Age UK Islington provides information & advice, social connections and longer term support to adults of all ages. We help with debt, housing, emotional support & more!
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Dear ,
Welcome to Age UK Islington's May newsletter!
We hope that things are going well for you and that you find the newsletter a useful guide to some of what's going on, together with useful money-saving tips. There's lots going on in May and this is a jam-packed edition!
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NEWS
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Staying Connected in Islington
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Let's Get Back Together
We're delighted to announce that we've organised another Let's Get Back Together week for the end of June (20 - 24). You can see a great short clip of the Let's Get Back Together events in October, here! In the coming weeks we'll be inviting you to attend an event of your choice with free food - from Esther Rantzen's Birthday Celebration to getting creative at the Museum of London and activities at Arsenal. Look out for more information!
Mental Health Awareness Week
The focus of Mental Health Awareness Week (9 - 15 May) is on social connection. Everyone is different, but for some people, finding a regular group that you enjoy or meeting up with people can help to lift your mood. You can find lots of events taking place in green spaces, yoga and a fun wellbeing event listed on Islington Council's Islington Life page.
Your Mind Matters
See the Age UK 'Your Mind Matters' guide which might help if you’re feeling low or out of sorts. If you need help to find a way of meeting people that's right for you or if you want a listening ear to talk things through and possibly find some support, call your local Age UK Islington helpline on 020 7281 6018 / gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk. Don't feel that you have to struggle alone!
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Living in the Present, Planning for the Future
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We've two stories which highlight why recording your wishes or those of a family member or friend that you’re caring for is so important. Tying in with the national Dying Matters Week campaign (2 - 6 May), two Islington residents have offered to share contrasting experiences of losing a friend or family member and the difference that planning ahead can make.
The reason why they’ve shared their stories is that they hope that this might inspire others to get in touch with our Future Matters team to get support in setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney, a Will or an Advance Care Plan.
In May and June we have a number of dates when you can meet members of the Future Matters team both in person and for online information sessions. To read the stories from Islington residents Helen & Joanie and for details of how to book the Future Matters May and June sessions, please click the button below.
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OUR GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUPS
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Park Theatre Get Together & Show, Thurs 5 May, 2pm
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Our much loved Park Theatre shows continue, for Age UK Islington clients. The matinee 'pay-what-you-can' performance on 5th May is "The End of the Night". Booking with Age UK Islington is essential and tickets will be on a "first-come-first-served basis"! Start with tea or coffee and a chat in a reserved area on the 2nd floor (Park Pizza) and then make your way to the performance which starts at 3pm.
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Local History Walk & Stadium Tour, Wed 18 May, 10am-1pm
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Age UK Islington is teaming up with Arsenal in the Community to bring you a local history walk providing a history of the 'village' of Highbury and its development from Roman times to the present day. The walk finishes with a tour of Emirates Stadium and a chance to see behind the scenes. The walk will be at a gentle pace and led by Samir from Arsenal in the Community. Places are limited!
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Let's Talk Peer Event, Wed 18 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm
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Do you have something on your mind that you'd like to talk about? This month, you can book to either join Let's Talk by Zoom or attend in person at St Luke's Community Centre. It's hosted by Shamin Noronha, our Information & Advice Specialist Caseworker. As part of the session, we're going to be joined by colleagues from the Metropolitan Police giving a talk on Cukooing and Personal Fraud. As usual, there will be lots of time for people to talk (or just listen!).
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Take a Tech Break, Thursday 19 May, 12 - 1pm
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We can connect you to one-to-one digital support sessions and to digital support groups, so you can get the most from your smartphone or digital device. We also have regular (usually fortnightly) group Tech Break sessions on Zoom which will be focused on a particular topic.
Join us on Thurs 19th at 12noon for a session about "Basic Pa$$w0rd Do's and Don'ts". To book a place and to get the Zoom link, please email our Activities team by clicking below.
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NETWORK EVENTS & PROJECTS
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Feel Good Fridays, 11am - 1pm
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Global Generation's wellbeing programme for Islington residents in King's Cross combines guided relaxation and movement with creative, nature-based activities. Whether it's cooking and eating together, crafting, gardening or story walking, the programme provides a supportive and welcoming space for connecting with each other and the natural world. Sessions are free to attend and currently run fortnightly on Fridays, 11am-1pm.
For more information and to register, click below to contact Laura at Global Generations or call her on 07747 829 249.
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Islington Rock n' Roll Walk, Wed 4 May, 11am - 1pm
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Mary Tyler, host of weekly Music Appreciation session, will be leading an Islington walk with a difference. Starting in Highbury Fields, the walk will go south down Upper Street and finish near Islington Green. Along the way, stops will include former homes of Elton John, Keith Richards grandad who gave him his first guitar, the Sex Pistols and Gracie Fields, Britannia Row Recording Studios, and a host of popular music venues. The final stop will be the Euphorium Bakery for a post walk coffee and cake!
Healthy Generations and Islington Parks Team are also running 6 new exercise classes in local parks around the borough. These classes will run Spring-Autumn 2022 and aim to provide great eco-therapy exercise classes.
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Invitation to take part in 70 Conversations (Expressions of interest from adults 55yrs+ by 4 May)
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You are invited to participate in 70 Conversations, a creative project which celebrates people coming together to share their stories and make a difference in their communities. Cubitt are working with local Anti-Apartheid heritage organisation, The Liliesleaf Trust UK, and Arts and Media School Islington (AMSI) for this project. You'll participate in a series of creative workshops led by artist Lucy Steggals to plan a party, inspired by the tradition of public gatherings to strengthen communities, make change, and celebrate Jubilees. You'll also connect and collaborate with a group of young people aged 12 to 15 from AMSI to plan the party and make a podcast.
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Dementia Action Week May 2022: Dementia Friendly Walks in Islington
Jo and Colin run Dementia Friendly walks in Gillespie and Cally Parks and are helping Islington to become a Dementia Friendly Community. Jo and Colin share more information about the Dementia Friends training and their walks in a short article, plus links to the walks.
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'Please offer me a seat badge'
If you struggle to stand while using public transport, there is a free badge and card available to help you alert fellow customers that you need a seat. It’s Tranport for London's Priority Seating Week, which also marks the fifth anniversary of the 'Please offer me a seat badge'. As part of the promotion for the week they have created a number of YouTube videos. Click here for Amanda’s story and click below to apply for a badge.
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Get the Spring Booster
Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, friends and family from Covid-19 and flu. Click the button below for more information about the Spring Booster, eligibility and how to book for your jab!
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Are you struggling with anything?
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.
Our Information & Advice team have had a number of enquiries about the government's Council Tax Rebate and would like to share this information with you: https://www.islington.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-energy-rebate