Hackney Senior By older people, for older people • summer 2019
CONNECT HACKNEY Join a project CHALLENGE AGEISM Fighting depression THE ENVIRONMENT Our polluted city HACKNEY LUNCH CLUBS – Nutritious meals & socialising Real-life stories and reports WHAT’S ON – Your by Hackney guide to Hackney over 50s CONNECT HACKNEY ageing better
CONNECT HACKNEY ageing better Dear colleague, Windrush Calling Hackney residents aged 50 and Stories of a Hackney Generation over – tell us your story! Following the success of last year’s Windrush project, we are running another Connect Hackney media group summer project.
We will be producing a commemorative booklet and film about Hackney’s older residents and Hackney’s heritage. If you are aged 50+, we’d love to hear your story. We are keen to capture stories from the 1930s to the present day. Our themes are:
The NHS over the years – especially in Hackney CONNECT HACKNEY • ageing better • How Hackney has changed – particularly around Dalston • Disabled people’s stories and experience • African people’s stories and experience • Turkish and Kurdish people’s stories and experience • The Vietnamese community’s stories and experience • LGBT+ people’s stories and experience.
Be interviewed for the film or booklet, research and write an article, or write your own story. Full training and support provided by our friendly team. No previous experience needed. We will launch the booklet and film at a special event at the start of October to coincide with the International Day of Older Person’s. Storytelling, writing and filming sessions take place during August and the first week of September. For more information or to get involved, please contact: Zelina, tel: 020 7923 1962 e: [email protected] Kind regards, Matt Bray Communications Director Hackney CVS/Connect Hackney Contents
Singing with Core Clapton 4 The Senior Media group 5 Oldie Friendly Hackney 6 Connect Hackney infographics 8 Challenging ageism, fighting depression 9 Our polluted city 10 The subject is waste 12 What’s on 14 Free projects for residents 50+ 16 Volunteering 18 Hackney lunch clubs 19 About us Hackney Senior is produced as part of Connect Hackney – one of 14 programmes in England funded through the National Lottery Community Fund’s Ageing Better programme. Connect Hackney commissions services and social activities from local charities and community organisations for residents aged 50+. The services and activities are provided to help older people stay connected and active and lead fulfilling lives. Find out more at: www.connecthackney.org.uk
The Senior Media group This magazine is produced with the Connect Hackney Senior Media group. To get involved, e: [email protected]. uk With thanks to everyone who contributed to this summer edition of Hackney Senior.
Tell your story If you have a story to tell, e: [email protected] or We do like to be beside send by post to the seaside! Matt Bray, The media group enjoyed their Connect Hackney, yearly summer trip at the start The Adiaha Antigha Centre, of July – this year to Brighton. 24 - 30 Dalston Lane, Travelling by coach, we arrived London, E8 3AZ at the seafront just in time for
All articles represent the views of their authors and not necessarily those of fish and chips on the pier. After Connect Hackney or its partners. enjoying the sea views and a stroll along the front, we wandered into the lanes, and then it was time for afternoon tea and cake! A fine day had by all.
Hackney Senior | 3 Social singing with Core Clapton Core Clapton’s Social Singing is for people of all ages with a special focus on the social inclusion of older people aged 55 and over that might be experiencing social isolation. The group meets once a week and is an opportunity to meet, sing and socialise with new friends.
Jean, a participant who is born and bred in About a dozen of us go. It’s mainly women, Hackney, explains how she has benefited from various ages and some men too. It’s a nice attending social singing. group of people. A friend of mine also goes. They’re a Buddhist like me. I became a Buddhist “I went to the luncheon Club at the Sam and in the 1980s when I realised that they believed Annie Cohen Day Centre, on Northwold Road. a lot of things that I used to believe. When it closed down I was worried that nothing would come in its place. I now go every Friday. Singing is on a Friday I’m so happy because Core Clapton are in the from 11 and then we finish off with tea and building now and it’s open to all local people. It’s biscuits and we have a chat. We do a variety lovely there and really near to me. We were there of songs, ones from other countries, protest today and we had a nice lunch together. songs and popular songs. Lizzie runs the group. She’s lovely and she keeps us going. I was born in Homerton and I live in Upper Clapton. I loved singing when I was young. I was Recently we performed at a wellbeing event in a choir before, and enjoyed it. Then I heard at Lower Clapton Road Surgery. It was our about the social singing earlier this year. first gig!”
Out and about Above, it was good to catch up with media group members Olive and Beulah as they did some gardening in the Hackney sun. Right, Hackney Brocals on a trip to London aquarium. The Brocals organise trips for Hackney men and their wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, hubbies, partners, grandchildren, aunties, uncles, neighbours… Tel: 020 8533 0951
4 | Summer 2019 Connect Hackney Senior Media group In the Connect Hackney Senior Media group, because I need to broaden my mind – after all Hackney residents aged 50+ learn computer and everything is based around computers. There media skills, many for the very first time. If you are times when you might get a phone call are a beginner or you want to brush up on your and at the end of the conversation they might computer skills, get in touch to join our friendly ask for an email address for instance. I think it’s media group. You will be learning how to use: very important to know the basics – after all we need to keep our mind in tune. I understand Computers and tablets • much more now about how to search for items, I • Digital cameras must say. Audio recording kits • We also went to St Mary’s Secret Garden (pictured • The Internet – including shopping online, right) to take photos. The garden has a project for research, local websites Hackney residents age 50+ • Setting up and using email with learning disabilities Using the keypad, typing articles and letters to meet new people, learn • new skills and enjoy the We meet once a week in Haggerston. Call Zelina garden. We took some on 020 7923 1962 to register for our next courses, photos of the beautiful starting January 2020. Accessible premises, free flowers and learnt how of charge – supported by the National Lottery to use the cameras as we Community Fund. walked around. Keeping our minds in tune at the media group With what I have learnt, I know how to order my Current media group member Julia Merchant reflects shopping online, with the on what she’s learnt in the group. help of my daughter. The group of people I work During my time here, I am more relaxed. I’ve with in the group are very gained more confidence in myself by attending the nice – we get on with each Connect Hackney media group. other we learn from each I do believe I can do all things if I put my mind to other and I am enjoying it. I am doing this computer and media course every minute!
