Welcome to your March Newsletter Sharing the latest guides, activities and resources from Age UK Islington and other local organisations here in Islington.
Save money on your energy bills The Energy Price Cap is set to rise again on 1 April. This means that if you are not on a fixed tariff (and most people are not), your gas and electricity bill is likely to go up - for some users it will go up less than others.
With this in mind, it's a really good time to be thinking about what you can do to reduce your energy costs and how to make your money go further. Age UK Islington is running an in-person Energy Saving Workshop on 13 March together with Adult Community Learning and SHINE.
Click below for further information and how to book, also for more information about the Energy Price Cap. Housing options in Islington If you couldn’t make Age UK Islington's February Let's Talk session, you can get an insight into the information shared in our Let's Talk - Housing options page! We have slides from the presentations, a list of Q&As (answers to questions from the session) and links to lots of resources. Click below to see the resources and details of support that's available: applying for a council house, sheltered housing options and help to find private rented accommodation. Ulanah, a professional mindfulness practitioner and coach from The Recovery College, led a wonderful taster Singing Workshop this month at King Square Community Centre, EC1V. Those who came along enjoyed rediscovering their voices and the power of singing with others. Singing is a great connector. For more details and how to book on to other Recovery College courses (from Nurturing Self-Compassion to Mindfulness) and for local singing groups, click below. Let's Talk: Keep Active Thursday 20 March 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 is about 'Keeping active': from hearing about the Nuffield Health Joint Pain programme to how to keep active through Islington’s parks, leisure centres, and outdoor spaces, no matter what your age or ability.
Join us for an engaging and informative morning, with refreshments, a light lunch, and plenty of time for discussion. We’d love to hear your views and help you stay active and healthy in Islington! Energy Saving Workshop
Thursday 13 March, 11am-1pm Manor Gardens, London N7 6JX Are rising energy costs making you feel worried? Need help with your energy costs? Get practical tips and guidance to reduce your energy costs in this workshop hosted by Adult Community Learning and SHINE.
Help will also be available to better understand your energy bills and how you can make your money go further. Park Cuppa Special Edition: Arsenal in the Community
Wednesday 12 March 11am-12pm Cally Clock Tower, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Join us at the charming Heritage Cally Clock Tower Centre for the second Park Cuppa of the month, hosted by Samir from Arsenal in the Community. It’s a fantastic chance to dive into a lively discussion about local history and all things community-related. And of course, the kettle will be on - so come for a cup of tea, great conversation, and find new local friends. Park Cuppa Special Edition: 'Smartphone Photography'
Wednesday 26 March 11am-12pm Cally Clock Tower, Caledonian Park, N7 9HF Join us for the last Park Cuppa of the month at the Cally Clock Tower Centre, when we always welcome a guest speaker. This time, Meredith will be guiding you to take photos with your smartphone. She will be leading a gentle wander around the park and your favourite picture will be printed out for you. If you don't have a smartphone, you'd be welcome to still attend. And, as always, the kettle will be on for a warm cuppa and a good chat. Tech Break
Friday 7 March, 12-1pm via Zoom Join knowledgeable volunteer, Simon, for this month's Tech Break. In this session we will learn about another charity called AbilityNet that does technology webinars like AgeUK's tech break. We will watch a few together and discuss some of the recent topics that they covered. 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. Help On Your Doorstep - Good Neighbours Scheme Music Project Tuesdays 25th February to 1st April, 12-2.15pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, just off the Caledonian Road N1 0DX Free workshop sessions with the London Symphony Orchestra. Play instruments, small & large! Learn a new song - which is all put together from scratch from the group through conversation, sounds, feelings, experiences. No experience needed! Possible performance at the end - to be confirmed. Light lunch provided at each session. Click below to email Help on Your Doorstep to book a place. Winter Warmers final week (Sat 1st March+) Join Islington Heritage for the final week of their Finsbury Winter Warmers programme. You can hear talented musician Lucinda Sieger on Saturday 1st March, go along to their Walking Football session on Monday 3rd March or attend a day of events for International Women’s Day on Monday March 8th. For more details, see the Winter Warmers programme. London's Annual Repair Week 3rd to 9th March Repair Week is a celebration of repair throughout London where you are invited to gain repair skills, fall back in love with your stuff and help save some money and the planet while you’re at it! There are numerous workshops happening in Islington - from textile upcycling and repair to furniture repair workshops and drop-ins to help you repair electrical and electronic items.
New Tea, Tech and Biscuits session starting Andover Estate Tuesdays 12.30-1.30pm (4th March+) Tech Tea and Biscuits connects older residents in their communities with tech support within the comfort of their nearest local community centre to become more digitally connected, confident and motivated with their tech devices. Drop-in with questions or book a 50 min session at one of their sessions in community centres across Islington. Alternative London Book Fair 2025 5th to 8th March Central Library, 2 Fieldway Cres, N5 1PF Coinciding with the start of London Book Fair 2025, the Alternative Book Fair is a week of publishing and author events to bring the world of publishing and literature to a wider audience, especially aspiring authors, emerging writers and avid readers. With author panels featuring Granta's Best of Young British Novelists Camilla Grudova, Santanu Bhattacharya, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, Catherine Mayer and many more. All events are free, including access to the Indie Press Fair, all day, Saturday 8th.
