Islington Carers Hub is here to provide advice, information and support to all carers aged 18 or over who live or work in Islington or care for someone living in Islington.
|
|
Dear Islington Carer,
Welcome to Islington Carers Hub March newsletter!
How are you? We hope all is going well these brighter days. If you need some encouragement to take some time out for yourself, we're delighted to announce some new in-person get togethers starting from March. Our Carers Support Groups will continue online for now, and this month we're being joined by the Assistive Technology Team who will be able to share useful information about technology that will give many carers peace of mind.
|
|---|
NEWS
|
|---|
Getting help with rising energy costs
|
|
Earlier this month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited a local Age UK to meet older people and discuss the financial support that's been made available in response to the rise in energy bills. The Chancellor announced a reduction in council tax on properties in bands A to D and a £200 rebate on energy bills in the form of a loan. For more information about how energy costs are affecting people and the schemes that are available to help, read our updated guide by clicking below.
|
|---|
|
|---|
Meet Ros Jacobs, the Carers Governor at UCL Hospitals
|
|---|
Ros Jacobs is Carer Governor at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). We interviewed her to find out more about her role and how she represents unpaid carers like herself at UCLH. Ros cares for her daughter who has a complex condition, her son-in-law and father. We asked her about the challenges she faces and for any advice that she'd want to share with others when it comes to managing care for a family member.
|
|---|
|
|---|
Age UK London "London Loos" Campaign
|
|---|
One in five of us experience ‘the loo leash’ where we don’t leave our homes as much as we might like because we are anxious that we won’t be able to find a toilet when we need to. The same concern can mean we drink less than we should, which can lead to dehydration. For those that can’t walk or wheel far or fast the lack of toilets can be more acute. Age UK London are running a campaign to improve access to public toilets. To see the map produced by TfL and find out more about the Age UK London campaign, click below.
|
|---|
OUR GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUPS
|
|
|
|---|
Carers Support Group, Wed 23rd March, 10.30am - 12pm
with guest speaker from Assistive Technology Team
|
|---|
Will you be able to join us for this month's Carers Support Group? It's a good opportunity to meet other local carers - to share experiences and take some time out for yourself. Even if you can't stay for the whole time, do join us for as long as you can. We'll be meeting on Zoom.
This month, we'll be joined by the new Islington Assistive Technology service. Assistive Technology (sometimes referred to as ‘Telecare’) is equipment that can help Islington residents to remain independent. Adults who are at risk of falling, getting lost outside the home, leaving the gas or heaters on and many other circumstances could benefit - to help them and to give you peace of mind.
Email the Carers Hub team to let them know you plan to attend and get a zoom link to join on the day.
|
|---|
|
|---|
|
|---|
Park Theatre Get Together & Show, Thursday 3rd March, 2pm
|
|---|
Our much loved Park Theatre shows have started again for Age UK Islington clients. In March there will be a matinee 'pay-what-you-can' performance of "Never Not Once". Booking is on a first-come-first-served basis. Start with tea or 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.
|
|---|
|
|---|
|
|---|
New Islington Better Sports Get Togethers
|
|---|
Did you see the article about the Sobell Better Get Together in the Islington Tribune in December? Sobell Sports Get Together is a fun, relaxed social (for adults 50yrs+) where you can try a variety of sports - badminton, table tennis, bowling, dominoes and zumba. There's also lots of time for a chat together over a coffee.
We're delighted that from Thursday 3rd March there be will a further weekly session at Sobell and a new session at Finsbury Leisure centre in the south of the borough from Wednesday 9th March. Tuesdays & Thursdays (Sobell) 10.30am-1pm Wednesdays (Finsbury) 10am - 12pm. For more information, please click the button below.
|
|---|
|
|---|
|
|---|
NETWORK EVENTS & PROJECTS
|
|---|
Dementia Carers Training Events
|
|---|
Have you come across these informative online sessions from the national Dementia Carers organisation? The sessions are delivered by experienced dementia health and care professionals.
- Memory Changes Thursday 3rd March at 1pm
- Understanding mental capacity Monday 7th March at 1pm
- Keeping the communication going Wednesday 9th March at 1.30pm
- Care homes: What to consider Starts Monday 14th March at 1.30pm
- The hidden challenges of dementia Wednesday 16th March at 1.30pm
|
|---|
|
|---|
Walking Football
|
|---|
Starting from Thursday 3 March, 10.30am - 11.30am, Sobell Leisure Centre is hosting Walking Football. This means that there will be two fantastic sessions every week - one hosted by Arsenal in the Community at their community hub and the other by Better Leisure who run Sobell. Walking football is a slowed down version of the game, ideal for people who want to get fit or maintain an active lifestyle. Arsenal's weekly sessions are taking place 10 - 11am on Wednesdays.
|
|---|
|
|---|
Find a warm welcome & get fit in your local park
|
|---|
One of the nicest ways to exercise has got to be outdoors in a local park. You get to experience being in nature, do something social with the added benefit of getting fitter. These Keep Fit Workouts are part of a series of activities taking place in Islington parks. There's everything from gardening, walks to arts & crafts activities to full body workouts. See the Parks website.
Healthy Generations is hosting two new Keep Fit activities. Join instructor Sarah Jane Moss who is going to be leading a workout on Mondays at 10.30am in Dartmouth Park or on Fridays at 9.45am in Highbury Fields. They are both free, with an optional donation of £3.
|
|---|
|
|---|
Healthwatch Islington events
|
|---|
Healthwatch Islington have two events coming up about health-related issues that might be of interest to you.
2 March, 2 to 3pm - they will be joined by a researcher from University College London Hospitals (UCLH) who will present on hearing conditions and hearing loss and will also answer questions. Book a place using the following link:
Hearing Conditions & Hearing Loss event
21 March, 11 to 12.30pm – Community Physiotherapy explained. We will be joined by staff from Whittington Health Community Services and the Islington GP Federation who will take us through this topic and answer your questions. Book a place using the following link:
|
|---|
People-Friendly Streets Consultation
|
|
Islington Council is inviting local people to have their say on the Highbury people-friendly streets neighbourhoods. The Highbury West and Highbury Fields people-friendly streets neighbourhoods were introduced in January 2021 as 18-month trials. So that local people can have their say on whether the two Highbury trials should be made permanent, changed, or removed, the council has launched a public consultation which will remain open until Monday 14 March.
|
|---|
|
|---|
Survey about Islington Pharmacies
In partnership with Islington Health and Wellbeing Board, Islington Council are currently undertaking a review of pharmacy needs and services across the borough. As part of this review, they're seeking feedback from residents on their pharmacy experiences - what they like and don’t like, and the kinds of things they need, want, or expect from their pharmacy now and into the future.
Please tell them what you think of local pharmacy services, to help improve the services so they work for you. To take this short, confidential survey to share your views click the button below.
|
|---|
Flu & Covid-19 Vaccines
Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, friends and family from Covid-19 and flu. Click the button below for more information about eligibility and how to book the vaccines.
|
|---|
|
|---|