Hackney Senior | 5 Stoke Newington School become the first Oldie Friendly school in Hackney THE OLDIE FRIENDLY HACKNEY PROJECT by Margaret Smith “We were disappointed but trusted in TFL’s expertise in this matter.”
Media Group projects going on, some of We give our logo to those Last year City and Hackney Carers which I shall outline below. businesses we consider to be Centre in Hackney received a Our aim is to make Hackney a oldie friendly, businesses that grant from the People’s Postcode more welcoming and accessible have put measures in place to Lottery. The grant was to fund a borough for older people. help older customers have a one year project aiming to make better time. Oldie friendly Hackney Hackney a more age friendly businesses Such measures include things borough for people aged 60 and like offering discounts to older over. We called the scheme the Firstly we very much wanted people, helping older customers Oldie Friendly Hackney project. to improve the customer experience for those over to their tables or seats, having The project coordinator is Sallie 60. You may have seen our a toilet with stair free access, Fellowes and I am a member logo – a circle with 60+ inside having sufficient space between of the steering group. You may it – displayed in certain cafes, tables which allows older have heard about our campaign. shops and businesses across people to move around safely We have many different smaller Hackney. and so on.
6 | Summer 2019 Older people using these Government cuts to TFL’s budget businesses are guaranteed to be resulting in bus route 48 being treated politely and respectfully. scrapped altogether from Oct It also makes sound economic 2019. Also bus 242’s route has and business sense for a café been curtailed and the 242 no or shop to be oldie friendly. longer serves Liverpool St. It Older people are encouraged terminates at Aldgate instead. to use these businesses and the resultant publicity will generate I am certain that these transport increased trade. issues and many others will affect not only older people but The challenge of crossing the the wider community as well. road – Kingsland High Street Oldie-Friendly Hackney Improving transport for older schools people is another ambition of the Oldie Friendly project. In The Oldie Friendly Hackney February this year, Sallie and scheme has also been involved in myself timed the traffic lights some intergenerational projects. situated on the A10, Kingsland We presented Stoke Newington High St directly outside the school with a certificate for Do have a look at our entrance to the indoor Kingsland becoming the first oldie friendly Twitter page and our Shopping Mall in Dalston E8. school in the borough. The website. school laid on a Christmas There was a mere 13 seconds party last year with lots of twitter.com/OldieFriendly crossing time. I emailed entertainment and party bags oldiefriendly.org.uk/ Transport for London (TFL) for lots of older people. to tell them that in our view If you are a business and would 13 seconds was insufficient time We also recently visited like to be deemed oldie friendly for older people to cross the Millfields Community School or if you want to nominate a road at this junction, especially and older people discussed business that you think is oldie for those with mobility issues their experiences of World War 2 friendly, please contact us. or other health conditions. TFL and of being evacuees with investigated this crossing. Year 5 (10 year olds). The older Or if you have an idea to make people brought in photos of Hackney a more age friendly After considering congestion themselves as children and borough, or if you just want to and traffic movement in the answered questions from the find out more, do please get in area, TFL judged 13 seconds to schoolchildren on topics like touch. We would love to hear be long enough crossing time rationing and doodlebugs. from you. and were unable to extend the duration. We were disappointed The children enjoyed the session Sallie Fellowes, but trusted in TFL’s expertise in so much that at the end, they Project Coordinator this matter. gave the older people a tour of Oldie Friendly Hackney their school. City & Hackney Carers Centre Continuing the transport theme, The Oldie Friendly Hackney the oldie friendly Hackney group Tel. 020 8533 0951 project has been gathering has been invited to a meeting momentum since it started. We e: sallie.fellowes@ at the Colvestone Parklet E8 this wish to improve the quality of life hackneycarers.org.uk July 6th where essential issues for older people, achieve change such as traffic and pollution in in society and fight ageism Hackney will be discussed. whenever we come across it. I shall be attending the meeting and will raise the issue of
Hackney Senior | 7
CONNECT HACKNEY INFOGRAPHICS 2015 – July 2019 Who got involved? donut
Connect Hackney runs a range of social 60-64 activities and projects for local residents 15% 65-69 aged 50+. What have we achieved? 201 55-59 13% 16% 215 174 5% Age 15% 50-54 69 197 70-74 Under 50 1% (8) 13% 170 13% Not stated 10% 172 1% (17) 85+ 130 75-79 2,761 older people got involved in Not stated 3 people 80-84 Connect Hackney projects
White 41% 557 Black 569 people have 29% volunteered – mostly Ethnicity Stay399ed older people 80% the same of olderN peopleot state d 8% said they sa3%w (47) 111 Impact 15% 3% 205 Of the local residents aged 50+ whopeople socially 34 Asian more or the Other have taken part: same amount Mixed • 87% maintained or improved their sense of wellbeing • 75% maintained or improved their social contact with others (non-family) 79% maintained or improved their • 29% Male social contact with friends and family Stayed Female 69% Gender 394 “I so much appreciate your efforts80 to % 934 the same 2% provide a welcoming and inclusiveo f older people 25 monthly event. Weekends are said they saw particularly bleak for those of us onpe ouropl e socially Not stated own and I really look forward comingmor e or the to Homerton Row.” same amount
We are now in phase 2 of Connect Hackney and have new activities and services for residents aged 50+. Find out more on pages 16-17.
