Welcome to your February Newsletter Hoping that the start of the year has been a good one for you. This time of year can be challenging with darker, colder days, but we have some great ways to boost your mood!
'Time to Talk' & newly launched Let's Talk Carers group It's national 'Time to Talk' Day tomorrow! We were delighted to see so many carers at the launch of our new monthly Let's Talk Carers group last week. There was lots of talking - about how people were feeling and ideas and thoughts for future sessions. Find out more about the group in this Let's Talk Carers interview with Torps from ICH, featured last month in IslingtonLife. To book for this month's session, click here (there's also further info below).
Taking Time for You! Being a carer can be an all-consuming role, but it's important to remember you in your busy life. This 'Just a Carer' article from partner Mobilise details useful ways to still feel like yourself and take care of your own wellbeing as you also look after others. OUR GET TOGETHERS & SUPPORT GROUP Let's Talk Carers: Wednesday 15 February, 2-3.30pm Upper Holloway Baptist Church, N7 & on Zoom At our February Let's Talk Carers we'll be discussing how to best share the needs of the person that you're caring for with social care professionals. It should help boost your confidence when talking about what you think would help. Find out about your rights and the law that underpins them.
There will also be plenty of time for a cuppa and to chat to other carers. We look forward to meeting you! See a recap and photos from the January session here. Booking is essential (as always!) - to do so, click below to book to attend the February session in-person or on Zoom. Carers Strategy Forum, Thursday 9 Feb, 2-3pm Feburary's session - Zoom only You are warmly invited to attend to share your thoughts and views about how you think Islington carers can best be supported in this final Carers Strategy Forum. The discussion within these sessions will help inform the main priorities for the borough - a plan will be launched in June 2023. In the past Carers Strategy Forum sessions, we have discussed financial support, digital inclusion and ways to get a break. It was agreed with members that the topic for February's meeting would be around ‘employment and feeling respected’. Carers Trip: Thursday 23 February, 1.30-3pm Queer Britain Museum,2 Granary Square, N1C 4BH To mark LGBT+ History Month in February 2023, we’ve organised a free 40-minute guided tour of the Queer Britain Museum in Granary Square for Islington unpaid carers. We’ll go to a local cafe afterwards so bring some cash for a coffee! The Queer Britain museum opened in May 2022. It’s first exhibition provides “a riot of voices, objects and images from the worlds of activism, art, culture and social history covering over 100 years of queer life". There's limited places and booking is essential. Dance Fitness - Tuesdays (weekly) 3 - 4pm Jean Stokes Community Hall, Carnoustie Drive, N1 Healthy Generations and Age UK Islington are partnering to bring a Dance Fitness class to this recently refurbished community centre in Islington. This Dance Fitness class with a mix of latin, disco and pop music, will include strength, balance and functional exercises. Take part seated or standing. British Red Cross, First Aid Online Training Thurs 16 Feb,11am-12.30pm, Wed 22 Feb, 2-3.30pm Are you interested in learning essential, life-saving first aid skills to help in an emergency? If so, our first aid workshop might be for you. These are interactive workshops, run by experienced British Red Cross educators, that build your confidence to help someone in a first aid emergency, using everyday objects around you. PARTNER EVENTS & SERVICES Future Matters February Courses Feb 7, 2pm (on Zoom), Feb 24, 11am (in-person, N1) Lasting Power of Attorney is just as important as having a will when it comes to planning for the future. Join us on Tues 7 Feb for a free online Future Matters presentation to learn how to put an LPA in place and how to get free follow-up support from our team.
You might also like to come along to the Almeida Cafe N1 on Fri 24 Feb for a relaxed, open & non-judgmental discussion about all things to do with 'end of life'. A lively conversation is always guaranteed! Click the button below to go to the Future Matters page which includes links to the Eventbrite booking pages. Expert Patient Programme February Courses In-Person & Zoom Expert Patient Programme run by NHS Whittington Health is free for adults and carers with any long-term health condition e.g. COPD, chronic pain, fatigue, long COVID, fibromyalgia, multiple conditions, mild-moderate mental health problems - who live, or have a GP, in Islington. Group Sessions are held over 6 weeks, 2½ hours per week. Delivered by trained tutors who have also experience long-term conditions. Sit, Stand, Walk, Talk - Weekly Thai Chi Classes Studio in Finsbury Park and online via Zoom Do you have a long-term health condition or feel you could do with a boost? ‘Sit, Stand, Walk, Talk - Tai Chi for Wellbeing’ programme has been designed for older Islington residents. Weekly group classes teach gentle therapeutic movement, breathing exercises and meditation based on the traditional Chinese practices of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. The classes can be done standing or seated. Art School with Arts 4 Dementia: starts Sat Feb 25, 2pm Central Saint Martins, Kings Cross, N1C An amazing opportunity to join a series of supportive sessions hosted by one of the leading Art schools in the country! It's free for individuals with early-stage dementia, mild cognitive impairment and their ccompanions. No experience necessary and materials will be provided. Go along to be creative, form new skills and make new connections. Places limited & booking is essential! Camden & Islington LGBT History Month forum+ is very proud to present a fantastic programme of activities and events celebrating Camden & Islington LGBT History Month. They are inviting all the community to join the festivities and explore local LGBT history through exhibitions, guided walks, film screenings, spoken word, talks and more! More useful services & guidance More Life Weight Management Service If you've found that you've gained some kilos that you'd like some support to lose, take a look at the More Life weight management service that's running in Islington. Spotting scams & fraudsters To help spot potential scams and fraudsters to minimise the risk of becoming a victim, there's some useful guidance from TV Licensing here. Islington Working For information about local job opportunities, help to find the best role for you and making applications including one-to-one employment coaching, contact iWork on iwork@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 2651 Covid & Flu Vaccines Anyone yet to get their Covid booster, is being urged to do so by 12 February. Find out where you can get yours here. Contacting Islington Carers Hub If you are in need of financial or practical guidance related to your wellbeing or for the person you care for, or simply need a listening ear, don't forget that you can call the Islington Carers Hub Helpline on 020 7281 3319 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) or email info@islingtoncarershub.org.
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