Welcome to your February Newsletter Hoping that the start of the year has been a good one for you. This time of year can be challenging with darker, colder days, but we have some great ways to boost your mood with details of social groups and gentle fitness sessions - run by Age UK Islington and also other organisations in Islington.
Don't forget the Let's Talk Peer event is helpful to go along to if you want to find out what you can do to help with the Cost of Living. Why not give it a try? See details below.
If you’ve not been feeling like yourself lately, there’s help available. The Age UK Your Mind Matters webpages or NHS Every Mind Matters webpages give useful guidance, and you can also give the Age UK Islington helpline a call.
OUR GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUP Let's Talk Peer Event, Wed 22nd Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm Feburary's session - Zoom only Let's Talk Peer Event provides the opportunity to talk about anything and everything that's to do with life in Islington. In this month's session we want to hear your thoughts about - what you'd like to discuss and who you'd like to hear from in future monthly Let's Talk Peer Events.
We'll also hear from Expert Patients Programme about their service. Park Theatre Thursday 2 February, 2pm Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 Start with tea, 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 3.15pm. To attend, it's 'pay-what-you-can' suggested donation of £3. Tea and coffee is £1. This month's play is 'The Elephant Song'. Dance Fitness - Tuesdays (weekly) 3 - 4pm Jean Stokes Community Hall, Carnoustie Drive, N1 Healthy Generations and Age UK Islington are partnering to bring a Dance Fitness class to this recently refurbished community centre in Islington. This Dance Fitness class with a mix of latin, disco and pop music, will include strength, balance and functional exercises. Take part seated or standing. British Red Cross, First Aid Online Training Thurs 16 Feb,11am-12.30pm, Wed 22 Feb, 2-3.30pm Are you interested in learning essential, life-saving first aid skills to help in an emergency? If so, our first aid workshop might be for you. These are interactive workshops, run by experienced British Red Cross educators, that build your confidence to help someone in a first aid emergency, using everyday objects around you. Breakfast Club Get Together, N1 Tues 28 Feb 3-5pm Join Age UK Islington and the Breakfast Club team for a chat and a cuppa at the Breakfast Club Get Together, Angel. We've a special edition in February to mark LGBT History Month 2023 - the Breakfast Club team will be organising a LGBT History Month themed quiz. PARTNER EVENTS & SERVICES Expert Patient Programme February Courses In-Person & Zoom Expert Patient Programme run by NHS Whittington Health is free for adults and carers with any long-term health condition e.g. COPD, chronic pain, fatigue, long COVID, fibromyalgia, multiple conditions, mild-moderate mental health problems - who live, or have a GP, in Islington. Group Sessions are held over 6 weeks, 2½ hours per week. Delivered by trained tutors who have also experience long-term conditions. Walking football Fridays 5-6pm Sobell Leisure Centre, Tollington Rd, London N7 Over 50yrs+? Come and try Walking football. It is a slowed down version of the game, ideal for people who want to get fit or maintain an active lifestyle. Sessions will be delivered by a coach from Arsenal Football Club. All abilities are welcome. Sit, Stand, Walk, Talk - Weekly Thai Chi Classes Studio in Finsbury Park and online via Zoom Do you have a long-term health condition or feel you could do with a boost? ‘Sit, Stand, Walk, Talk - Tai Chi for Wellbeing’ programme has been designed for older Islington residents. Weekly group classes teach gentle therapeutic movement, breathing exercises and meditation based on the traditional Chinese practices of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. The classes can be done standing or seated. Art School with Arts 4 Dementia: starts Sat Feb 25, 2pm Central Saint Martins, Kings Cross, N1C An amazing opportunity to join a series of supportive sessions hosted by one of the leading Art schools in the country! It's free for individuals with early-stage dementia, mild cognitive impairment and their ccompanions. No experience necessary and materials will be provided. Go along to be creative, form new skills and make new connections. Places limited & booking is essential! Camden & Islington LGBT History Month forum+ is very proud to present a fantastic programme of activities and events celebrating Camden & Islington LGBT History Month. They are inviting all the community to join the festivities and explore local LGBT history through exhibitions, guided walks, film screenings, spoken word, talks and more! More useful services & guidance More Life Weight Management Service If you've found that you've gained some kilos that you'd like some support to lose, take a look at the More Life weight management service that's running in Islington. Spotting scams & fraudsters To help spot potential scams and fraudsters to minimise the risk of becoming a victim, there's some useful guidance from TV Licensing here. Islington Working For information about local job opportunities, help to find the best role for you and making applications including one-to-one employment coaching, contact iWork on iwork@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 2651 Covid & Flu Vaccines Anyone yet to get their Covid booster, is being urged to do so by 12 February. Find out where you can get yours here. 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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