8 | Summer 2019 Stayed 80% the same of older people said they saw people socially 28% Male more or the same amount Female 70% 353 862 2% 23
Not stated
Stayed 80% the same of older people said they saw people socially more or the same amount Challenging ageism, fighting depression A report from the Older People’s Wellbeing conference In March Connect Hackney accept negative stereotypes staff attended a conference about themselves. As we all on older people’s wellbeing. know, we live in an ageist society There were several interesting where boredom, loneliness and people’s mental health services, presentations. Kate Jopling from sadness are thought of as ‘normal’ especially because older people the International Longevity parts of later life. In fact a recent respond so well to treatment. Centre spoke about the need study found that 25% of young However, he did note that many to think about personal or adults thought that depression talking therapy services are emotional causes of loneliness and unhappiness were normal inaccessible for disabled people such as shyness or mental health parts of growing older. and few, if any, services offer problems and to separate these Dr Alex Bailey, a consultant home visits. from structural causes such older people’s psychiatrist from The conference gave the as inaccessible transport or the Westminster Older Adults Connect Hackney team a lot to poverty. Kate argued that both Community Mental Health think about in how to overcome the personal and the structural Team, gave a presentation on ageism and what we can elements of loneliness need to how ageist assumptions about collectively do to tackle ageism be overcome in order for older being miserable in later life in Hackney. The Older People’s people to build relationships and means that doctors often ignore Committee are working with overcome isolation. signs of depression in older the staff team to develop an Ageism was another key theme people and don’t diagnose it anti-ageism campaign. Hackney of the conference. There was as a health condition. He gave Senior will be covering the discussion on how to approach some really positive statistics on campaign and how you can get ageing, how younger people how well older people respond involved so keep an eye out for feel about older people and how to antidepressants and said updates in future issues. older people can sometimes that we must fight for older Judy Harris
Bitter sweet homecoming by Charles Daniel My mother was only home for was also drinking too much. to take it steady and eat regularly a short while, a brief period of At this point I was removed from and take cod liver oil and malt as joy for me, then my mother was school a third time to Craven Park well as continual check-ups. taken back into hospital as her primary near to my Aunt’s where Despite my mother going body was unable to take the I stayed for eighteen months through this ordeal my relatives medication. The doctors told my whilst my mother was recovering. seemed reluctant to help and Nan they would have to operate I heard later that when they and cut away part of her lung The operation was a success but had gone to see my mother in that was affected and that it was not without leaving a 39-inch a serious operation. scar down her back. At this time, hospital they had upset her by I remember taking my 11 plus saying there was nothing wrong At this point I was about 11 years exam and fearing the worst at my with her. The doctors told them of age. My middle brother Alan to leave as they had caused my was 15 years. Unfortunately, he mother’s forthcoming operation. mother’s temperature to rise had become disillusioned with I was oh so glad when the time our father and got into trouble came for my mother to come dramatically. and asked the court to be sent home. When I first saw her, I Now she was home, but little rest into care. My oldest brother who could see she had lost a lot of did she have. It seemed to me she was 17 years, was working but he weight. The doctors said she had had one ordeal after another.
Hackney Senior | 9 Interview with Tom Ruben Tom Ruben discusses are the main traffic his concerns about the pollutants. I did that with the Finsbury environment with the Park Action Group. Connect Hackney Senior Q: Why did you Media group. Interview by consider air Elizabeth McGovern, with pollution to be so Charles Daniels. important? TR: There are so many Q: The area you are living now, polluted areas in how long you lived there? London, terrible areas. Some are also noise emission reduced. TR: I have lived in Finsbury Park in the smartest parts of London Transport for London are putting since 1983. It is a bad area for as well, look at Oxford Street, in a lot of effort. Those are just air pollution, busy with traffic. look at Parliament Square. some of the measures that I have been concerned with Q: If you could choose a magic need to be pursued fully and air pollution problems along wand to wave, what would wholeheartedly into the far with a number of other local it be? future, because we are looking environmental problems. It at generation after generation. is with you all the time. Every TR: There is this long term plan, People are going to be living in time you go out of the house to convert London car traffic big cities indefinitely. on to any main road, not only to electric. That’s the Mayor of Q: Do you mean by all in terms of the air quality which London’s plan. generations, older people and you breathe in, but also the Q: Do you think the electric car younger people? noise levels, enormous range strategy is correct? of traffic, heavy traffic, lorry and TR: Yes, both. As regards to TR: It’s going to be a great help truck traffic as well as enormous pollution danger to young if it can be achieved. Electric cars amounts of private cars. children, being so small, they don’t present anything like the are very close to the exhausts of pollution problem that diesel Q: How does it effect you cars as they go past, much closer cars do. Diesel cars cause four personally? Can you taste it? than adults. If more parents were times the amount of nitrogen TR: Yes, I recall some little aware of that problem for young dioxide than petrol cars. So there while ago I visited a friend in children, it’s pretty sure more is obvious benefit in this electric the countryside for a weekend parents would be active and car policy. Also, people should be and returning to Finsbury Park up in arms on pollution issues. encouraged to use private cars station. As soon as I got out of Likewise, if more people were less