Welcome to your November Newsletter Sharing the latest guides, activities and resources from Islington Carers Hub, Age UK Islington and other local organisations. Carers Rights Day Event Thursday 21 November 10.30am – 3pm
Upper Holloway Baptist Church, 11 Tollington Way, N7 6RG
Carers Rights Day is an annual campaign to celebrate the contribution of unpaid carers. Each year, Carers Rights Day brings organisations across the UK together to help carers in their local community find out how to get the help and support they are entitled to. Take some time out for yourself, and join us to hear from local services and meet other Islington carers! Worried about your energy bills? Coming into the colder months you might be worried about your energy bills. There is however, help available for those on a low income.
Pension Credit (if you're of state pension age) and some other means-tested benefits are important in being able access some of this help. Even if you own your own home or have savings, it is worth looking into. See the Age UK guide: Government Help for Energy Bills for more information and the Carers UK guide: Applying for Pension Credit.
You can also find out more about Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits at our November Let's Talk session. We'll also be joined by a guest speaker from Islington Council at this month's Let's Talk who will be letting us know more about Pension Credit, why it is important and who is eligible. For more information and to book a place, click the button below. Managed migration of some benefits to Universal Credit Universal Credit has been rolled out nationally and now replaces new claims for a number of working age benefits (benefits for people under State Pension age). Those people affected by these changes will receive a letter from the government.
Money Saving Expert website explain "IF you have received a letter about the benefits you currently receive, you'll soon be moved onto Universal Credit. The move isn’t automatic – once you get a letter, you'll have to take action within the time set out otherwise you could lose your income-related benefits. Don't ignore the letter about moving to Universal Credit." See the full article.
Again, you can find out more about the change over to Universal Credit, in-person at our Let's Talk session on 14 November. For more information and to book a place, click below. 'Black Friday' shopping discounts With all the expenditure at this time of year in the run-up to the festive season, you might want to check out this guide from Islington Carers Hub's partner Mobilise. Good news in the Budget for Carers Carers UK has reported that "the Chancellor, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, will announce....a rise in the earnings limit on Carer's Allowance, the main carers' benefit, to the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage in her Budget next week. This will mean that 60,000 more carers will be eligible for Carer's Allowance, with the rise in earnings allowing unpaid carers to earn £30 more per week than they could previously. GET TOGETHERS EXCLUSIVE TO ISLINGTON CARERS Please note that booking is essential for all Islington Carers Hub and Age UK Islington activities. 'Carers for Carers' Monthly Meet-Up Tuesday 12 November 10.30am-12pm Duke of Cambridge, 30 St Peter's St, N1 8JT The Duke of Cambridge is a comfortable venue and there will be tea and coffee provided. Three Islington carers, Stella, Jeanne and Wendy will be there to meet you. It's a good place to decompress and to get to know other carers. Carers Strategy Steering Group Monday 25 November 2-3.30pm Islington Town Hall, Upper St, London N1 2UD The Carers Strategy Steering Group was set up for carers to have an opportunity to be a part of the delivery plan for Islington's Adult Carers’ Strategy, which was launched in June 2024. This month we'd like your help in answering some questions that will help us put the right support in place as part of carers’ strategy. So please come along so you can have your say about what support is implemented for you and other carers in the borough. GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUPS Please note that booking is essential for all Islington Carers Hub and Age UK Islington activities. Park Cuppa Special Edition with Arsenal Wednesday 13 November 11am-12pm Cally Clock Tower Centre, Caledonian Park, N7 9PL Join our small group for a chat and to share memories over a cuppa in this lovely location. Samir, from Arsenal in the Community, will be in attendance to discuss history, current affairs, sport and community issues. To request a place, click below. Let's Talk Peer Event Thursday 14 November 10.30am-1.30pm Upper Holloway Baptist Church, 11 Tollington Way, N7 6RG Find out about the migration of certain benefits to universal credit and what to look out for. We'll also be discussing the importance of Pension Credit. There will be plenty of time for questions. If there's anything you'd particularly like to know about relating to the topic, then let us know in the booking form. Pop-up vaccine clinic. Booking for the event is essential. iCope Moodbooster Workshop
Thursday 14 November 1.30-3.30pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Dr, N1 0DX This workshop provided by iCope will introduce you to ways to help you feel more motivated and techniques to challenge negative and unhelpful thinking habits. Booking is essential. Click below to request a place. Nurturing Compassion, The Recovery College
Tuesday 19 November 10.30am-12pm Islington Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH We're partnering with The Recovery College to invite you to look at the benefit of practising self-compassion and how to develop a more caring relationship with yourself. We often find it easy to show kindness and compassion to others, but what about us? Let’s explore how self-compassion can help you to respond to suffering and stress with kindness, understanding, and care. Park Cuppa with the British Museum
Wednesday 27 November 11am - 12pm Cally Clock Tower, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Join us for this special Park Cuppa session with the British Museum with the theme 'Objects of Comfort'. Explore how different objects from around the world provide people with comfort or offer protection, and discuss the things that make you feel comfortable. Festive Party Friday 6 December, 12 - 4.15pm Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London N1 0QH We're planning a Festive Party together with Islington Business Design Centre for Friday 6th December. There will be a 3 course lunch, games, raffle and singing.
