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Ukraine: School plants

Help celebrate Windrush Day in Islington on 22 June

Islington celebrates Windrush Day on Wednesday, 22 June with a wealth of events including music, performance, stories, Caribbean refreshments and chances to share memories and experiences.

Windrush Day this year marks the 74th anniversary of the Windrush migration. It honours the exceptional contribution of the Windrush generation, their families and descendants, and remembers the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury, near London, on 22 June 1948.

On Wednesday, 22 June the Windrush Day flag – reading ‘Windrush generations – we are standing on their shoulders’ – will be raised above Islington Town Hall.

Television presenter, Jay Blades MBE, will join local MP Emily Thornberry and other community leaders for an event at Brickworks Community Centre at 12-2pm on Wednesday, 22 June. Residents are encouraged to book a free ticket for an afternoon of speeches, Caribbean food, music, performances and stories from Islington elders who arrived in the UK during the Windrush Era.

Age UK Islington are also organising a celebration on Windrush Day in Caledonian Park. At 11am, they will host a special Windrush edition of their weekly reminiscence sessions at Cally Clock Tower Centre, to which residents can bring photos and memorabilia to share memories and experiences with other attendees. At 12-2pm, the event will move outside for Caribbean refreshments (with food and soft drinks provided). To book for these events, residents can contact Age UK Islington on 020 7281 6018 or gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk

The event in Caledonian Park is part of a project funded with a grant of almost £15,000, following a successful bid by Islington Council to the Government’s 2022 Windrush Day Grant Scheme.

Islington Libraries have made titles from Caribbean book list ‘The 100 Caribbean books that made us’ available to loan. The list was put together by The Bocas Lit Fest, a literary arts development organisation based in Trinidad and Tobago. Libraries will also host reading sessions for under-fives to explore Windrush story Coming to England by Floella Benjamin and there will be a small display at Central Library celebrating acclaimed Islington writer Andrea Levy, who was born in London to Jamaican parents.

By |2022-06-27T11:14:21+00:0027/06/2022|Latest News TEMP|0 Comments

Help celebrate

Help celebrate Windrush Day in Islington on 22 June

Islington celebrates Windrush Day on Wednesday, 22 June with a wealth of events including music, performance, stories, Caribbean refreshments and chances to share memories and experiences.

Windrush Day this year marks the 74th anniversary of the Windrush migration. It honours the exceptional contribution of the Windrush generation, their families and descendants, and remembers the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury, near London, on 22 June 1948.

On Wednesday, 22 June the Windrush Day flag – reading ‘Windrush generations – we are standing on their shoulders’ – will be raised above Islington Town Hall.

Television presenter, Jay Blades MBE, will join local MP Emily Thornberry and other community leaders for an event at Brickworks Community Centre at 12-2pm on Wednesday, 22 June. Residents are encouraged to book a free ticket for an afternoon of speeches, Caribbean food, music, performances and stories from Islington elders who arrived in the UK during the Windrush Era.

Age UK Islington are also organising a celebration on Windrush Day in Caledonian Park. At 11am, they will host a special Windrush edition of their weekly reminiscence sessions at Cally Clock Tower Centre, to which residents can bring photos and memorabilia to share memories and experiences with other attendees. At 12-2pm, the event will move outside for Caribbean refreshments (with food and soft drinks provided). To book for these events, residents can contact Age UK Islington on 020 7281 6018 or gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk

The event in Caledonian Park is part of a project funded with a grant of almost £15,000, following a successful bid by Islington Council to the Government’s 2022 Windrush Day Grant Scheme.

Islington Libraries have made titles from Caribbean book list ‘The 100 Caribbean books that made us’ available to loan. The list was put together by The Bocas Lit Fest, a literary arts development organisation based in Trinidad and Tobago. Libraries will also host reading sessions for under-fives to explore Windrush story Coming to England by Floella Benjamin and there will be a small display at Central Library celebrating acclaimed Islington writer Andrea Levy, who was born in London to Jamaican parents.