and public transport more. the station I could sense the aware of the dangers to older That means improving public air quality difference. It was people whose physical systems transport not just technically so conspicuous, and normally have similar weaknesses to those but also financially, lowering one doesn’t notice it so of young people. the prices. clearly. However, when you go Q: Who do you think should be Unless you have a special travel somewhere else with good air informing parents? quality and come back, then that card or pass you are paying lot. difference is very, very noticeable. You can buy a season ticket, TR: All media really. And there but a season ticket is very is of course the influence the Q: How did you come to try and expensive in comparison with government carries, whatever do something about it? what it could be. Public transport party is in power. TR: Several years ago, I did some vehicles also need to be made air pollution testing for nitrogen much more environmentally oxide and also particulates which friendly, less polluting, and
10 | Summer 2019 BBC confirms that over 75s will have to pay TV licence fee from June 2020 By Charles Daniel, Senior Media group
The BBC TV licence for pensioners aged 75 years and older will no longer be free starting from 1 June 2020. The only exceptions are for pensioners who are on pension credit. Up to 3.7million people will be affected. Are we losing the very fundamentals of society that we hold dear? Mainly that the idea of charity is for the greater good. As a pensioner who is on benefits, I would probably be exempt. Nevertheless, I feel there are many more deserving pensioners – if not all – who placed on profit and loss. This is an over 75 TV Licence on your in their senior years should be the stumbling block that thwarts 75th birthday. You have to apply treated with great respect. the conscience of the people for one. in power. After all, each and every one of BBC Licence helpline us has contributed not only to How do I apply for a free over 03007906117 the wealth of this great nation, 75 TV Licence until June 2020? Have the following information but also to our shared pride Once you or someone you to handy: which we show to the world as a live with are over 74 you Name and address leader in human dignity. are eligible to apply for the It seems to me that too much over 75 free licence for your Date of birth emphasis, when dealing with household. Remember that National insurance number the essence of human dignity, is you don’t automatically get Current TVL number
Independence days By Irene Doswell
My independence started when life changed for the better – I Brighton in July and looking my partner left. It was very was going out more – shopping, forward to it. We are going with strange at first, but with the help lunches and the pictures. We also the Connect Hackney Senior of friends I could think for myself do the garden and Lesley feeds Media group. It’s nice not to have and do what I wanted – when the cats who have made a home to ask permission. We go to a lot I wanted! I only had to answer with us. I also have a cat of my of clubs with people our own age to myself. own – her name is Molly, she is – different places have summer eight years old. barbeques and Christmas dinners I got a flat – it was the making and we have a ball. I hope if you of me. Then I met Lesley and my I am going on a day trip to do read this, it might help.
Hackney Senior | 11 THE SUBJECT IS WASTE by Harold Rubin
Food waste, time wasted, energy waste, and the waste of resources. To end with a pun, your waist!
Almost as much food is disposed a food snob. I prefer saying of as is consumed. Returning “dining” to eating, I take the time food to the earth via landfill or to prepare and enjoy it. I have destruction is a criminal act, earned my living from making especially when a growing food, so I am accustomed to when they cook as amateur or number of people and children the time I devote to it, also I am professional. Perhaps as a further are going hungry. prepared at times to pay more plug for equality women – for what I use. On the other hand, There needs to be coordination especially those keeping homes I can produce very enjoyable – should be given greater credit among food suppliers so that meals with little expense from when date stamp or freshness and appreciation. Theirs is a day fresh ingredients which can to day unpaid vocation. of product is nearly at an end it cost much less than ready can be used by those who need meals and sagging bagged, Social media, the press and it. A small space in a large market plastic wrapped, tired fruit and television all bombard us with could be donated as a depot for vegetables. new “miracle foods”, strangely the traders to bring these foods named ingredients and and deposited for charities and unfamiliar items. Some are a individuals to take and make The comradery of times variation on a traditional food use of. gone by which earlier generations took for granted. Families were bred I miss the comradery of the on homemade soups, a lost art. Eating for the body butchers, fish sellers and green and mind grocers with whom I used to Many of these were simply converse and whose advice what chefs call “stock” and There is only one secret to I would take for any new to used bones from cooked good cooking – ENJOYMENT. me food I had been tempted or uncooked carcases and Liking the doing, the eating and to try. The plastic portions of whichever vegetable trimmings the sharing. This can improve any of these food stuffs does and bits were on hand. The most your lifestyle and your health. not speak to me and after the enduring of these is chicken Much research is being done struggle unwrapping them, how soup, the famous “Jewish scientifically to prove this disappointing they often prove Penicillin” still made frequently, statement. The more recent as ingredients. as which home cook does not studies have shown that a better serve chicken each week. diet will soothe the mind as well I was not trained to be a chef. as the body. My prowess has developed Chicken has become as bread from practice, reading, dining in and potatoes at one time were, restaurants and friends’ homes the most frequently used of I do not follow fad diets and advice from a great many foods; inexpensive and always Fortunately, from early childhood good cooks both female and available, but sadly without I had been introduced to male. I have noticed that men some help from the cook, rather wholesome food stuffs. I am get great kudos and attention lacking in flavour.
