Welcome to your May Newsletter Sharing the latest guides, activities and resources from Age UK Islington and other local organisations. Staying Well: Managing your Health & Keeping Well
Thurs 23 May Jean Stokes Community Centre N1 Feel like you could do with a boost in life? Or perhaps you want to know about opportunities to keep active, or what you can do to manage an existing health condition? Book for the morning session - we are going to be joined by Arsenal in the Community for the morning session including a focus on Men's Health and free Health MOTs. Find out about local health services, try fun taster activities, a quiz and enjoy food and refreshments (there are still some spaces for the morning session, but the afternoon session is fully booked). Drop by for a brew! Islington Green, Wednesday 8 May, 11am - 3pm In the lead-up to national campaign 'Dying Matters Week' you might have recently heard features on BBC programmes and in the media about the importance of discussions with loved ones about things like Lasting Powers of Attorney? The Future Matters team is going to be at Islington Green on Wednesday 8 May with their coffee trike to answer any questions about Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills, etc. They are also hosting a number of free bookable information sessions in May at different Islington community venues. You can get free follow-up appointments too. Dementia Awareness Week 13-19 May Linking to Dementia Awareness Week 13-19 May, we spoke to Islington GP, Dr Beth Griggs at the Clerkenwell Medical practice about the importance of getting an early dementia diagnosis. Click below to read the interview with Beth and to find out more about dementia-friendly activities, useful information and dementia-support services in Islington. GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUPS Please note that booking is essential for all Age UK Islington activities. Age UK Islington Get Togethers Did you know that Age UK Islington provides a number of weekly and monthly regular Get Together activities, including social sports get togethers, dance fitness, Park Cuppas, online yoga and more?
Many of you will know that Carmen our Activities Co-ordinator has handed on the baton to Jane Stokes who will be joining us alongside Synnove Kershaw, our Volunteer Co-ordinator. We look forward to introducing them properly in the next edition. I know that Carmen said goodbye to lots of people, but wanted to say goodbye to you all. So sending her best wishes. Let's Talk Peer Event - Spring Party Friday 24 May, 11am-1.30pm LIFT Islington, 45 White Lion Street, N1 9PW Let’s Talk Spring Party for registered members to come together and socialise and have a fun time! Only those with reserved seats will be able to attend our Let's Talk Spring Party. Please be aware that this event is not suitable to people who are sensitive to loud music. Self-Advocacy Workshop Wednesday 8 May, 2-5pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Drive, N1 0DX Self-advocacy is being able to speak up for yourself and being able to ask for the things that are important to you. In this workshop, we'll go over why self-advocacy is important and what are the barriers for it, to then learn and practice self-advocacy skills. Run by partner organisation, Rethink, this session will be particularly useful for those who are facing issues dealing with organisations. Click below for the form to request a place and we will confirm your place on Tuesday next week. Visit to Kew Gardens Wednesday 29 May, 11.30am - 1.30pm Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AE In May, the Kew Gardens spring to life (literally) and the blooming of bluebells are especially popular among visitors. If that is not enough, you'll have the opportunity to explore a brand new exhibition from leading contemporary artist Marc Quinn, along with a presentation of artworks in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art.
There will be two volunteers to meet you. You're welcome to stay with them during the whole visit, but bear in mind that this won't be a guided tour. Maps are provided at the venue if you prefer to do the visit at your own pace. Click below for the form to request a place and we will confirm your place in advance of the event.
Park Cuppa @ Islington Ecology Centre (monthly) Tuesday 21 May, 10.30am-12pm Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH Drop-in for a cup of tea and a chat with other Islington locals. Park Cuppa is hosted by Age UK Islington together with Islington Ecology Centre. It's a wonderful venue in Gillespie Park, Islington's largest nature reserve. The centre is all on one level and fully accessible. No need to book. Breakfast Club Get Together, Tuesday 28 May, 2-4pm Our monthly Breakfast Club Get Together is taking place at this popular Angel cafe. Please note that this venue is not accessible - there are five steps to access the cafe and a flight of stairs to get to the toilets. As there are a limited number of places, clients who have not previously attended will be given priority booking. Click below for the form to request a place and we will confirm your place in advance of the event. What's happening in Gillespie Park in May? Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH Starting with the monthly Health and Nature walk on Friday 1st May, 10am-11am, there's lots going on in this hidden corner of Islington and this spring is the ideal time to discover it. Join the team to appreciate the dawn chorus on Sunday 5th or a series of Islington in Bloom Talks taking place. We're also looking forward to a dementia-friendly sensory walk and the regular monthly Park Cuppa. Click below to see the poster with details about what's on. Tai Chi Every Friday 11.30am - 12.30pm Old Fire Station, 84 Mayton Street, N7 6QT Tai Chi is great form of gentle exercise for all ages. It can improve strength, balance and stability. The group that meets at the Old Fire Station is friendly and welcoming, gentle and slow-paced - why not give it a try? Call 020 7607 9794 or email firestation@hng.org.uk to register and join, or click below. The event only takes place in person now. Afternoon Tea Dance Monday 27 May, 2.30 - 4.30pm Vibast Community Centre,167 Old Street, EC1V 9NH Taking place on the last Monday of every month, enjoy this fun event with
Vera the Diva (£3 & you'll need to register for Vibast). Learn some steps, improve your moves and enjoy some cake and good music with friends! To book your place call 07547 867921/07547 867901 or email Vibast@islington.gov.uk 60+ free swimming lessons Ironmonger Row Baths (Fridays) Highbury Leisure Centre (Mondays & Thursdays) Archway Leisure Centre (Wednesdays) Cally Pool (Wednesdays) For beginners & intermediates Better are offering free swimming lessons for Islington residents aged 60 and over. Sessions are delivered by qualified teachers and run in partnership with Islington Council. For the times of the lessons and to apply to join them, please visit the link below. Green Guardians Gardening by The Garden Classroom Wednesdays, 10am-12pm (1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd May) TGC Hut, Newington Green, N1 4RF Thursdays, 10am - 12pm (2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd May) Hillside Park Entrance by Caxton House Community Centre, N19 3RQ
Fridays, 10am – 12pm (3rd, 10th, 17th and 23rd May) Market Road Garden, Market Road, N7 9GT Drop-in community gardening in Islington Parks. All tools and refreshments provided. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Sessions finish with tea, coffee and fancy biscuits. No need to book, just turn up. Floral Collage Workshop and Private Tour of Alchemy Exhibition for participants with dementia and carers Sat 11 May 2024 9.30am - 11am Townsend Yard, London N6 5JF Join Alice McCabe, to see the Alchemy exhibition and a tour of the Omved garden. This will be followed by a workshop to create a collage using flowers and natural materials, in reponse to the garden and exhibition. Age UK Islington clients are invited to book a place for free, via the link below. Islington Giving/Cripplegate have launched the Spring round of Make It Happen. The Make It Happen fund is a small grants scheme for Islington residents that offers funding up to a maximum of £500 for people to act on things they care about locally. The purpose of the fund is to bring people together and do something that makes them feel proud of where they live. The closing date for applications is Monday 20th May. Click below for the information and application form. Being aware of possible scams Phone, text and email scams are prevalent and change all the time. It is easy to be taken in by them. Which?, the consumer association, has produced a very useful article on some of the latest scams doing the rounds and how to avoid them. Also click below for the Age UK guide to let you know what to look out for. The national booking system for this year’s COVID-19 spring vaccination opened on 15th April. People who are eligible include those who have a weakened immune system or who are 75 years old or over. For further details and how to get the vaccine click below. 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)! | 