Health and Nature Walk Friday 7 March 10-11am (first Friday of the month) Islington Ecology Centre, Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Pk, N5 1PH Have you tried the monthly Health & Nature walk in Gillespie Park? If not, why not go along (it's always the first Friday of the month). The walk is guided by Elena from the Islington Ecology Centre in Gillespie Park, run by Islington Council. Elena has a wealth of knowledge about nature and the session always finishes with tea and biscuits. All welcome. Dementia-friendly. Drop-in, no need to book.
International Women’s Day Health Event Saturday 8 March, 12 – 6 pm 225-229 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, N4 2DA For diverse communities, with specialists including a Somali doctor, Wellbeing & Holistic practitioners, who will conduct presentations, Q&A and panel discussion about lived experiences. Complimentary meal, snacks and fruits. Almeida Community Audition Workshops Saturday 8 March & Sunday 9 March Almeida Theatre, Almeida Street, London N1 1TA Would you like to meet new people and challenge yourself to try something different? The Almeida Theatre are looking for people who live, work or study in Islington to be part of a fun rehearsal process, working with a professional team to make and perform in a new play that will be performed at the Almeida in August 2025. LGBT+ Rainbow Weekly Coffee and Chat for health Starting Tuesdays 11th March, 11am - 1pm The Rainbow Room, London Met University, Rainbow Room, London Met University Campus,166-220 Holloway Rd, London N7 8DB Rainbow Communities are keen to reach out to a diverse range of Islington residents to join this new Club. They are inviting residents to get involved in planning what activities they would like as part of this morning session. For further information about this event and other services for older LGBT + persons including Memory Café and Befriending service, please see: www.rainbowcommunities.org.uk Healthy Generations Art Appreciation (on Zoom) Tuesdays weekly 9.30-10.30am Art Appreciation is an online Get Together which is now run by Healthy Generations. Run by knowledgeable volunteer, Manmeet, they have sessions every Tuesday, and the following special editions on 11th and 18th March with speakers from The Guildhall and The Wallace Collection. Whittington Health Expert Patients Programme Starting Monday 10th March, 10am-12.30pm (Mondays for 6 weeks) A 6-week programme for people living with long term health conditions. Confidently manage your health and feel more in control in just 6 weeks. For more information Tel:0207 527 1189/1558/1707 or e-mail: whh-tr.Self-Management@nhs.net Busting the Myths of Drug & Alcohol Dependency Wednesday 12 March 9.15am-1pm Jean Stokes Community Centre, Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Drive, N1 0DX Please join Rehabit and friends for a welcoming and informative event. This will be a great opportunity for friends, family, partners and community of those struggling to understand more about substance abuse and addiction. • Why do people become addicted in the first place? • What can loved ones do to help? • What support is out there? Dependency on alcohol or drugs is a desperate way to exist and Rehabit helps those in the community to find a way out. Come and hear from those who’ve experienced it and come out the other side. New (ESOL) English as a Second Language Course Mondays starting 17th March Manor Gardens Welfare Trust, 9 Manor Gdns, N7 6LA Class will begin on Monday, March 17th. Each class will have a maximum of 12 people, so booking is required. Health and History Walks, Islington Guided Walks Friday 28 March 11am Highbury Fields, Highbury Crescent, N5 1AR These are gentle paced walks through green spaces, with expert local history guides to give you fascinating facts about Islington’s past. For more information about each walk including meeting points Friday Evening Events at Stuart Low Trust Fridays 6.30-8.45pm (No booking necessary!) Jean Stokes Community Centre, just off Caledonian Road, N1 0DX 7th March - Quiz Night, 21st March - An Evening of Music with Anna Scott Carib Eats Warm Welcome & other events Black Cultural Centre,16 Hornsey Rd, London N7 7BP Drop-in to Carib Eats Warm Welcome—a space where warmth, nourishment, and connection come together, running on select evenings and weekends. There are lots of other activities and events on offer at the centre including Women of Colour Circle, AI & Tech for Entrepreneurs and a weekly Intergenerational Theatre Group. Why not drop in and find out what's going on! Healthy Generations Menopause Café Tuesdays 6.30-7.30pm Hocking Hall, Whittington Park Community Centre, Yerbury Road, N19 4RS The Menopause Café is back. Whether you’re in peri or full menopause or aren’t there yet but want to learn more, this is for you. It’s a place to chat, learn and share, lead by Val who will share up to date peri- and menopause information. Always free with optional £3 donation. Shared Lives offers a modern and flexible approach for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health diagnoses in Islington to receive support and care within their local community. Residents are paired with Shared Lives carers, who are everyday people opening their homes to provide support and care. Want to find out more? Please visit the website to find out how to access this service or how to become a Shared lives carer. 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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