Welcome to your April Newsletter Sharing the latest guides and activities from Age UK Islington and other local organisations. Click on the links to access a wealth of resources and find out what's available to you here in Islington! Happier Outdoors Festival The Happier Outdoors Festival is back for 2025. Being in nature is good for us! Research reveals that being in a green space for just two hours a week can make us feel better mentally and physically. With this in mind and to make the most of the wonderful spring weather, we've put together a guide of outdoor free and affordable activities.
Islington has lots going on in local green spaces - whether this is community gardening projects, guided walks or activities taking place in parks. The Age UK Islington Social Prescribing Team recently visited the inspirational Octopus Community Plant Nursery in Tufnell Park, part of one of 18 designated 'Nature Neighbourhoods' in the UK!
Click below to find out about the visit and for our full guide to find out about what might be of interest to you - including Age UK Islington special trips and outdoor events for April! Need help to save money on your energy bills? The energy price cap is going up on 1 April 2025 which will affect the energy bills for those people who are not on fixed rate energy tariffs. Click below to find out how this likely to affect you in our 'Making Savings on your Energy Bills' guide. This includes resources from our Energy Saving Workshop last month delivered by Islington Adult Community Learning (ACL) and details of services that can offer further support. Keeping Active in Islington The March 2025 Let's Talk was all about the benefits of keeping active and how it can play an important role in helping to reduce the risk of physical health conditions, such as a stroke or dementia and also in reducing joint pain. Find out details of free and affordable ways to keep active that were shared at the event and lots of helpful resources - including a Keep Active Day information event on Wednesday 7th May. Let's Talk: Lunch Clubs and Digital Support Thursday 17 April,10.45am-1.30pm Islington Council Community Space, 222 Upper Street N1 1XR Don’t miss out on the next Age UK Islington Let's Talk event! This monthly forum is a fantastic opportunity to stay informed and connect with others in a relaxed and social atmosphere.
This month, we're going to be hearing from partners in Islington about nutrition for good health, how to do an online supermarket shop so you can have groceries delivered to your home and an introduction to the digital support that is available in Islington.
Join us for an engaging and informative morning, with refreshments, a light lunch, and plenty of time for discussion. Kew Gardens Trip Thursday 24 April, 11.30am Kew Gardens, Victoria Gate, Kew Gardens, TW9 3JR Join us at Kew Gardens to welcome summer in this free visit organised by Age UK Islington. Two volunteers will be there to greet you at the main gate, and you’re welcome to stay with them throughout the visit. NB. this is not a guided tour. Maps will be provided if you prefer to explore at your own pace. Remember to wear comfortable shoes! Booking is essential. Click below to request your place. Park Cuppa Special Edition: 'Memories of Summer Heatwaves'
Wednesday 30 April,11am-12pm Cally Clock Tower, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Join us for a special edition of Park Cuppa. Special guest speaker Dr Jon Winder from Liverpool University will be hosting a discussion about summers gone by!
We'll discuss things like, "What did you do in the summer as a child? What was it like during the 1976 or 2003 heatwave?" Whether you love or loathe the heat, book a place to come along to share your story! Tech Break
Friday 4 April,12-1pm via Zoom Join knowledgeable volunteer, Simon, for this month's Tech Break. In this session Simon is going to be showing us how ChatGPT enables us to 'speak' to Chat GPT using our voices rather than typing in text to a digital device. This can enable any digital device to be used like a voice operated digital speaker - a bit like the way Amazon-owned Alexa is used. Click below to book and get a Zoom link to join the session. Looking for a gentle fitness activity to enjoy weekly while meeting new people? Check out some of the regular weekly Get Togethers hosted by Better Leisure and Healthy Generations including multi-sports sessions, dance fitness and pilates. There are also fun in-person activities like the Lego Get Together, Park Cuppa, and online options like Music and Art Appreciation. Details of these weekly Get Togethers are always available on the Age UK Islington website. Bin Less, Save More Challenge Thursday 3 April, 6-8pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, just off the Caledonian Road N1 0DX Take part in the Bin Less Save More challenge and save up to £1000 each year. Come along to this free workshop and cooking class and learn how to make your food go further and waste less! For more information and to reserve your place click the button below. St Luke's Eid Party Friday 4 April, 4-7pm St Luke's Community Centre, 90 Central St, EC1V 8AJ You are warmly welcomed to join the Eid celebrations at St Luke’s Community Centre. Including food, singing, dancing, kids’ activities and your wonderful community. Free entry.