12 | Summer 2019 Soups, broths, stock pots Now among diet faddists we it could become spoiled. Of the I also have recreated recipes have “Bone Broth”, the same as many soups I serve, one of the of old. One is the simple fruit “Chef’s Stock Pot” but pored over most popular is the Chinese Hot crumble. I use a food processor like the witches in Macbeth and and Sour, a restaurant classic. to make the “crumbs” with treated as a secret formula with Another popular dish which has sugar, flour and oatmeal and claims of health benefits. I do radically changed the market butter (or the oil and buttermilk not deny the claims for health value of what was once a thrown substitutes) which I layer on the coming from this brew, I have away part of the chicken is the so base of the dish and briefly bake before topping with the fruit of long practiced its making and called “Buffalo Wings”, titled after use. A version of it is the base for choice and the rest of the crumb the American city supposedly of endless Oriental dishes. In fine and complete the baking. its origin. restaurants of the past a large Should any of these recipes This is making use of the stock pot was a feature in their tempt you or if you have chickens’ wings, which cost more kitchens and was frequently any food questions I might than an entire chicken by weight added to with top up water reply to, please address – in some supermarkets. I found and leftover trimmings from [email protected] that the same technique can be recipes being prepared. Before and I will be pleased to answer. refrigeration it was a practice to applied to the drumsticks, much keep this sort of food on the boil more meat and cheaper price, or to periodically reheat it before same supermarket.
DALSTON ICON By John Hynes, Connect Hackney Senior Media group Should you find yourself walking down the Balls Pond Road towards Hackney and walk across Kingsland Road, you will find yourself on Dalston Lane. There, opposite the library, you will find a well- known Dalston icon. It is a mural on the gable of a house. It is a large bright, eye-catching portrait of many people from many lands. I was informed many years ago that it was meant to represent love and peace between nations and the many different people of Hackney, or London, or even the whole of England. Whether this is true, I don’t know. But it would certainly be a very good idea! Eastern Curve Just behind the mural there is a peaceful retreat where you can – for an hour or two – block out the noise and snarl of traffic. There, among the trees and flowers, you can rest your weary limbs and have a cup of tea and a cake. There are also well-cared for, clean toilets (very important!). Yes, if it is a bit of peace and tranquillity you’re after, then this is the place for you. I’m not sure if dogs are allowed. But mothers, fathers and children are more than welcome. It’s also quite a nice spot for a picnic, or just a morning or afternoon out.
Hackney Senior | 13 What’s on in Hackney for over 50s? Activities and events are free unless otherwise stated. Listings are correct at the time of going to press. Many groups have more activities than we can list so call them for more info.
have included line dancing, live MRS Learn Together Club Tai Chi (regular event) music, seated yoga and bingo. Every Tuesday 2.00pm - 3.00pm Learn how to use tablets and Sessions start at 11am and run John Scott Health Centre smartphones and find your to 3/4pm. (lease note there will 220 Green Lanes way through the digital maze. be no session in August for the N4 2NU Informal and fun group sessions summer holidays) that are free to attend. Bring your For older people who want more Tai Chi own device or borrow one. information call 0208 985 4239 Every Friday 11.30am - 12.30pm Thursday afternoons at or email [email protected] Regent Estate Pensioners Hall, Clapton Library. Brougham Road E8 4PD Call Natalie on 07423 162019 Hoxton Health Exercise Classes Hoxton Health Complementary Fun, social exercise classes. Silver Connections: Free six Therapies week mobile phone courses £2 charge per class, unless Low cost, high quality holistic for over 60’s (we have spare otherwise stated: just turn up therapies from experienced and smartphones for use in sessions or, to chat to us about what caring practitioners. Our aim is if needed). Courses are running activity will suit you best call to help people live happier and this year only and are booking 020 77392533. All venues are healthier in later life. Call 020 up fast so get in touch to fully accessible. 7739 2533 to see how our range reserve your place! Line Dancing of treatments can help you and Covering the phone basics, Every Wednesday 10am-11am to book an appointment, or visit useful tips – to make your life Britannia Centre, 40 Hyde Road www.hoxtonhealth.org easier, help you get out and N1 5JU about, discover what’s on in your Core Clapton Wellness Classes local area and meet new people. FREE Join these uplifting classes in the Next course starts 05/09/19 at Line Dancing beautiful Old Parish Hall at Core King’s Hall Leisure Centre. Clapton, the former Sam and Future courses in Lower Clapton Every Wednesday 1pm - 2pm Annie Cohen Day Centre. Road. Regents Estate Pensioner’s Hall, Pilates: A low-impact class Call Sarah Warman at Brougham Road E8 4PD specially programmed to improve Groundwork London on physical strength, flexibility and 0208 510 5419 or email Chair-Based Exercise posture. Regular drop-in class silverconnections@groundwork. every Monday 11am - 12pm. At Every Wednesday 10am - 11.00am org.uk Core Clapton, 161 Northwold Arden Estate Community Hall Road, E5 8RL. Accessible venue Silver Saturday Regan Way, N1 6PH with ramp and lift. Silver Saturday is a free social FREE Women’s Mindful Movement: A club, bringing older people gentle movement and stretching together for fun and creative Chair-Based Exercise class combining elements of activities on the last Saturday of Yoga, Pilates and Qi Gong. Leave Every Thursday 11.30am - 12.30pm every month at 15a Homerton feeling strong, stretched and Row (wheelchair accessible). Regent Estate, Pensioners Hall, relaxed. Regular drop-in session Activities vary each month and Brougham Road E8 4PD every Wednesday 11am - 12pm
