Islington Mayor helps Age UK Islington to deliver hampers

Islington Mayor, Councillor Janet Burgess accompanied Age UK Islington staff to deliver hampers to local Islington residents in need of some festive cheer, earlier this week. The ages of the Age UK Islington clients spanned more than 50 years, with a delivery to one client who is 98 years old.

Teresa who is 80 years sent a message of thanks, saying, "I wanted to thank you for a hamper! It has been an awful year. I had a fall, broken some bones and have lost loved ones. It was the best thing that happened to me this year - Thank you!"

So many of us in more normal times would be attending regular exercise classes, playing bingo, making music, or simply meeting up for tea. Age UK Islington has been hearing from many Islington residents who are isolated, and missing friends and family, but worried about going out.

As a step towards keeping creative and helping to bring people together at this time, AgeUK Islington has developed a series of online events, hosted with its Islington partners, including organisations Claremont Project and North London Cares.  This month, we’ve been able to bring these together in a fabulous Festive Calendar of Get Togethers including get togethers from Claremont and North London Cares on Christmas Day and New Years Eve.

“We’re hoping that our Festive Calendar will inspire more people to come together and try out a new way of meeting up with others”, says Katie Skea, Communications Manager.

Over the past few months, lots of people have tried joining the events. This has often been with a bit of tuition from family and friends, or Age UK Islington’s Digital Volunteers.  It’s meant that clients have been able to join others via phones and tablets. They’ve come together to write stories, cook, appreciate music, reminisce or to just simply chat.

At this time, Age UK Islington will be continuing it’s work to bring people together via activities taking place by phone and online, working together with Islington partners from all corners of the borough. Our helpline is available for most of the festive period, linking in with partners’ services on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Cllr Janet Burgess, Islington Mayor says, “It’s so important to reach out to neighbours at this time, who we know will be on their own over Christmas. A phone call or an offer to pick something up from the shops can make such a difference to someone’s day. It’s also really important that people know that there are services available in the borough, such as Age UK Islington, who can connect people into any help that they need with day to day concerns.”

Age UK Islington’s Helpline is 020 7281 6018.