Vibast’s 2nd Anniversary Eid Celebration Saturday 5 April, 12-3pm Vibast Community Centre, Old Street, EC1V 9NH Come along to mark the end of Ramadan and two fantastic years of Vibast! Fun for all the family with a bouncy castle, popcorn, candy floss, face painting, henna, arts and crafts. Free food. Everyone welcome. Free Art Classes Wednesdays 9 and 16 April, 11.30am-1.30pm Old Fire Station Community Centre, 84 Mayton Street, N7 6QT Free art classes at the Old Fire Station. No need to book. For more information call 020 7607 9794 or pop into reception at the Old Fire Station. For the latest timetable of activities at the Old Fire Station, click below.
Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies Walk Wednesday 16 April, 9.30am Highbury Leisure Centre, Highbury Crescent, N5 IRR Healthy Minds Healthy Bodies are doing a special walk on 16th April where they will be joined by the Islington Mayor. They will leave from outside Highbury Leisure Centre for three leisurely laps around Highbury Fields then head over to the White Swan Wetherspoons for a coffee. All welcome, no need to book!
Islington Adult Community Learning Enrolment Days Thursday 24, Friday 25 April, 9.30am-4pm (last assessment 3.15pm) The Community Centre, 76 Parkhurst Road, N7 0FF If you are 19 or over and either unemployed or earning less than £27,007 you are eligible for these free courses with Islington Adult Community Learning. Topics include digital skills, English, maths, employability skills and English as a second language. Click below for details about their enrolment days. Sewing Course with Adult Community Learning New course 24 April, Thursdays 10am to 12pm Hilldrop Community Centre, Community Lane, Hilldrop Road, N7 0JE Free 10-week course for sewers who want to improve their skills, get creative with their own projects or collaborate on community works. All levels are welcome. Equipment provided. To register your interest please email: acl@islington.gov.uk or pop in to speak to the tutor on Thursday mornings. Islington Health and History Walks Duncan Terrace and Regents Canal Friday 25 April, 11am Meet at 39 Duncan Terrace, N1 8AL Led by Islington Guided Walks these are gentle paced walks through green spaces, with expert local history guides. For more information about each walk including meeting points click below. Last Friday of the month, no need to book, just turn up! Intergenerational Event Saturday 26 April,10am - 1pm Islington Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PG Join in the intergenerational fun with food, music, talks and activities for all ages! Help to spot wildlife and contribute to the City Nature Challenge by recording as many species as we can! No need to book. Whittington Health Expert Patients Programme Starting Wednesday 23 April,10am-1pm (Wednesdays for 7 weeks) Manage your Type 2 diabetes and gain control of your health in just 7 weeks. For more information Tel:0207 527 1189/1558/1707 or e-mail: whh-tr.Self-Management@nhs.net Cycling Opportunities in Islington Islington Council and partners run free classes for all ages and abilities. On Mondays, there are ‘silver cycling’ sessions for people over 60 in Highbury Fields, with adapted bikes to make cycling accessible for all and women-only sessions at the Andover estate with JoyRiders. General adult sessions take place at Winton Primary School on the first and third Saturday of every month. Yoga and Keep Fit Classes Highbury Roundhouse, 71 Ronalds Road, N5 1XB Chair based Pilates with Kate: Tuesdays 10.30-11.30am, £3 per session Keep fit with Gee: Tuesdays 1.30-2.30pm, £5 per session Keep fit with Liz: Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am, £3 per session. For the latest timetable of activities at Highbuy Roundhouse, click below. Knit & Natter Thursdays 12pm–1pm Whittington Park Community Centre (Lounge), Yerbury Road N19 4RS Looking for a cosy way to spend your Thursday afternoon? Come along to Knit & Natter the perfect spot to meet new people and enjoy a good chat while your knitting needles (or crochet hooks) click away. Whether you're an experienced knitter, or just starting out, everyone is welcome. It’s a warm, inclusive space open to all ages and genders. Free. No need to book. For the latest timetable of activities at Whittington Park Community Centre, click below. Booking Dial-a-ride trips Dial-a-Ride is a community mini-bus service for people who have difficulty using regular public transport due to disabilities, health conditions, or mobility limitations. Passengers pre-book to be picked up and dropped off at their homes or desired destinations and it operates 7 days a week, 7am - 11pm. Passengers can book journeys through a phone call or online app. For more information about how to book, click below. Interested in taking part in a study at City Uni? The Psychology team at City, University of London, are looking for volunteers to take part in a study assessing the impact of stroke on creativity. You would need to be aged 50-80 and have never had a stroke. It would take about one hour in person at City, University of London. You will receive a £15 love2shop voucher for completing all the tasks. For more information about this study, or to volunteer please contact: Hannah Thompson, Department of Psychology Hannah.thompson@city.ac.uk Scotscare is a London based charity helping first or second generation Scots resident in London. Their services include grant giving for essential household items only, and education and training for adults. Income will be checked prior to grant allocation. Also sheltered housing for those 55+, or 50 with disability although there is a current waiting list. For more information click below to visit their website. 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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