14 | Summer 2019 Tai Chi: Boost your energy, coffee, biscuits and conversation An opportunity for adults with mobilise your joints and relax all provided free of charge! learning disabilities in Hackney your mind with this gentle Every Tuesday 11am - 12pm at to come together, socialise and exercise, sitting or standing. Limetree Court, Clapton to get their voice heard. Regular drop-in classes every First Friday of each month, 6 - 8pm Monday 6.30pm - 7.30pm and Every Wednesday 10am - 12pm Thursday 11am - 12pm at the café in the Crypt, St Peter’s Hackney CVS Conference Room, Church, Northchurch Terrace, 24-30 Dalston Lane, E8 3AZ Social Singing: Sing together N1 4DA and lift your spirits in an informal Call John on 07824 364 203 and friendly group setting. All Every Wednesday 11am - 1pm styles of music. No experience at Lawrence Court, Stoke Hackney Dudes brunch BBQ required – just let yourself join Newington open day for Hackney men aged 50+ (one off event) in! Regular drop-in session every Every Thursday 10am - 12pm at Drop in and join the Hackney Friday 11am - 12pm. St Joseph’s Hospice Community Dudes for a free brunch and chat Hub, Mare Street, E8 4SA All sessions run at Core Clapton, about the free activities at our 161 Northwold Road, E5 8RL. Every Saturday 2pm - 4pm at weekly Friday meet up for men Accessible venue with ramp St Joseph’s Hospice Garden aged 50+. We also run regular and lift. Call 0300 5610 161 or Room, Mare Street, E8 4SA outings, provide help with using email [email protected] (All venues are wheelchair computers, and make things for more info and to book. (upcycling). Suggested donation from £2. accessible) Contact Lucia on 020 8525 3206 Friday 9 August 2019 Core Clapton Osteopathy or email [email protected] 10am - 1pm Treatments Whitmore Community Centre, High-quality treatment for aches JOY YOGA 2-4 Phillipp Street, N1 5NU (ground floor with wheelchair and pains. Osteopaths work Gentle Yoga, every Wednesday. access & accessible toilet). with the whole body to improve Open to the public, beginners symptoms of musculoskeletal welcome. Contact: Vicky Harrison 07957 pain and get you back to your 432 098 (Wednesday & Friday) Kundalini Yoga classes intended optimal health. All sessions at or 0330 380 1013 to leave a Core Clapton, 161 Northwold for older adults. Yoga and message. Road, E5 8RL. Appointments meditation at a slower pace, available from Monday to Friday. suitable to practice while sitting Fully accessible venue. on a chair or on the floor. Wednesdays 10:30am - 11:45am Classic matinee Call 0300 5610 161 or email [email protected] for details JOY Yoga Dalston. 27D Dalston screenings at and to book. Concession rate £15 Lane. London E8 3DF. The studio Rio Cinema is on the ground floor level with for a 30-45 minute session. Classic matinees are held no steps. Toilets (not accessible) once a month on Wednesday are on the ground floor level. Compassionate Neighbours afternoons at 2.30pm. Screen- Contact: Sat Shakti 02078129836 Compassionate Neighbours ing Hollywood classics and is an award winning social Price: by donation. recent films. Tickets are just movement offering support and £2 for the over 60s whilst care A contribution is required and home residents, people with friendship to people living in East there is no minimum amount. London. We run training sessions dementia and carers go free. throughout the year for people Free tea, coffee and biscuits. PEOPLE FIRST HACKNEY who would like to get involved Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland and we host weekly social Better Together Project – Big High Street, E8 2PB groups that everyone is welcome Meet Up for adults with learning t: 020 7241 9410 to attend to find out more. Tea, disabilities of all ages.
Hackney Senior | 15 Connect Hackney projects Free projects for Hackney residents aged 50+
Projects for older people with ‘Living with a hearing loss’ programme is designed learning disabilities to empower older people to manage difficulties related to hearing loss. Peter Bedford Housing Association Contact Sharon on 0744 253 8944. Works with people with learning disabilities aged 50 and over on a range of activities to improve City and Hackney Carers ‘Hackney Brocals’ is a skills and confidence, health and wellbeing, and to multi-generational befriending project. Brocals socialise. Activities include: learning how to use a provides a regular series of bus trips in Hackney touch screen tablet, gardening and creative crafts. and beyond and have home based support for Contact Kamye Miessen or Anjum Ahmed on men who can’t often leave home. The project 020 3815 4100. includes volunteering and a buddying system which sees younger volunteers committing to visit St Mary’s Secret Garden ‘The Garden Social’ isolated elders in the community. provides a weekly club for people with learning Contact Hackney Brocals on 0208 533 0951 disabilities aged 50 and over. The Club brings or visit the website at www.brocals.org local older people together to work on shared gardening and maintenance activities. There are Hackney Co-operative Developments Delivering also opportunities for the ‘Garden Socialisers’ to a programme of activities aimed mainly at men plan and develop the creative and social activities aged over 50 that use Gillett Square in Dalston of the club. area as a place to gather and socialise. All activities Contact Siobhan MacMahon on 020 7739 2965. involve men aged 50 and over as session leaders e: [email protected] or volunteers. Additionally, participants are encouraged to organise their own small-scale Community Connections project community events. for everyone Contact Anja Beinroth on 020 3875 9352. e: [email protected] Shoreditch Trust ‘Community Connectors’ work with local partners to reach socially isolated people MRS Independent Living Hackney Dudes is a aged 50 and over. The project provides one-to- community project which aims to increase older one sessions with older people to help them build men’s confidence in engaging with services and confidence and get involved with local groups and activities that promote improved health and social activities. The project will be delivered from wellbeing. accessible community spaces, complemented by Contact Vicky Harrison on 0330 380 1013. home visits where needed. e: [email protected] Contact Teresa Buckland on 020 7033 8587. e: [email protected] Projects for older people who want to Projects for men learn or brush up on digital skills Action on Hearing Loss (with deafPLUS) Groundwork London “Silver Connections – Working with men over the age of 50 who have Making the Most of your Mobile” is a programme confirmed or unidentified hearing loss. They of six weekly sessions designed to increase the provide access to one-to-one and community confidence of people aged 60+ to use their hearing screening checks, with follow-up support, smartphones to access information. hearing aid maintenance support groups and Contact Sarah on 0208 5105 419. befriending visits. e: [email protected]
