Finding dementia support and services in Islington

As part of Alzheimer's Awareness Month, Islington Council and Islington Carers Hub, a service run by Age UK Islington, hosted a pop-up 'Dementia Information Event' at Arsenal Community hub at the end of September.

Islington residents, carers and professionals came along to learn more about the condition and to find out about the local support available for those who are living with or caring for someone with dementia.

Information stalls were provided by Alzheimer's Society, Islington Council - Dementia, Islington Council - Assistive Technology, Islington Council - Parks & Leisure, Arts for Dementia, Park Theatre/Kick Off with a Verse, Islington Memory Service, Shared Lives, Age UK Islington and Islington Carers Hub.

A dementia-friendly reminiscence session hosted by Arsenal in the Community ran alongside the event.

Cllr Janet Burgess provided an opening welcome to the event on the day and following the event said, "It was great to see so many people enjoying this event. The information provided by services and activity providers was very helpful and I really liked seeing so many people talking to others. Peer support is so important for people living with dementia and their carers.".

Sophia Stevens, Commissioning Manager, Age-Well Islington from Islington Council, said that, "Islington recognises the challenges that residents with dementia and their carers face. Our priority is to improve the experience of those affected by the condition. That includes making it easy to access information and advice.

Thank you to the Islington Carer’s Hub for putting on such a great event and also the stallholders representing the spectrum of dementia support in Islington. We heard from carers how much they got out of it – finding out about services, activities and opportunities.

It was great to see so many professionals exchanging information and ideas, creating a stronger network of support. Thanks also to Arsenal for hosting the event at their Hub and facilitating the popular reminscence session!"

If you are a carer for someone with dementia or trying to find out more about the condition or to get a diagnosis, either for yourself or someone you look after, you might find the following information and support services helpful.

Help getting a dementia diagnosis and support

The first step would be to contact your GP if you are worried. They have an important role in supporting people with dementia and their carers. They can offer treatments, referrals, advice and information to help the person to manage their condition and live well with dementia.

Islington Memory Service: The Islington Memory & Dementia Navigator Service is a specialist service for Islington residents living with dementia and their carers.

Age UK Islington service: gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk or call 020 7281 6018 (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm). For Islington residents (18yrs+) or with an Islington GP. Find out about how they can support with dementia.

Support for family members and friends looking after someone with dementia

Islington Carers Hub Service: info@islingtoncarershub.org or call 020 7281 3319 (Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm). For unpaid carers (18yrs+) living, working or caring for an adult in Islington. 

Dementia-friendly activities

There are dementia-friendly activities that take place in Islington at different community venues including the Alzheimer's Society Singing for the Brain and Cecilia's Cafe activities, also at places like the Islington Ecology Centre, the British Museum. Some are for both people living with dementia and their carers. There are a number taking place in October and some that started in September that you can still attend.

Further information

Islington Council is organising regular Islington Dementia Friends sessions at Islington Libraries.  The next one is Thursday 24 October, 10.30am at North Library, Manor Gardens N7.

You might find the NHS Dementia Guide helpful.

The Alzheimer's Society is a rich source of information including a Symptoms Checker and a guide to 'The benefits of getting a dementia diagnosis'

Age UK has guides about living with dementia and support.