By |2022-06-27T11:00:45+00:0027/06/2022|Latest News TEMP|0 Comments

Council marks Clean Air Day

Council marks Clean Air Day with measures to improve air quality for school children

Islington Council is today celebrating Clean Air Day with a package of important new measures to clean up Islington’s air and make school journeys greener, healthier and safer.

To mark Clean Air Day, and as part of the Council’s work to build an even more environmentally friendly borough, five more School Street schemes are now set to be made permanent.

Islington’s pioneering School Streets are helping to improve air quality and make the school gate safer and healthier for children, carers and school staff. By preventing most motor vehicle traffic from travelling down streets around schools at drop-off and pick-up times, School Streets improve air quality and road safety, making Islington a better place for young people to grow up and get around.

Islington currently has 35 School Streets, covering 36 schools – including the five schemes that were initially introduced as trials in January 2021 and are now being made permanent following positive feedback and monitoring data.

To ensure that children at schools on main roads are also able to enjoy a cleaner, greener, healthier school gate, the council is today also able to confirm the completion of works to improve safety and the environment outside Ambler Primary School and Canonbury Primary School.

As the main roads outside both schools are key to the local transport system, they cannot be temporarily closed off to traffic in the way that School Streets can – but a series of new measures will help to reduce air pollution and screen children at the school gate from traffic. These include pavement widening on Blackstock Road and Canonbury Road, double yellow lines to prevent parking outside both schools, new planting, and footway repaving outside Canonbury Primary School.

The council is also working with Global Action Plan and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on a pioneering project that is helping to educate health professionals at 15 Islington surgeries about the health risks associated with air pollution.

Through the scheme – known as the Islington Primary Care for Clean Air Project – healthcare professionals are learning about how they can encourage patients to adopt habits that reduce their exposure and contribution to air pollution.

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said: “I’m so pleased to celebrate Clean Air Day in Islington with this ambitious package of new measures – cutting air pollution at the school gate, and working with healthcare professionals to tackle the causes of air pollution that blights so many lives.

“Doing nothing is not an option – air pollution stunts children’s lungs and causes thousands of excess deaths in London every year. By rolling out School Streets across the borough and introducing similar measures for schools on main roads, we can bring cleaner air to the school gate and secure a healthier future for local schoolchildren.

“We all have a part to play, and this Clean Air Day we’re inviting people across the borough to continue to do their bit to help reduce air pollution and tackle the climate emergency – whether that’s taking more trips by foot or bike, recycling and reusing more, or turning off appliances when not in use.”

Larissa Lockwood, Director of Clean Air at Global Action Plan, says: “We’re thrilled to be working collaboratively with Islington Council and the borough’s healthcare professionals to empower them to confidently share information on air pollution with their patients. As some of the most trusted messengers in society, health professionals, particularly GPs, play a crucial role in protecting people’s health – especially that of some of the most vulnerable people who come through the door of the health service every day.”

By |2022-06-27T10:59:33+00:0027/06/2022|Latest News TEMP|0 Comments

Islington Council extends

Islington Council extends bursary scheme to help hundreds more parents back into work or training

Up to 300 parents and carers of children are set to benefit from an expanded bursary scheme designed by Islington Council to help them back into work or training, as part of its efforts to create a more equal and accessible local economy that works for everyone.

This financial year the council has quadrupled the bursary funding to £160,000 and revised the eligibility criteria, so even more parents and carers of young people can pay for childcare for up to eight weeks when they start work, a work placement or short-term training.

Childcare fees can top £1,000 per month and for many parents and carers of children, this is a significant barrier to them returning to work, starting education or training, or finding a job for the first time after having children.

There are currently more than 4,000 parents in Islington who are out of work and claiming benefits. The majority are single parents, and a considerable number are claiming Income Support, which requires them to look for work when their youngest child turns five.

Cllr Santiago Bell-Bradford, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs, said: “Helping parents and carers with those first steps, so they can afford to access training and employment, is a vital part of giving them the power to pull themselves and their families out of poverty.

