. Every two weeks, we will focus on a new style of writing. Free, no need to book. LGBTQIA+ Health Care Event Saturday 17 May 1-7pm Queer Britain, 2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH Join Pride in Health – a free LGBTQIA+ health care event hosted by Macmillan Cancer Support, Whittington Health NHS Trust and North Central London Cancer Alliance; this event will feature:Talks by LGBTQIA+ healthcare professionals, a theatre performance based on real patient stories, wellness sessions including laughter yoga, an interactive workshop on cancer, relationships, and identity and a private viewing of the Queer Britain Museum. It’s a day to connect, share experiences, and feel empowered in your health care journey. Refreshments provided. All LGBTQIA+ people, patients, families and friends welcome. British Museum Ancient India: living traditions exhibition Sunday 18 May 12.40pm British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG Age UK Islington has been given nine tickets for the British Museum Ancient India exhibition for this time slot. If you are confident that you'd be able to attend on the day, and you'd like to be entered into a ballot with a chance of getting a ticket, please click below to add your contact details. You need to be registered with Age UK Islington to enter. The ballot will be drawn at random on 8th May. El Parnaso Hyspano Saturday 17 May 3–5pm Highbury Roundhouse Youth & Community Centre, 71 Ronalds Rd, London N5 1XB A free community event celebrating latin music and dance performances. Free refreshments and fun activities for children and parents alike Everyone in the Highbury community is welcome! Art Appreciation for Creativity and Wellbeing with The Wallace Collection Tuesday 20 May 11am (online event) The Wallace Collection will be running this online session during their Creativity and Wellbeing Week. Lucia van der Drift will explore five ways of wellbeing through connecting to an artwork. Spend some restorative and reflective moments with one painting from The Wallace Collection. To join Art Appreciation, please click below to join via Healthy Generations. The Big Buzz Bee Event: Celebrating World Bee Day Wray Crescent Open Space, Thorpedale Road, N4 Saturday 24 May 12-4pm Free event. No booking. Simple turn up with family and friends and join us. Working together to support tenants Age UK Islington is working closely and co-locating with Islington Council Housing team, providing early intervention and wellbeing support. In addition, if carers and clients have any tenancy management related issues, they can call 0207 527 5300 to speak to their Islington Council Housing Officer. Islington in Bloom 2025 Highbury Roundhouse, 71 Ronalds Road, N5 1XB The annual gardening competition, run by Islington Council and Islington Gardeners, is open for entries from 2nd May – 6th June 2025. There are lots of different categories to enter and you don’t need to have any experience, or even a garden, to take part! It doesn’t matter whether you’re a plant enthusiast or new to gardening – Islington in Bloom is for you. Win great prizes - plus FREE compost for every entrant! Click below or more information. Islington Adult Community Learning Drop-in Assessments Every Monday in Term-time at 1pm First Steps, Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent N5 1PF Check out these free courses with Islington Adult Community Learning (eligibility criteria apply). Topics include digital skills, English, maths, employability skills and English as a second language. Come along to one of the assessments for information and guidance on which course would be right for you. For more information call, text or WhatsApp 07734 777 466. Camden and Islington Recovery College courses The Recovery College provides educational and inspirational wellbeing courses which are free for everyone aged 18+ in Camden and Islington. They also deliver in-person and online courses on recovery and maintaining wellbeing. The summer term runs tilll July. For more information and to enrol online for the courses click below. Apply for a 'Make it Happen' microgrant Islington Giving 'Make it Happen' micro-grants are now open, offering up to £500 to help bring your brilliant local ideas to life – from creative wellbeing sessions to community celebrations. Do you have a project idea that could benefit the community? If it builds connection and sparks joy, they want to hear from you! The deadline for applications is 19th May 2025. This year The Parent House are celebrating their 25th year of supporting Islington parents in their little house in Kings Cross. See their Summer Newsletter for more details about their support. LGBTQIA Social Care Research – Get Involved Are you 55+ and LGBTQIA, a carer, or a social care practitioner in Camden, Islington or Westminster? UCL is running workshops to explore barriers to care in multicultural settings.
Take part in 3 online workshops and help shape future services. Participants on low incomes will receive £25/hour (via e-voucher). To register or find out more click below to email. Mental Health Support Survey Help shape better mental health support in Islington. If you're a carer, volunteer, practitioner, or have accessed mental health support services yourself, share your views in this short, anonymous survey. To take part click the link below. There's a chance to win one of two £25 vouchers! UCL Research Study – Older People & Domestic Abuse Are you aged 60+ and have experienced an unhealthy family or intimate relationship? This might have involved harmful elements such as control, exploitation or violence. UCL is running a study to understand support needs and barriers to accessing help. Take part in a 45-minute interview or focus group. Participants will receive a gift voucher.
To get involved, click below to contact Dr Phuong Leung by email or call or text 07435 561949. 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)! | 