In the run-up to Christmas, here's the latest news from Islington Carers Hub!
We've lots of ideas for getting into the festive spirit with the next 10 days of our Festive Get Together calendar. The calendar includes a variety of fun social activities hosted by us and our Islington partners.
There's also details of the Helpline support that's available over the festive period, and the latest about our work supporting the delivery of the Covid vaccination programme.
Also very importantly, Islington Council are reviewing the details of their offer for unpaid carers - please can you complete their survey below.
Islington Council Carers Survey
Islington Council are reviewing their offer for unpaid carers and want to involve you in what this offer will be. The council wants to hear from as many carers as possible in the borough - your opinion is really important to them. You can complete the survey by clicking the button below.
Alternatively you can complete the survey over the phone by contacting HealthWatch Islington on 07984 445 668. Healthwatch Islington is an independent, organisation speaking to local carers as part of this engagement.
Have you tried one of the Festive Calendar activities yet? There's definitely something for everyone! If you like singing, you might want to take part in the North London Cares karaoke taking place on Tuesday 22nd. They're also hosting a social phone-in activity on Christmas Eve, as part of their busy programme.
If you'd like to meet others over a coffee for a chat, Claremont have a social coffee morning planned for Chistmas Eve and a fun Get Together on Christmas morning. And we have a festive edition of our Painting Appreciation (see details below). There's lots more to engage and entertain you, right through to the new year!
If you haven't tried an online event before, it's a great opportunity to give one a try! You can click on the activities in the calendar for more information and for details of how to book. For the online activities, the host will send you a link to click on at the time of the event.
Our Festive Calendar contains a sample of what's taking place! Our Helpline has full details of our partners' festive programmes. Call our Helpline on 020 7281 6018, Monday to Friday 9am till 5pm (or email us by clicking on the link below).
Join us for a special festive painting appreciation session. We'll be having a fun quiz covering lots of different artists and styles of paintings, with group host Karolina. Come and test your art knowledge and have the opportunity to win a prize. There will be the opportunity to register for more painting appreciation sessions in 2021!
For 12 days over the Christmas and New Year period, you’ll be able to watch performances on the YouTube channels of theatres across London and the UK. London venues taking part include the Donmar Warehouse, Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells. There's the option to make a donation, but you can watch these performances for free.
Age UK Islington, who runs Islington Carers Hub, has been working together with the Islington GP Federation, North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group and other community partners including Manor Gardens Welfare Trust and Help On Your Doorstep to help with the start of the Covid vaccination programme.
We've provided staff and volunteers to help as stewards, as part of what is a crucial and immense effort by health professionals in the borough to deliver the vaccine, beginning with residents over 80 yrs old.
We spoke to John, aged 84 years, who had the first part of the vaccine earlier this week, at the Bingfield Health Centre. He said, "I was a bit nervous to start off with, but it went very well and....I'm glad that I'm having it done."
Please do not call your GP to try and book for the vaccine. When appropriate you will receive an invitation to book. For more information about the Covid vaccine, click below.
Islington Mind provides mental health support, including counselling services. They also host regular drop-ins, and a variety of activity groups, as well as small support groups that offer a safe space to discuss difficult topics, such as grief, anxiety, and isolation as a result of COVID-19. All activities take place remotely, via Zoom.
Islington Carer's Hubs Helpline will be able to help you as usual during the festive period: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with the exception of Christmas Day & Boxing Day (25th to 26th December) and New Year's Day (1st January)
