Welcome to your November Newsletter Sharing our latest news and updates!
Pain of Bills Crisis
At the end of October, Islington Tribune covered a story about the impact that the cost of living was having on an Islington carer and his family. Describing how financial stress had impacted him, he said: “There is an avalanche of debt collection letters and constant reminders of the precariousness of the situation...Sometimes, like a lot of people, I just can’t deal with looking – so I let the letters pile up.”
Read the full Islington Tribune article including how Age UK Islington was able to help.
Are you worried about money?
If you too are worried about money, or unable to pay bills, then you might be interested in attending our Let's Talk event that's coming up - see below. Or please get in touch with the Age UK Islington helpline: 020 7281 6018 / gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk
We can help identify any financial support that you might be eligible for, help you work out what action you need to take and connect you to the right specialist support for you.
Let's Talk Income Maximisation: Thurs 16 November, 10.30am LIFT, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW
Age UK Islington Information & Advice Team Leader, Shamin Noronha, is hosting a special Let’s Talk Income Maximisation - this is an opportunity to hear from prominent guest speakers and talk to community services who can provide support for Cost-of-Living related issues.
Find out more & book
Health check: Staying Well over Winter
With higher energy bills and perhaps seeing fewer people, the colder months can impact on how we feel. Covid-19 is still a threat and we should all take precautions to reduce the risk, similarly with flu – particularly if you older or have a health condition.
But with a little preparation, you can stay healthy, safe and comfortable at home this winter.
Olivia, a Social Prescribing Link Worker at Age UK Islington talks about her work helping Islington residents to stay well during the winter: Health Check: Staying Well over Winter article GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUPS Staying Well Event, Wednesday 8 November, 1pm LIFT Islington, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW Find a new skill or interest! Revive a previous ‘passion’ or your career, whatever your age or stage of life!
Whether you've been feeling a bit without direction recently or are super keen to revive an interest or a career, our Staying Well event is for you. There are still a few places remaining for the afternoon session if you'd like to join us? Booking is essential! Click below.
Let's Talk Peer Event, Wednesday 22nd Nov 10am - 2pm LIFT Islington, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW “Let’s Talk events are a co-production that empowers and enables the voice of its peers to gain knowledge, friendships and better our lives.” Islington resident, Rose-Marie McDonald
Join us for a special edition of our Let’s Talk Keeping Safe! What is Safeguarding: It means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Talks will include issues affecting those experiencing domestic abuse, homelessness, mental health and neglect.
Click the button & scroll down the Let's Talk webpage for more information. Tech Break November sessions Friday 10 & 24 November, 12-1pm (Zoom) Want to explore what your smartphone, tablet or pc can let you do? The next session is on November 10th - WhatsApp: tips and new features and on November 24th - YouTube: tips and new features.
Simon who leads the sessions has been volunteering for more than five years! He is very knowledgeable and fans of the session report "This is such a good session!"..."Simon is very good!" Why not give it a try? Popular Monthly Get Togethers Breakfast Club & Park Theatre On Tues 28th November, there will be our regular monthly Breakfast Club. And Park Theatre will be taking place on Thursday 9th November.
Please note that there are a limited number of places for these events - clients who have not previously attended the event before will be given priority booking. Intergenerational Event Sunday 5 November, 10.30am-1.30pm Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH Join the Nature Conservation Team, Bright Start and Age UK Islington for this Autumn Intergenerational Event at Islington Ecology Centre.
This event will focus on 'The Lost Words', a beautifully illustrated book by Robert MacFarlane. We invite the older generation to share their favourite memories of nature from their childhood. There will also be nature crafts, live music, sing-a-longs, refreshments & a guided walk around the reserve.
Click the button below for more information and to book via the Eventbrite.
Festive Party Friday 1 December, 12 - 4.30pm Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, N1 0QH For clients 50yrs+, The Business Design Centre and partners are organising a very special Festive Party on behalf of Age UK Islington clients. We'll be getting into the festive spirit with carol singing and games. There will be traditional Christmas food and drink. For more details, please see the Festive Party poster.
Booking is essential! Click below to email activities@ageukislington.org.uk Did you know there were sporting opportunities especially for 50yrs+
Introducing Mikael Kiviniemi Community Sports Manager for Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) in Islington. "We work in partnership with Islington Council and run the Better leisure centres in the borough. There are lots of different activities people can get involved in, including swimming, gym, fitness classes and racket sports...."
Find out more here
Surviving Winter Event Thursday 9 November, 10am - 2pm St Luke's Community Centre, 90 Central Street, EC1V 8AJ Worried about rising bills, food prices and staying healthy this winter? If so, this is a useful event to find out about support that’s available in Islington. Age UK Islington is one of the partners who will be there.
Islington People's Rights, Out of Debt Conference, Tuesday 14 Nov, 2.30-5.30pm Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, N7 6PA An opportunity for both local residents and community organisations to come together in a friendly open forum to discuss themes related to Debt in relation to the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis. Tranquil Health & Wellbeing Day Friday 17 November, 1 - 4.30pm Brickworks Community Centre, 42 Crouch Hill, N4 4BY Take part in a fun-filled afternoon plus useful information - speakers on diabetes, blood pressure, music, chair exercise, meditation and healing, zumba, sing along songs and refreshments. Age UK Islington Information & Advice session Monday 20 November, 1pm Caxton House, 129 St John's Way, London N19 3RQ Elthorne Pride offer social activities and events for local Islington residents. They run a regular weekly coffee afternoon session on Mondays between 1-3pm for elders at Caxton House Community Centre. This comes with free hot drinks and cake!
To start the session on Monday 20th November, Age UK Islington is offering a one-off information and advice session which will provide information about TV licenses, pension credit and help at home. No need to book, just drop-in and register on arrival.
Age UK Islington also provides regular drop-in sessions providing one-to-one advice every month at community venues around the borough. Making Mildmay's streets more accessible Workshops: Sat 25, Sun 26, Sun 27 Nov 2-5pm If you are a disabled Islington resident, these workshops are an opportunity to learn new skills, support your local community, and be involved in improving Islington streets.
Islington Council together with their partners AccessAble, will be running three workshops for disabled people to help assess and evaluate our roads and pavements, providing information about obstacles which can impact disabled residents. There is a payment for those taking part. Spread the Warmth Sat 4 December, 2-4pm The Old Hornsey Baths, 2 Tiltman Place, N7 7EE Organised by the Collective Acting Studio. This is a show for older people in Islington that will take everyone down memory lane with singing and dancing and a delicious homemade tea with mulled wine. Games with prizes. It will be fun entertainment and a chance for the old and the young to come together. Changeover to BT Digital Voice British Telecom customers will be contacted in the coming months to switch over to 'Digital Voice'. This means calls will be made over the broadband network rather than the 40-year-old analogue network. There is a BT factsheet here with more information. 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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