16 | Summer 2019 These are glamorous events held in the heart MRS Independent Living Running a project of the community and emphasise dressing which supports older people to gain or improve up, live entertainment, social connectivity and their digital knowhow and confidence to find intergenerational volunteering. Come and feel information about services, support and leisure alive, connected and joyful! activities online. It delivers one-to-one and small group support and opportunities for older people Contact Tracey Smith at The Posh Club in Hackney to connect socially. on 07938 985 644. Contact MRS Independent Living on Mind in the City, Hackney & Waltham Forest 0330 380 1013. Silver Saturdays is a social club, bringing older Newham New Deal Partnership The @online people together for fun and creative activities Network helps build older people’s confidence to at the Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham get online. It provides six to eight programmes of Forest Wellbeing Centre on the first Saturday of practical activities based on members’ interests at each month. The programme is run in partnership venues around Hackney, and follow on support via with Hoxton Health, Hanover Housing Association e-newsletters, telephone advice and drop-in. and Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation. Contact Newham NDP on 020 7366 6343. Contact Mind CHWF on 020 8985 4239. e: [email protected] Projects for older people with more Projects putting on community activities complex needs for all older people Connect at Core, Sporting and social activities held at Core Arts and partner venues across Hackney. Friends of Woodberry Down (FOWD) The FOWD (Core Arts promote positive mental health and Community Project is delivering a series of weekly wellbeing through creative learning). Connect at community events aimed at older people. It will Core is open to all older people in Hackney via GP or allow older and younger people to come together, self-referral. share food and enjoy a programme of activities at Tel: 0300 561 0161. the various community venues in their local area. Contact Amanda Inniss on GOAL (Getting Out and About Locally) provides 0787 634 5457 / 0785 232 8993. a bookable excursion service. Running five days a week it includes transport as well as a range of Core Clapton Social Singing is a singing group activities. for people of all ages with a special focus on the social inclusion of older people that might be Tel: 020 7275 2400. experiencing social isolation. The group meets Bring The Outside In will utilise more of once a week and an opportunity to meet, sing and Anchor Hanover Housing’s communal spaces by socialise with new friends. partnering with multiple organisations to deliver Contact Core Clapton on 0300 561 0161. wellbeing services to its residents. Where possible Immediate Theatre Theatre Exchange is a year- the services will also be open to the wider over 55s round programme of theatre workshops and community in the borough. performances for older people. It delivers three Tel: 0775 310 0322. eight-week programmes in community settings offering a range of theatre-making skills, singing, CarersCollectiveLDN is a collective devoted to helping carers and the people they support story sharing, prop-making, as well as acting/ connect on both a creative and a personal level. performing. It also explores different ways to bring Weekly meetings will provide a safe space for together older and younger generations. carers at risk of mental health issues, carers who Contact Immediate Theatre on 020 7682 3031. find it hard to leave the house and carers for Duckie Ltd. The Posh Club (TPC) is a weekly social people with dementia to come together, connect and entertainment club produced by the arts and and be inspired. events company Duckie Ltd. for adults over 60. Tel: 020 8533 0951.
Hackney Senior | 17 Volunteering by Andreas Kyriacou
In 1965, I met somebody who seemed to be a lonely person. He was a Palestinian refugee of 1948, when Palestinians were driven away from their homes.
Visiting friends At the last residential home He was living on his own in a he was moved to in Essex, he passed away. Since then it large house, where nobody else became a habit for me to visit was living. It was a very old and refer to me – so they keep me people in residential homes or cold house. Eventually this friend very busy indeed! in their own homes. Some of became ill due to hypothermia. The strength to contact them have died. The last who He suffered frostbite. I helped lonely people died was a 98-year-old lady who him to get in hospital. However, was living in her flat in Stoke Because I worked as an his state of mind became very Newington. Until the last days interpreter for many years, confused and eventually he was of her life, she was mentally some agencies still contact me declared mentally ill and was healthy and was using her hands to interpret for their clients. kept at the old St John’s wing of and brains very efficiently. She Yesterday for example I spent Homerton Hospital. (Today that was making lace, watching telly, half a day in hospital interpreting wing is demolished, and a new reading newspapers, books and and giving emotional support to section was built up called the magazines – mainly for new lace a patient who was undergoing East Wing). patterns and she was copying an operation. I spent half an hour in the operating theatre I used to go and see him very them very quickly. But after a watching the operation. It was frequently and I met other very short illness that lasted 10 so cold in the operating theatre, people there, suffering from days, she died in hospital. I started having cramps in my mental health problems. Now I see her daughter who legs – I think for my age it’s a Sometime later my friend was is in her late 70s and suffering bit too much to spend time in moved to a centre in Redbridge. with depression because she operating theatres. As if that I kept visiting him regularly. lost her son who was in his late wasn’t enough, I had to go to Because of him I met many 30s and she never recovered the funeral of a friend’s wife. He people who were permanently since. I see also on regular basis was very moved to see me, and living in residential homes and a lady who is confined at home that emotion gave me strength other set ups for people with together with her disabled son to continue contacting lonely mental health problems, or who is in his late 30s. As many people. Life being what it is, you just elderly and disabled, being people know about my activities, can never tell your luck. But I am unable to live on their own and when somebody has a problem still enthusiastic to see people, I look after themselves. or is admitted to hospital, they think it is very rewarding.
