Dementia-friendly Islington activities
Islington Community Brain Health Event
'Hear and Now' with The Philamonia Orchestra
Hear and Now Music Programme with The Philarmonia Orchestra
Who: For people living with dementia and their companions
When: Saturday 5th July, 11am - 4pm and Sunday 6th July, 12pm - 2pm with an informal sharing performance with friends and family at 3pm - 4pm.
Where: VOCES8 Centre, St Annes And St Agnes Church, Gresham Street, EC2V 7BX
What: This 2-day, weekend workshop Hear and Now is a free programme uniting all ages in creative music making, dance, and song. Hear and Now is a music-based creative programme that has been bringing communities together in Bedford and Leicester since 2010, led by the world-renowned Philharmonia.
Participate in workshops with musicians from the Philharmonia Orchestra. Sing, make music, share stories, explore poetry, and even dance! Create an informal performance to share your experience with family and friends. No musical experience or instrument playing needed—just bring your enthusiasm and love for music!
How to register: Numbers are restricted, so if you are interested in joining us, please email christina@artsfordementia.org or call 020 36339954.
Kick off with a Verse
Wednesday mornings, Sept 2025-July 2026Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, N4 3JP
Dementia Friends Information Sessions
Islington Council run free Dementia Friends sessions to help you understand more about the signs and symptoms of dementia. Dementia Friends is led by Alzheimer’s Society.
Whether you're a caregiver, family member, or simply curious, this in-person event is the perfect opportunity to gain valuable knowledge.
Don't miss out on this chance to expand your understanding and make a difference in the lives of those living with dementia.
No current dates, but look out for upcoming sessions - www.bit.ly/dementiafriends2024L
For more information contact Islington Council's, Dementia Coordinator – dfi@islington.gov.uk
Dementia Cafe
Care UK, Lennox House, 75 Durham Rd, Finsbury Park, N7 7DS
Every first Tuesday of the month, 2 – 4pm
Aimed at those living with dementia and their loved ones, you'll have the opportunity to meet other people, share experiences, take part in our fun activities and get advice and support. We have complementary refreshments including freshly baked cakes.
For more information please call us on 020 7272 6562 or email Adriana Bernschutz at Care UK or book via their website.
Fish & Chip Fridays! - Last Friday of the month, 12.30pm
For anyone who is looking into care, they can come for a free lunch and spend the afternoon at Lennox House. This event is for potential residents and their family members.
For more information contact Zoe Larnder - Customer Relations Manager at Lennox House. Zoe.Larnder@careuk.com
Alzheimer's Society Sessions
Harry Rice Hall, 72 – 74 Hargrave Park Road, Archway N19 5JN
Every Monday, 1 – 3pm
Singing for the brain sessions are designed to promote wellbeing and build confidence in people living with memory problems. More information & dates
Every other Wednesday, 1.30–4.30pm
Cecelia’s dementia cafe - chat to people who have been affected by dementia in a friendly and relaxed social environment. More information & dates
Contact their Dementia Advisor
Contact their Dementia Advisor to find out about their services and how they can help Islington@alzheimers.org.uk, 07484 - 089543 (Mon - Wed)
Picturehouse Cinemas
There are a number of Picturehouse cinemas in London, including one in Finsbury Park and one in Crouch End.
See their website for details of Relaxed Screenings.
These screenings are ideal for neurodivergent audiences of all ages, those living with dementia, and their families, friends, and carers, but all are welcome.
You can also find more useful information on their Picturehouse Accessibility page.
Islington Ecology Centre
Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH
We are 3 minutes from Arsenal tube and there is one Blue Badge parking space. Islington Ecology Centre is the blue wooden building just inside the park. The centre is fully wheelchair accessible.
Health & Nature Walk - first Friday of the month 10 - 11am
A slow walk around the park, discovering what's changed in nature. Tea and biscuits to follow. No need to book. Dementia-friendly.
Arts For Dementia Activities
Christina Bryant on 020 3633 9954 or email christina@artsfordementia.org.
Park Theatre Weekly Creative Sessions
13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP
Feel supported, relaxed, and uplifted in the Park Theatre's free weekly drama-based session for those living with dementia and their carers. Or try the weekly singing group. Both have social time with tea & coffee, and are a great chance to relax, chat and make friends.
Preparing for the Future Information sessions & support
Following a dementia diagnosis, it's essential to make sure that there are plans in place that will enable a loved one caring for an individual to step into manage their health and financial affairs should the need arise. Things as simple as paying bills can otherwise be very difficult.
The Future Matters team host regular free bookable information sessions at different Islington community venues. You can get free follow-up appointments too to help with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Plans.
Highbury New Park Day Centre
127 Highbury New Park, N5 2DS
Flexible, personalised daytime care for older people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in a fun, welcoming and homely environment. For more information call 0207 704 3731.
United Communities
United Communities CIO is a newly established LGBT+ national charity based in Islington who run a number of services for vulnerable and isolated LGBT+ persons. These include:
- Monthly On Line LGBT+ Memory Cafe for LGBT+ persons living with dementia and their partners
- Twice Monthly on line Support group for LGBT+ Carers of those living with dementia
- Occasional social and community meetings.,e.g a Pride events throughout the UK, three monthly meetings in central London
- Training volunteers to support LGBT+ dementia work
Islington Home Library Service
Flexible service visiting residents in their own home – every 2, 4 or 6 weeks
Do you enjoy reading, music or film but struggle to get to the library?
Islington Council’s Home Library Service delivers books and other resources to residents who find it difficult to access the library due to disability or mobility. The friendly team has access to a wide range of books in small and large print – including dementia-friendly titles. Books on CD, music CDs and DVDs are also available.
This free service is run by Kate, Donna and Jenny. For more information or to sign up, call 020 7527 7980 or email home.libaryservice@islington.gov.uk.
Click to Find out more
Treasure Bags
'Treasure Bags', a resource identified by an Islington carer are described on the National Association of Activity Providers and Provision website under Free Activities. There are over 100 item ideas, and notes on how to put it into action.
See the NAPA website
Dementia-friendly Islington
The Dementia Friendly Islington brings together people who live and work in Islington. You are welcome to join our growing network to share resources, find out what others are doing, promote events or just learn more about dementia.
Contact DFI@islington.gov.uk to find out more.
https://oneyouislington.org/topic/dementia-friendly-islington/