“Currently, around two-thirds of the children growing up in poverty in Islington live in households where no-one is employed – so it’s essential we find ways to tackle the barriers to work and training.

“In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, childcare costs make it really difficult for many people to make ends meet while working or training, particularly those who are likely to take up entry-level jobs or zero-hours contracts. Our Enhanced Childcare Bursary Scheme provides genuine help for hundreds of households, and will make Islington a more equal place.”

More people than ever before will also be eligible to apply for a bursary under the new scheme, including parents in low-paid roles who want to undertake training to boost their chances of getting better-paid jobs, and those wanting to move from part-time to full-time work. It will also be available to entrepreneur parents or carers who are establishing their business.

The scheme is part of the council’s ongoing efforts to help people into training and rewarding employment. Since 2018, it has helped more than 1,300 parents with children aged under 18 into paid work.

By |2022-06-27T10:58:32+00:0027/06/2022|Latest News TEMP|0 Comments

Thousands of local firms

Thousands of local firms urged to apply now for Islington Council Covid-19 support scheme that could cancel out Business Rates bills

Up to 4,000 small and medium-sized businesses in Islington could effectively have their Business Rates bills cancelled out this year, thanks to a £17million council scheme designed to help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of its ongoing support for the local economy and businesses affected by the pandemic, Islington Council is offering eligible Business Rates payers up to £10,000 per premises, for up to three premises.

The Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund money is only available to businesses that have not previously received Retail Relief payments.

The £17million scheme is open for applications now, with awards made on a first-come, first-served basis. The scheme will run until all the money is awarded or until July 15, whichever comes first. The awards will be paid to successful applicants by the end of the September.

Cllr Santiago Bell-Bradford, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs, said: “More than two years into the pandemic, we remain absolutely committed to helping local businesses, protecting jobs and our local economy in every way we can.

“I’m very pleased that we are able to offer these grants to help small and medium-sized local businesses who have so far not been eligible for support under previous schemes.

“The funding pot means as many as 4,000 of these businesses in the borough could wipe out their Business Rates bill for the entire 2022/23 financial year. It will also significantly reduce the Business Rates bills for many others.

“So if you are an arts organisation, a head office, depot, creative agency or a solicitor, you might be eligible and should make an application as soon as possible, as the funding is limited. We don’t want you to miss out.”

Central Government has provided the grant funding in recognition of the impact of the pandemic on businesses which have been unable to claim relief under previous support schemes. Islington Council has designed and is administering the scheme.