To request a place, please click below to complete the booking request form. There are lots of places, but in the event that there is more demand than places, we will allocate the places on a lottery basis. If you have already contacted Age UK Islington to try and book already, can we ask that you still complete the booking form. Bookings will be confirmed by 21 November. Recovery College In-Person Course Enrolments Mondays 10am-1pm: 4 November to 2 December
Tuesdays 2-4pm: 5 to 26 November
West Wing reception at St Pancras Hospital, NW1 0PE
The Recovery College offers a comprehensive range of free health and wellbeing courses open to anyone who lives, works, volunteers or receives services in Camden and Islington. From yoga, meditation to courses to helping to build healthy relationships or cope with anxiety or difficult emotions. Click below to browse the course guide. You can either register online or attend an in-person enrolment on the dates above. Whittington Health Expert Patients Programme
Starting Wednesday 6 November 6-8.30pm for 6 weeks Having a health condition such as, low mood, pain, depression, or diabetes can cause daily challenges. The Expert Patient Programme self-management support programmes are led by people who know what it’s like and can make all the difference. Topics covered include dealing with symptoms, coping with depression or feeling low, guidance about communicating with family, friends and health professionals. There is a 6 week course for all health conditions or a 2 week Diabetes Management course starting in November. For more information call 0207 527 1189/1558/1707 or e-mail: whh-tr.Self-Management@nhs.net Drumming workshop
Mondays new course starting 11 November. 2.30 – 4pm Manor Gardens, 6-9 Manor Gardens, London, N7 6LA Master the basics of drumming over 4 weeks from a professional tutor in a relaxed setting whilst also learning about how to combat anxiety.
Call 07928 009412 or email michael@manorgardenscentre.org
To find out what regular activities take place at Manor Gardens, see their November activities timetable. Tate Gallery Talk on Angelica Kauffmann
Tuesday 12 November 5-6pm Clock Tower, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Angelica Kauffman was one of the most celebrated artists of the 18th century. Known for her celebrity portraits and pioneering history paintings, she helped to shape the direction of European art. You are invited to an online talk about Angelica Kauffman with Cindy from the Tate Gallery. Click below to join the meeting at the time of the talk. The Meeting ID: 852 0385 8281 and Passcode: r&G3g*H%. Dementia Information Sessions Tuesday 12 November 10.30am-12.30pm Central Library, 2 Fieldway Cres, N5 1PF Want to find out more about dementia? There are helpful information sessions taking place this month and next (12th December). Booking is encouraged, but not essential. Exploring the Internet with a Smartphone
Five Thursdays 2 – 4pm from 14 Nov to19 Dec North Library, Manor Gardens, London N7 6JX A step-by-step practical guide to finding genuinely useful things to do on the World Wide Web – and how to do them on a phone – safely and sensibly. You will start with your priorities and ambitions – and you
might finish with digital skills that you didn’t know existed. We offer continued support, if you need it, at our digital drop-in – every Wednesday at Mildmay Community Centre. Health and Wellbeing Event
Wednesday 20 November 1 – 5pm Muslim Welfare House, 233 Seven Sisters Rd, Finsbury Park, N4 2DA Find out what support and services are available locally to help with day to day issues. Need to speak to a health professional? General health tests, blood pressure, diabetes, other health checks. No need to book, just drop-in. Workshops to Design New Programme to Support People with COPD
26 November, 11 March, 10 June, 11am-2pm Are you living with or caring for someone with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? You can help the charity Asthma and Lung UK to design and shape a new service for people living with COPD. They are looking for people like you to attend up to 3 workshops (each 3 hours) which will take place in London N1. These will be creative sessions involving patients, healthcare professionals and others interested in improving services for people with COPD. Travel costs will be covered, and lunch will be provided. Contact amanda.p.moore@ucl.ac.uk for more information Festive Lunch Thursday 5 December 12-3pm Vibast Community Centre, Old Street EC1V 9NH Join a festive get together filled with music, food and celebration. Open to all. Tickets £5. RSVP 0207 527 4605 or vibast@islington.gov.uk. Walk-in Covid-19 and Flu Vaccinations Over 65 years old, pregnant, have a long-term condition or provide care for someone vulnerable? Get free Covid 19 and Flu walk-in vaccinations:
Central Hub N1 1XR – Wednesday 30th October 10am-2pm
Northern Hub N7 6LA – Wednesday 6th November 10am-2pm
West Library N1 1BD – Tuesday 12th November 12-3.30pm
Central Library N5 1PF – Saturday 16th November 1-5pm
Central Library N5 1PF – Thursday 21st November 1-6pm
No need to book, just turn up. Contacting Islington Carers Hub If you are in need of financial or practical guidance related to your wellbeing or for the person you care for, or simply need a listening ear, don't forget that you can call the Islington Carers Hub Helpline on 020 7281 3319 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) or email info@islingtoncarershub.org.
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