We'd like to share the latest information, activities and workshops to help Islington carers make a good start to 2021!
There are some fabulous activities coming up which might be of interest to you and your cared for - to help keep you active and informed.
Look out for the free Future Matters workshop to help you to learn about recording not just your financial wishes (as you would in a will), but your personal health care wishes as well (vital for a paramedic, out of hours GP or emergency department to know). The new year is always a good opportunity to get organised!
Join the next Carers Support Group!
The next Carers Support Group is taking place on Wednesday 27th January 10.30am – 12.00pm. Join fellow carers to talk about all things to do with caring in Islington! We'll look forward to seeing you!
The group is hosted on Zoom by Yvonne Carrera-Curtis, from Islington Carers Hub and there will be a guest speaker from Gentle Dusk to talk about the Future Matters service that they run with Age UK Islington, and upcoming free workshops.
Have you completed the Islington Council Carers survey yet? The council wants to hear from as many carers as possible in the borough - 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.
1) A New Year's Resolution that Could Last a Lifetime!
Thursday 21st January, 11.30am - 12.45pm
Start the New Year with a Resolution that Lasts a Lifetime! Join our FREE online Future Matters Workshop about Advance Care Plans.
Do you have a New Year's Resolution to put in place a will? In the same way as it's good practice to have a will to protect our family and loved ones, it's also really important to document our own future health care wishes - in an Advance Care Plan. You should encourage family members to do the same. Future Matters helps you to do this using Coordinate My Care, an online advance care planning service from the NHS.
“Recording your health and personal wishes through the NHS Coordinate My Care service can be crucial in guiding medical decisions and ensuring the best treatment for you,” explains Dr Rosanna Lombardo, GP at Ritchie Street Group Practice in Islington.
Click below for more information about the workshop on 21st Jan and how you can get a free plan put in place.
If you're self-isolating at home and unable to get to the shops, or if the person you're caring for is in this situation, there's lots of ways of getting shopping delivered to your home. Please see our guide below.
To get help with setting up an online shop for the first time, you can book some one-to-one support with one of our Age UK Islington Digital volunteers.
Our Helpline 020 7281 6018 can also connect you to local volunteer groups who can help pick up small amounts of groceries and prescriptions on your behalf.
Lots of us experience stress and anxiety in life, but too often don't think about taking steps to help reduce it. Practicing "Mindfulness" can improve physical and mental health, e.g. improving sleep, relieving chronic pain, improving relationships and much more.
The Stress Project, delivered by Holloway Neighbourhood group is running another Mindfulness Course. This is starting on 7th April at will take place on Wednesdays. Click for more information and to book.
It's really good news that the government recently advised that unpaid carers aged 65+ will shortly be eligible to receive the vaccine, alongside members of the first four 'priority risk groups' including everyone aged 80yrs +. Unpaid carers under the age of 65, will be prioritised in Group 6 for invitation for the Covid-19 vaccine.
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.
We're delighted that we have two fabulous guest speakers from the National Gallery joining us for our upcoming Painting Appreciation sessions in January.
19th January: Nick Pace is a specialist in Old Master techniques and studio practices and regularly exhibits at the Royal Academy Summer Show.
26th January: Bethan Durie's specialisms include design, contemporary illustration, and printmaking.
Nature's Pure Love is offering a free workshop for Age UK Islington and Islington Carers Hub clients. Participants will be introduced to Aroma-Touch Techniques and other simple self-help methods which could help with arthritis and pain management.
Sit, Stand, Walk, Talk is a FREE wellbeing programme teaching traditional Taiji Quan and Qi Gong therapeutic and meditational practices. It has been developed specifically for older people and those with significant and debilitating health conditions, and includes a focus on falls prevention. It sounds wonderful and includes time for a chat over a cup of tea.
Sign up for this FREE 10 week group exercise and health discussion course designed to improve both the physical and mental health of older adults, online.
The course is designed to create lower body strength and balance. It also aims to provide knowledge about nutrition, sleep, stress and help improve mental health through exercise, lifestyle and behaviour change.
Are you worried about other things? You can call to talk to us about anything that you are concerned about. This might be if you're feeling low, for bereavement support, or about housing or money worries.....