By |2022-06-27T10:57:28+00:0027/06/2022|Latest News TEMP|0 Comments

Community Covid Conversation

Community Covid Conversation 5 January 2021
Questions and Answers
Vaccinations

Q: What was the rate of take up for the vax at Muriel Street? Do you have separate figures for staff and residents?
A: We are still very early on with the roll-out, and the data is not available yet. The main focus with the care homes is to offer vaccination to the residents. Another care home has now been vaccinated, and by Tuesday we hope at least a further one. Anecdotal feedback is that take up among residents has been very high.
Q: We have community members talking about people having adverse reactions to the vaccination – is there any detail on this or ways to answer? Some members of the community are concerned about side effects of Vaccinations.
A: There are some side effects which some people experience – these include a sore arm where the needle went in, feeling tired, a headache, feeling achy, or feeling sick. These are usually mild. Thousands of people have been given a COVID-19 vaccine and reports of serious side effects, such as allergic reactions, have been very rare. No long-term complications have been reported.
Q: How are people being contacting to be called for vaccinations – letter, phone?
A: At this stage hospitals are contacting their patients and staff and also running the care home vaccinations. GPs are contacting patients in the top priority groups as vaccines become available to the hub surgeries. They decide on the best means of contact.
Q: Will care workers get priority for vaccinations? We have five staff who deliver hot meals to vulnerable older people every day. The staff also bring older people to get their vaccines.
A: The priority list is determined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), an independent expert body. The current priorities are here: Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation: advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Q: Will there be a choice on which vaccine to take?
A: The JCVI advice seems to indicate that there will not be.
Q: I was sent a probable scam Whtspp message today branded NHS but asking for bank details to book a test. Do you have messaging you can share so people know they will not be asked to pay for a vaccine and to be wary of scams
A: The NHS will never ask for your bank details, and everyone should always be cautious about requests asking for details such as bank details, passwords, etc. We can include messaging about this on vaccinations.
Q: Question from an elderly client: If you had the flu vaccine can you also get the COVID one too?
A: Yes. Lots of people who have had the flu vaccination a little earlier last year, have now had a COVID vaccination, too. There should be a seven day gap between having the flu vaccination and the COVID vaccination.
Q: Are we offering Vaccinations at home to those with mobility issues?
A: Yes. The NHS will be organising to vaccinate people at home who cannot get to vaccination centres.
Q: Is the Council looking for more community spaces for testing or for vaccinations? Can we not use the Community Centres as testing sites. People trust us more.
A: We have a very active programme looking for testing and vaccination sites across the borough and happy to know about more. Of course, we all depend on central government to get us the supplies for both. We will keep at it!
General Covid questions
Q: What is the tracing situation in the borough?
A: The national service tracks all cases, but then passes those it finds difficult to contact to us, and the We Are Islington team contact them. As a result, we have a good contact rate, which is in the range of 90-95%.
Q: How can you ensure that the Parents at primary schools socially distance?
A: We work closely with schools to get messages to parents, and where we are aware of problems do get Covid stewards to attend. Obviously the situation is changing as schools close, worth talking to local councillor about specific problems (places and dates needed) or emailing me (sue.lukes@islington.gov.uk)
Q: Can we make wearing mask mandatory in Islington?
A: Wearing masks indoors in public places, such as supermarkets and on public transport, is mandatory. We always promote face coverings as one part of prevention in our local messages. There are calls to widen the rules to include busy or crowded outdoor areas, among other places. It is important to recognise that maintaining social distance and reducing the amount of mixing/social contact, especially indoors, are the most effective preventive methods; face coverings are a mitigation when these other measures cannot be maintained.
Q. 2 metre rule – clarification on whether this is still the correct and safe distance
A: In summer last year the government issued guidance that two metres was desirable but between one and two metres could be appropriate in some situations. However, there is very strong advice from public health that maintaining two metres distance whenever possible is the safest thing to do. If you cannot maintain two metres, then you should wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, not get closer than one metre to others, and minimise the amount of time you are less than two metres away.
Q: What support for self-isolating, family members, when members have Covid19?
A: This very much depends on individual situations in relation to employment, welfare benefits, what other support is needed etc. Best thing is to encourage people to contact We Are Islington and say what they need.
Q: So does anyone know why the situation is so bad in Islington?
A: Islington has consistently been among the 25% of London boroughs with the lowest level of infections but the London situation is not good, and like at the national level, the situation is worsening, as we deal with the effects of the loosening of restrictions some weeks ago, the failure to close schools early enough (and not effectively enough as well), the failure to provide proper track and tracing systems with decent support for people who need to isolate. Many of our residents are already disadvantaged and the pandemic affects them disproportionally.
Volunteering
Q: Any volunteering opportunities available for testing centres, vaccination centres, lots of 18 pluses have just had their exams cancelled
A: Manor Gardens, Age UK and Help on your Doorstep with the co-ordination by Voluntary Action Islington, are all organising the volunteer stewarding for the clinics, the opportunity is on VAI for people to apply to.
Q: We need more foodbanks
A: We are pretty sure the whole borough is covered by food projects, but do tell us about any gaps. We help them get funding, supply some food, support them in many other ways.
Concerns
We need to be honest about what’s happening in and around the hospitals. Reliable reports tell us that in East London people are dying in ambulances outside hospitals, in some hospitals ventilators and oxygen are having to be rationed.
A: At present none of this is true of local hospitals in north London, but they are under extreme pressure.
Q: Support for parents at home who are struggling to help children with home learning would be helpful. We support single Asian mums and we are worried about how women are dealing with this. I know schools are extremely pressured but if they are able to contact families who are falling behind on home learning that could really help.
A: Good idea: let’s see what we can do!
Q: What is the IT poverty on local parents and pupils?
The council has worked hard with schools to get thousands of laptops and devices to children who did not have them. We are still concerned that people do not have access to wifi and/or data. So keeping an eye on it. Government has various schemes but we don’t know how many families will get access to them.
Q: Plan for summer schools and activities for children and young people later in 2021. We need to ensure that when we come through this that youth and childrens out of school activities are supported/funding – get creative with it
A: Good idea! Let’s work on it.
Communication
Q: I feel that the news and Islington could promote more positive information rather than just the negative information about deaths and cases confirmed. Highlight food backs, volunteers and so on
A: We are working with community leaders to share positive experiences of getting tested or vaccinated. Through Islington Life we have promoted positive stories. In the December edition there were positive articles including a two page article on the wonderful work voluntary organisations have been doing to support residents during the pandemic. Do take a look at:
https://issuu.com/islingtonlifemag/docs/islingtonlife_winter_2020_v3_final_issuu
Q: Could one of the messages for people reluctant about the vaccine be that if they don’t have the jab, they are endangering themselves but also everyone else in their family. ie they are having it for everyone – not blaming but understanding.
A: We are working on tackling vaccine hesitancy and this may be part of it.
Q: Broadcasting and radio stations are very good ideas using different community languages
A: Please give us contacts for this!
General
Q: Is it possible to alternate times and days with weekly meetings, even if just changing one a month or so? I know a number of our staff and residents may struggle with the 5.15pm timing.
A: Notes from each meeting will be circulated and questions submitted in advance. We will review attendance and if necessary, look at offering the session at a different time.

