Welcome to your June 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! Getting creative on the Park Cuppa Nature Walk For the May special edition of Park Cuppa, guest host, Helen Ainsworth from Cut Moose guided a short walk around Cally Park with stops for creative reflection. Helen reported, "It was a really great session!..the group created some very interesting work - some poems, some abstracts and lots of interesting mark-making." Click below for photos and find about next month's special edition of Park Cuppa with a "Butterfly Walk and Talk". Inspiration to keep active! Last month, more than eighty Islington residents joined our Keep Active Day, together with Islington’s Parks, Sport and Leisure teams, Islington Library service and other Islington activity providers. People dropped by to find out about ways to stay active in Islington – from community sports and gardening to free and low-cost exercise classes. Click for photos and to get our Age UK Islington guide to local opportunities. Sharing resources from May's Let's Talk event The May Let's Talk event was all about planning ahead - with a talk from the Age UK Islington 'Planning for the Future' team and a talk from Islington Council about how to access care and support to stay independent at home (including the costs of care). Click to see the slides from the talks, Age UK guides and to book for free Lasting Powers of Attorney and Wills information sessions on 26 June & 3 July. Diabetes Awareness Week (9-15 June) More than half a million people in London are now living with diabetes and many don’t even know they’re at risk. But with the right support, type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or managed. This Diabetes Awareness Week (9–15 June), take a moment to learn the signs, find out about local information sessions and testing, and find out how simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Let's Talk: Benefits and skills for employment Thursday 19 June, 10.45am-1.30pm Islington Council Community Space, 222 Upper St, N1 Book to find out about future changes to disability benefits and how benefits work if you take part-time employment. We’ll also have talks on key programmes designed to build skills and confidence - both for getting into work and once you're employed. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and to chat over refreshments. Booking is essential! To request a place, please click below. Songs of Summertime Tuesday 10 June, 12.15 - 2pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, Carnoustie Drive, N1 Treat yourself to some musical classics, favourites and summer sizzlers to celebrate the arrival of the bright, warm, happy “days of wine and roses”. Brought to you by the legendary Connaught Opera, there will be costume changes, fun and good old fashioned entertainment reminiscent of times gone by. Social with tea and biscuits to start. To request a place, please add your contact details to the booking form. Park Cuppa Special Edition: Samir from Arsenal
Wednesday 4 June, 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 this week. He is a wonderful host, engaging and has a wealth of information about the local area, history and sport in general. Park Cuppa Special: Butterfly Walk and Talk
Wednesday 25 June, 11am - 12pm Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF For our special edition of the regular Wednesday Park Cuppa, the parks team will be leading a talk about butterflies and a gentle stroll around the park to find different species and other wildlife. There will of course be a cuppa back at the centre afterwards! Tech Break: Getting more from your Google account
Friday 6 June,12-1pm via Zoom If you’re one of the many people with a Google account, whether you use an Android phone, Gmail, or other Google services, then this Tech Break is for you! In this session, Simon will guide you through how to manage your data, privacy, and security settings within your Google account, helping you stay in control of your personal information. Click below to request a Zoom link to join on the day. Looking for a gentle fitness activity to enjoy weekly while meeting new people? 