The Silver Line NHS 111 If you’re worried about an Need help? Call ANYTIME on: urgent medical concern, call 111 0800 470 80 90 NHS 111 is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by a team of fully trained advisers. For older people providing free confidential information, friendship and advice. Open If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. you can use the NHS 111 service through a textphone by calling 18001 111. For less urgent Charity no: 1147330 (founded by Esther Rantzen DBE). health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist.
18 | Summer 2019 Is it lunch yet?
Hackney’s lunch clubs provide healthy and nutritious meals for just a small fee. They also run social activities such as playing cards, mahjong and dominoes as well as local outings and summer day trips. Please phone to check details.
Lunch Up Hackney Caribbean Elderly Halkevi Turkish and Kurdish Redmond Community Centre, Organisation Community Centre Kayani Avenue, Woodberry 39 Leswin Road, Stoke 31-33 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF Down N4 2HF Newington, N16 7NX Tuesdays Tuesdays, 12 noon - 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday Phone Yashar Ismailoglu on Phone Lydia on 07804 693461 Phone Hazel McKenzie on 020 7249 6980 e: [email protected] 020 7923 3536 Hackney Cypriot Association Nightingale Lunch Club Chatsworth Road Lunch Club 19 Olympus Way, Nightingale 5 Balls Pond Road, N1 4AX Clapton Park Methodist Church, Estate, E5 8ND Open three days a week 99 Chatsworth Road, E5 0LH Lunch is served five days a week, Phone Cemile Göksan on Lunch club run by and for local Monday to Friday at 12pm 020 7254 7920 African Caribbean people Phone Alice Burke on An Viet Foundation Thursdays, 11.30am - 3.30pm 020 8985 1309 Email Velma Bramble at 12-14 Englefield Road, N1 4LS Holly Street Lunch Club [email protected] Vietnamese community lunch 331 Queensbridge Road, E8 3LA club. North London Muslim Monday, Wednesday, Friday Mondays, Tuesdays and Community Centre (NLMCC) t: 020 7923 1282 Thursdays 66-68 Cazenove Road, N16 6AA t: 020 7275 7780 Salvation Army Hoxton Men: Wednesday 6.30pm, 66 New North Road, N1 6TG women: Sundays 5pm Salvation Army Cambridge Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Phone Hashim Rawaf on Heath Thursdays 9:30am - 3:00pm. 020 8806 1147 extension 6 70 Mare Street, E8 4RT Phone Sally Spry 020 7739 3313 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Hackney Chinese Community Phone Dawn Johnson on Services Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia 020 8985 4410 (VLC) Centre 28-32 Ellingfort Road, E8 3PA 151 Whiston Road, E2 8BN Monday, Tuesday, Friday Wednesday and Saturday Phone Yvonne Tse on 020 8533 Phone Pierre on 020 7739 3650 5066 or 020 8986 6171 The Gift Mother My mother never had a good handbag so I bought her one. High hair braided. Red. The smell and cut of the azure leather was intoxicating. Swirt of silk. Green. Perhaps I was buying it for myself Mother freewheels down the hill, to comfort me for all the years I never had you. bell ringing Munificent. I touched the bag. As if her basket overflows with Studied its meticulous stitching: balloons and chocolate smoothed the soft suede lining’s changing nap: to bestow on godly children. listened as the brass clasp sharp-snapped shut. Not an envelope containing school It was the colour of English skies fees. not the hot Australian sky from which I hid. Oftentimes you needed E.S.P. to The leather sounded supple gauge her mood. as if still walking, chewing the cud. Or to consult the weather house trusting its wooden figures to give She peered closely. ‘When would I ever use it? Just for church!’ you good counsel. ‘No, every day. Forget about keeping things for best.’ Summoned by the use of my She touched the bag as if it were some curious holy relic. proper name, In that moment I knew my gift was doomed, a command NOT to be ignored. as all my gifts to her were doomed. I sniff the air, I taste the rain – And still I bring gifts. siblings sigh, grateful it is not them.
About my neighbour By Adrian Gamble I agreed, as carrying a little years, she and a few others, I’d said hello on many occasions extra now and again didn’t were laid off. to a lady that lived in my block, seem too much to ask. Anyway, Feeling useful but had never spoken more I was glad to help. Then, after a while working in a than that. Then in October Friendship betting shop also, as a cleaner, 2007, I was walking home from I’ve been doing this for her she started to have difficulty a visit to the shops and saw ever since and we’ve become with her walking. She carried her coming in the opposite on, trying to manage as usual, direction. She stopped me and good friends as a result. I but eventually found it too asked how I was. After a brief learned how she brought up much and unfortunately, had to conversation she explained her brothers and sisters in give up working. she was going into hospital Italy after their parents had at the end of the month for both died when they were Having had some health an operation on her knee. I quite young. And, how she’d problems myself, which have had noticed before that she moved to England in 1969, with made it hard to work for long needed a stick to walk with, but other members of her family. periods, I can understand how hadn’t known the full extent She’d looked for work, and frustrating it can be. Especially, of her disability. She told me her first job was as a cleaner, when you’ve been used to she didn’t think she’d be able at Homerton Hospital. She going out every day. Apart to carry any shopping, other told me she’d enjoyed being from meeting people, it gives than the lightest of items, after there and had made some the day structure. It’s good to coming home. She asked if good friends, during that time. feel useful and to know you’re I would be able to help her. Having been there for several contributing something.