Information to Share
Volunteering
From Marnie Rose
For volunteering opportunities after Easter with The Garden Classroom – working outdoors in natural spaces – please email Rosey Lyall at rosey@thegardenclassroom.org.uk
From Alex Manor Gardens
There are also a number of volunteer befriending schemes across the Borough, we have one at Manor Gardens, and Stuart Low Trust also have a good young people focused project
From Steph
A list of the MA wards with their email addresses are here https://islington.coronacorps.com/wards/
From Missy – Tollington/Hillrise Mutual Aid
Tollington/Hillrise are always looking for more volunteers
Further information Mutual Aid groups can be found at:
https://www.islington.gov.uk/advice/voluntary-and-community-sector/key-information-for-mutual-aid-groups
From Lucy Bingham
Holloway Neighbourhood Group also offer telephone support, and are always looking for more volunteers to make the calls. For more information go to: http://www.hng.org.uk/
Mental Health and Support
From Cllr Phil Graham
If anyone has any more suggestions on ways of helping with Mental health or you have services to offer please email me as Islington mental health champion phil.graham@isilington.gov.uk
From Jamad
For parents with children under 5, Brightstart Islington offers a lot activities please check their website: https://www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/childrens-centres-and-under-5s
From Savita, Help on Your Doorstep
Help on Your Doorstep also have a volunteer phone befriending service to support isolated residents. For more information: https://www.helponyourdoorstep.com/
Funding
Cloudesley’s Small Grants Fund is currently open for applications. Eligible organisations can apply for a grant of up to £10,000 towards a project/work from March 2021 for up to 12-
months. Applicant organisations will need to be able to demonstrate how their project will bring about a significant health impact for its client group which complements statutory provision.

For this funding round, we are prioritising funding for projects/work with people who have been most badly affected by the impacts of Covid-19, including Black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people, people living in poverty, as well as other groups disproportionately affected by coronavirus.

The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 18 January 2021. You can find out more information here.