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. St Luke’s Health Week Week starting 2 June, 11am-3pm Daily St Luke's Community Centre, 90 Central St, EC1V 8AJ Join St Luke's for a week of free health and wellbeing events - including fitness sessions, health checks, workshops on mental health, dementia, nutrition, and more. Drop in daily (11am–3pm) for support from UCL Pharmacy students with the NHS App, blood pressure checks, and medication advice. Everyone welcome—no booking needed! See the poster. Community Forum Wednesday 4 June, 6-7.30pm The Old Fire Station, 84 Mayton Street N7 6QT Community Plan for Holloway would like to invite you to their next Community Forum. They will discuss the provision and access to local services around the new development Holloway Park. Guests include: local GP, transport experts and Loos for Islington. Light dinner will be provided. Click below to let them know you plan to attend. Mindfulness, The Stress Project Wednesdays June 11 – July 30, 6pm via Zoom Fridays June 6 – July 25, 10am The Stress Project, 2 Shelburne Rd, N7 6DL The Stress Project is running two free 8-week mindfulness courses. Learn mindfulness techniques - clinically proven to improve sleep and reduce anxiety, stress and depression. To book email: stressproject@hng.org.uk or call 0207 700 3938. Nature Wellbeing Walk Friday 6 June, 12 - 1.30pm Octopus Community Plant Nursery, N7 0EF Discover the hidden green spaces of Islington with these gentle, circular walks—lasting up to an hour and starting at one of the 'Nature Anchor' venues. Its a great way to meet new people, explore local nature and community gardens. Each walk ends with a hot drink and a chat. Saturday Socials Saturday 7 June, 12-2pm Cubitt, 8 Angel Mews, London, N1 9HH As part of 'Cubitt Invites', join Saturday Socials and artist Lucy Steggals in Studio 5 at Cubitt on Saturday 7th June, from 12–2 pm, for a creative celebration of 'Isthmus (or studio 5) - the space between, a neck - a bridge'. As always, biscuits and hot drinks will be available. You can also visit the rest of the artist studios at Cubitt. Eid on the Square Sunday 8 June, 12 – 6pm Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS Celebrate Eid on the Square 2025 – a free, family-friendly festival in the heart of London! Trafalgar Square will be buzzing with live music, dance, and performances from across the Muslim world, plus creative workshops, walkabout acts, henna, tasty global street food, and more. LGBTQIA+ History with Art & Music for Pride Month Wednesday 11 June, 6pm Union Chapel Bar (Upper Hall),19b Compton Terrace, N1 2UN Book to attend the private view of the Sunday School Stories Project’s new exhibition "Rainbow Streets: Then & Next" Enjoy artwork, co-produced with local students, inspired by Islington’s rich LGBTQIA+ heritage, to a soundtrack submitted by the Union Chapel communities. See also what's planned for Pride Month on the Forum+ website. Summer 2025 Volunteering Fair Wednesday 18 June, 12-2pm Camden Town Hall, 5 Judd Street, WC1H 9JE Whether you’re hoping to meet new people, grow your confidence, or simply give back to your community, volunteering is a fantastic way to connect with others and feel more empowered. There will be over 20 local organisations offering volunteer roles at the fair. If you are unavailable, call 07354 459 113 or email volunteer@vai.org.uk for information about volunteering. Annual Pitt Lecture 2025: Baroness Lola Young on Equality, Social JUSTICE, and 60 Years of the Race Relations Act, Thursday 19 June 7–9pm The Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon St, WC1H 0AH Book for an inspirational evening reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the UK’s Race Relations Act. Held in honour of Lord David Pitt, who dedicated his life to medicine and politics, tenaciously fighting against racism and discrimination. Baroness Lola Young is the keynote speaker – a cultural advocate, life peer, and lifelong champion of social justice. Please send your RSVP to culture@camden.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday 6 June 2025 Safe & Sound Quiz Friday 20 June 1-3pm Caxton House Community Centre, 129 St John’s Way, N19 3RQ Got the scoop on reporting a crime? Can you sniff out a phone scam faster than a hound dog? Ever heard of cuckooing? Well, get ready to flex those safety smarts in the Community Consultants' jumbo-sized quiz! Join Lloyd and the Community Consultant crew for an afternoon packed with fun and prizes galore! Free food and drink available. Whittington Park Community Centre’s Big Day Out Saturday 21 June,12-5pm Whittington Park, N19 4RS Join the Big Day Out in Whittington Park for free classes and workshops, live music performances, children’s activities, community celebration, food and stalls. Walking Netball Wednesdays 3.30-4.30pm The Old Fire Station, 84 Mayton Street N7 6QT A fun low impact version of netball for all ages. This is a friendly, welcoming group for all abilities. Booking is not required, you can just turn up for the class! If you have any questions or queries, call the Fire Station on 0207 607 9794. The NHS App is the becoming the new front door to access the NHS for patients. The NHS App gives patients a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services. Click below for an article about why so many people are downloading it, and for a link to download the app. 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)! | 