Projects we support
Islington Giving aims to tackle poverty and create real opportunity in Islington. To do this we work with existing local groups to effect real change for the community.
We know Islington and know what works to deliver real change and we are proud that since our launch in September 2010 and thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses we have been able to support over 30 organisations.
Tackling Poverty
A community based volunteering programme on the New River Green estate in Canonbury where people volunteer to give and receive help with their neighbours.
An innovative estate based door knocking programme which helps local people find employment, help with physical and mental health problems and reduce financial hardship.
Read about a volunteer’s experience with Help on Your Doorstep here
Read an interview with local resident Nick Ruck about how Help on Your Doorstep helped him
Two parent mentoring projects where local parents are trained to become coaches and mentors to other parents, helping them to develop their confidence and skills and move further towards employment.
Read more about the mentoring project here
Confronting Isolation
Giving Time, Giving Help encourages more people to volunteer to run activities with and for older people. Activities for older people are taken out and about into the community in pubs and cafes as well as an intergenerational Wii tournament hosted at the Emirates stadium.
Angel Canal Boat run trips on the Regent’s Canal to find out about the local history and wildlife, take part in cooking and arts activities and help in operating the boat. Angel Community Canal Boat are working with local groups to make sure that some of our most isolated residents get the chance to take advantage of this opportunity.
Scenes from Life is an evening arts and social activity group for adults with, or closely affected by, HIV, many of whom are refugees who have suffered trauma. The Scenes from Life project gives adult members the opportunity to explore emotions and fears in a new way, apart from typical counseling methods – through art, poetry and digital projects.
Centre 404′s window box scheme sends volunteers on home visits to help older people and vulnerable people who don’t get out of the house often to plant window boxes, have a cup of tea and a chat.
Read more about the project here
Claremont provides multi-disciplinary services and activities for Islington residents, working primarily with older residents and those who are isolated and lonely. Funding from Islington Giving is supporting a highly innovative ‘social prescribing’ project – working with GPs and nurses in the borough to provide a ‘social prescription’ for activities and services available at Claremont Project.
Culpeper Community Garden is a beautiful public open space in the heart of Islington which serves both as a city park and as an environmental community project. Managed by and for local people, it is a unique project where people from all walks of life come together to appreciate and enhance their environment. Funding from Islington Giving has enabled Culpeper to open up ‘The Thursday Club’ – a programme of activities for isolated and vulnerable residents.
Family Action Islington will use their funding from Islington Giving to run a stay and play on weekends, and during the holidays, for parents with mental health and complex issues to spend time with their older children whilst younger children stay in a creche.
The Finsbury & Clerkenwell Volunteers help isolated older people in South Islington. The Volunteers do befriending visits, run a twice-weekly lunch club, telephone counselling, assisted shopping, outings and help with practical tasks. With Islington Giving funding they have extended their services to include weekend telephone calls and more weekend day outings.
King Henry’s Walk Garden is an award-winning new green space in the Mildmay ward of Islington, created by the local community, for the local community. Islington Giving funding towards a programme of weekend events helps to combat isolation of older people in the community by giving them access to the garden on a regular basis.
Hillside Clubhouse is a resource for people with mental health problems that makes social inclusion and participation in everyday life a reality. Funding from Islington Giving has enabled Hillside Clubhouse to provide an outreach service, so that those most isolated are offered help.
Holloway Neighbourhood Group’s lively group of older people, the Super Seniors, will be working with Help on your Doorstep to increase their members, in particular focusing on getting more older men involved. There will be workshops on IT, including Twitter and Digital Photography, as well as Saturday Tea Dances.
Islington Mind’s Freedom Club project was developed by the people who use the centre as they wanted a safe place they could go to to relax and socialise. The user run Freedom Club holds regular gardening and bakery groups and provides training workshops for people seeking mental health advice and support.
Islington Music Forum provides music services in hospitals and the community for people affected by severe and enduring mental health problems. The group will be holding 10 ‘pop up’ concerts during evenings and weekends for isolated residents.
The Friendship Phone Network recruits volunteers who go into older people’s homes to provide computer training. They set them up with a computer and give them one to one support to get going.
North London Cares is a community network matching north Londoners to volunteering opportunities to support our neighbours in need of a little extra help, time or companionship. With support from Islington Giving funding North London Cares are running book, film, dinner, and sports club activities for isolated older residents.
St Luke’s Community History Group are offering free trips to local exhibitions, museums, and sites of historical interest for isolated older residents.
The Stuart Low Trust (SLT) run a variety of activities to help improve people’s wellbeing, especially those experiencing social isolation or mental distress. Funding from Islington Giving is supporting a weekend programme of activities, including a Sunday Philosophy Forum, and a Sound Art project for isolated residents experience mental health problems.
The Manna is St Stephen’s project to improve the quality of life of vulnerable people in our area. The Manna provides a strong community to belong to, and offers practical, emotional and spiritual support. Islington Giving funding is supporting a range of small group activities for isolated older residents and for people experiencing mental ill health.
Counselling for older women on low incomes, which aims to improve the mental health of women over 50 who may not otherwise seek help.
A psychotherapy group for women from deprived backgrounds who would not ordinarily access therapy.
Investing in Young People
The B project is a creative programme for girls to design and create a programme of activities for themselves and their peers including live performances and exhibitions.
A programme of mentoring specifically aimed at primary school aged girls to provide an early and transforming intervention in the lives of vulnerable children.
A programme of enterprise education in schools, supporting business volunteers to get involved with schools and build aspirations and enterprise skills of young people.
Support to match more Islington young people with long term volunteer mentors to build children’s self esteem, confidence and resilience by giving them a positive experience of friendship.
A new ‘Young Generators’ programme getting young people involved in growing produce, enterprise , team work and leadership skills. Global Generation have a skip and hoop garden on the King’s Cross redevelopment site and work with local businesses to support young people to grow in every way.
‘Speakeasy’ – a programme of writing and performing workshops and club night events with a focus on developing scripts with professional playwrights around identity and aspirations.
A programme, managed by Changemakers, of youth led music/DJ club Friday nights, to showcase local talent and engage aspiring DJ’s and event developers.
The Saturday Night Project is a series of events at the Sobell Centre including ice skating, roller disco, football, basketball and table tennis to give young people somewhere to go on at the weekends that is affordable.
A project supporting those affected by serious substance misuse, providing intensive help for young people and their families.
Much has been achieved, but there is still much to do. Support us by giving money and time and help us to continue to support these groups and others like them.
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