By |2022-04-20T05:02:33+00:0004/04/2022|Covid|0 Comments

‘Real Lives’

Real Lives is an initiative offering young people a chance to share their experiences of looking for work in Islington through photography!

Are you:

 18-25?

 Currently looking for work (and not in education or training)?

 An Islington resident or Islington care leaver no longer based in the borough?

… if so we’d like to invite you to take part in the ‘Real Lives’ project.
You will be asked to attend 2 workshops and take photographs as a way to share your experi-ences of looking for work in the borough.
We are currently recruiting for workshops taking place in November 2019.
If you’d like to improve employment for young people in the borough and help shape ser-vices, we’d like to hear your views so please get in touch!
Limited spaces available and refreshments will be provided. Participants will be provided with a £40 voucher for taking part.

For more information, or to participate, please contact Roopa Doshi on
Roopa.Doshi@islington.gov.uk / 07813 548968 or Shanti Chingen on
shanti.chingen@islington.gov.uk / 0207 527 5530.

This project is run by Islington Council’s Public Health team in partnership with the Islington Council employment service. No photography experience needed to take part.

By |2022-04-16T11:39:32+00:0004/04/2022|Employment|0 Comments

Job: Apprentice Play Worker

Job Title : Apprentice Play Worker
Salary : Starting at £5.85 an hour depending on age
Hours : 17.5 hours a week/35 hours a week during 9 weeks of play schemes
Annual Leave : 20 days’ pro rata plus public holidays – to be taken when playscheme is not in operation
Line Manager : Children’s Service Manager

 

 Overview

The post holder

Main Duties & Responsibilities

  1. Assisting the Children’s Service Manager and staff team to organise and deliver activities and supervising outings in conjunction with the other workers as laid out in the term-time after school and holiday scheme programmes.
  2. Escorting children safely from their school base to After School Club sessions.
  3. Working with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator to ensure that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are fully integrated into these sessions.
  4. Assisting the Team Active Manager to collect fees for the After School and Holiday Club schemes and to keep an up-to-date register.
  5. Ensuring that the rooms being used, and activities and outings being run, comply with the Hanley Crouch Health and Safety procedures.
  6. Assisting with the planning and delivery of a healthy snack/light meal for the children during the sessions.
  7. Establishing and maintaining positive links with the families/carers of the users and encouraging their involvement as much as possible.
  8. Attend and participate in regular supervision sessions and Hanley Crouch staff team meetings.
  9. Ensure that good equal opportunities practice underpins all work undertaken.
  10. Attend and participate in regular supervision sessions and Hanley Crouch staff team meetings.
  11. To comply with all HCCA policy including Health & Safety, Safeguarding & Child Protection and Equal Opportunities policies.
  12. Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Children’s Project Manager or Special Educational Needs Coordinator

 

This post requires occasional one-off additional evening or weekend sessions in return for time off in lieu.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications & Experience
 NVQ 2 in Play, Childcare or related qualification, working towards a Level 3.
 Experience of working in a childcare or play setting preferably in the voluntary sector.
 Experience of liaising with parents/carers, giving feedback about their child’s progress.
Knowledge & Understanding
 To demonstrate an understanding of the principles involved in working within a project where such children are fully integrated into all aspects of the work which is carried out.
 Understanding of the social, physical and emotional needs of children of all ages and abilities.
 Knowledge of Every Child Matters and legislation relating to children including Child Protection.
Skills and Abilities
 To be able to work effectively as part of a team.
 Able to use IT to access email, internet and for word processing.
 Ability to lead small groups in creative/sporting and entertaining activities.
 Able to undertake risk assessments prior to activities taking place.
 Able to communicate well with children and families accessing services.

Brickworks Community Centre
Hanley Crouch Community Association Ltd
42 Crouch Hill, London, N4 4BY
telephone 020 7263 1067
email admin@hanleycrouch.org.uk
registered charity 288337 company limited by guarantee 1771608

By |2022-04-04T01:44:32+00:0004/04/2022|Employment|0 Comments

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