How are you? Already we're a month beyond the shortest day and despite the snow there's already signs that spring might be round the corner! To help us all on our way to brighter times, we'd like to share the latest information, activities and workshops taking place in the next couple of weeks.
Join the Carers Pathway Forum
The next Carers Pathway Forum is taking place on Thursday 18th February 2-3pm. It's being chaired by Ismail Bahriyeli, Head of Carers & Community and it's a great forum to raise any ideas or issues to do with being a Carer in Islington, which we can then share with the council.
We've introduced a calendar for our Get Togethers to make it easier for you to see what's on and when. There's lots of fun and informative online Get Togethers, as well as the opportunity for discussion with peers in our Let's Talk and Carers Support Groups.
Let us know your favourite groups
Do you have any favourite activities run by other organisations that you'd like to share with others? If so, please email Carmen Alcovedes, Activities Co-ordinator. We're looking to add selected activities to the calendar from trusted partners.
Help from our lovely Digital Volunteers
Do you need any help trying out an online activity using Zoom? If so, call our helpline on 020 7281 6018 and they can book you some one to one support from one of our Digital Volunteers. They can also help with helping you to get started with online shopping, or things like how to add family members as contacts to your phone.
Islington Carers Hub is partnering with Mobilise online to bring you their "Virtual Cuppas"! A Cuppa is a free 45 min video call where you can connect with around 12 other people who are also looking after a loved one.
Share a laugh or some tears, you'll find a very understanding group. The Cuppas are created by carers, for carers.
This February, we all need some uplifting, fun, and free online events to distract us and entertain us. Islington Life has a great feature on LGBT+ History Month 2021 including details of the "Body, Mind & Spirit" programme of events organised by Forum+. Take the opportunity to celebrate and explore local LGBT+ heritage through digital trails, online seminars, book groups, film clubs, poetry events, history talks and more!
1) Start a conversation to help you and your loved ones
Thursday 11th February, 10am - 11.15am
Have you ever wondered how to start a conversation about how you and your loved ones might want to be cared for - not just in the here and now but also in the future?
Conversations like these can make all the difference in the event of an emergency, and avoid rushed, stressful decisions for friends and family members.
Our quarterly Death Cafes provide a forum to meet with others and and have an open conversation about dying and bereavement, over a cuppa, online from home.
For more information about Future Matters "Death Cafes" and to book click below. The deadline for booking is today, Wednesday 5pm!
2) Small changes that can make a big difference to how we're feeling
For many of us, this last year has been one of the most challenging years of our lives. We are living through huge uncertainty, with lockdowns and restrictions often keeping us away from the people we love. It has never been more important for us to take care of our mental health and to deal with and adapt to these challenges.
The good news is that there's lots we can all do to help how we're feeling and coping. You might want to take a look at some ideas for small changes and things that we can do that can make a big difference to how we feel. There's also resources including NHS approved apps that you can use on your phone and a video, all shared by Thrive LDN. Click below to find out more.
Our free Carers First Aid Workshops, run by the British Red Cross are always very popular. Help yourself, those that you care for and others by learning some First Aid. This will give you the skills and confidence to cope in a crisis. Just learning a few simple, but highly-effective First Aid skills could make all the difference to someone who is ill or injured.
Are you 70 or over and not yet had the Covid-19 vaccine? If you are over 70 and don't yet have an appointment, you are now being asked to contact the NHS to book an appointment online (click on the button below) or by calling 119 free of charge.
If you are caring for someone who is vulnerable and accompanying them for their vaccination, you might be able to get the vaccination at the same time. You should speak to the front desk when you attend.
If you have any questions about the vaccine, there is useful information available in this factsheet. There is also an excellent "guide for older adults" leaflet which is available on the North Central London NHS website in English and different languages.
The Covid-19 vaccines are effective, have been tested and are safe. Watch leading medical expert Professor Jonathan Van-Tam explain more about vaccines in this short video.
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.....
