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Working together to keep Islington safe
A message from Cllr Richard Watts:
Do your bit to keep Islington safe
In the last few weeks, as lockdown has started to ease, there has been an escalation in loud parties, gatherings across the borough and littering in Islington’s parks. Council staff, emergency services, including NHS staff, and key workers are all doing their bit in challenging circumstances to keep Islington safe, but we all need to work together.
Coronavirus is still a reality - a deadly virus that hasn’t gone away - so we need to help keep each other safe and avoid a local lockdown. Please do your bit by keeping a safe distance from each other, binning your litter or taking it home, and respecting those around you by keeping the noise down. Don't use public transport unless it is essential, and wear a facemask if you are using the bus or tube. Get the latest advice on how to stay safe here.
Cllr Richard Watts,
Leader of Islington Council
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Tell us about your experiences
Islington Council’s Public Health team are inviting Islington residents to share their experiences of daily life during the Covid-19 pandemic. Your views will help us to offer the right support to residents over the coming months. There is a chance to enter a prize draw once you’ve completed the survey, with three £50 high street shopping vouchers to be won.
If you would like to complete the survey on the telephone, please call us on 07813 545 613.
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Islington libraries hope to see you soon
We know you have been missing libraries since they closed for lockdown. Plans are being worked on for a gradual and safe re-opening of local libraries, so keep an eye on our e-bulletins for updates on when you can start returning books and the services that libraries will be providing.
You can still use Islington Libraries online resources (books, e-audio books, newspapers and magazines) and take part in group activities for older people on Zoom. If you are already a Library member, you will be contacted directly. There won't be any fines for overdue books etc.
Click the link below for updates, or call the Libraries service on 0207 527 6952.
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Your local health services are still here to help
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and access support. Some services may look different as they have adapted to the current situation, for example you might speak to someone over the phone instead of in person. This is to help keep everyone safe.
Visit our website to find out more about individual services, including support with substance misuse, mental health, sexual health, dental care and your local stop smoking service.
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Support our local shops
Islington is well-known for its vibrant and diverse shops and businesses, and right now they need your support more than ever. As non-essential retail stores, bars, restaurants and cafes start to reopen, we need you to shop local and help local businesses and our economy get back on its feet. It’s important to do this safely, though. The council is working closely with business owners to make sure their premises and services are safe for their staff and customers, and have put in place several measures to make high streets more people-friendly.
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Join us in saying Happy Birthday NHS
This Sunday (5 July) marks 72 years since the NHS was founded. This year has been another massive reminder of the importance of the NHS. Fantastic, selfless staff have been working tirelessly to keep us safe during the pandemic, and it’s vital we all keep doing our bit to protect them too by maintaining social distancing, regular handwashing and wearing a facemask on public transport. To mark the occasion, the whole country is being invited to come together at 5pm on Sunday to applaud the efforts and sacrifices of all those working to tackle coronavirus.
Saturday (4 July) will be a moment of remembrance and reflection for the lives lost during this challenging time and we will light the Town Hall blue as part of the #LightItBlue nationwide campaign.
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Try Before You Bike
Under lockdown, demand for cycling in London has skyrocketed. As bike stores sell out, getting your hands on a bike that suits your experience, needs and budget is a challenge. That’s where Try Before You Bike come in. Run on behalf of the council by Peddle My Wheels, the scheme has been delivering a range of affordable bicycles to Islington residents for under £20 a month.
If you're thinking of starting cycling to help with essential shopping or exercise, then simply choose your new bike and accessories. Your bike will be delivered direct to you and you'll be given free Cycle Skills sessions to get you started.
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Have your say on Holloway Prison site
Have your say on the consultation for the transformation of the Holloway Prison site. The Holloway Prison site is one of enormous significance for Islington. Aside from its historic importance, the site also represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a considerable amount of much-needed, genuinely affordable housing for local people. You can even take a virtual tour of the site. Please get your comments in soon so all voices are heard.
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Want to get your music heard?
Calling all young musicians of Islington! We want to hear your music and broadcast it as part of our #DoYouMakeMusic IG Live Lockdown Session. Upload your track or song by Sunday, 12 July and it could be chosen to be played in our IG Live event hosted by Jermain Jackman on Friday, 17 July! Whatever your style, we want to see what music you’ve been making during lockdown.
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Your Community
Recycle right
Deciding what to eat can be a challenge, but knowing what to recycle isn’t. Plastic bottles and trays? Yes. Polystyrene? No. Find out more about what plastics go in your recycling bin and how you can help create a more sustainable future.
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Free summer fun
Islington’s Heatwave summer activities programme is definitely on, offering a range of activities for children and young people of all ages in July and August. Some activities are taking place online and others socially distanced, to keep everybody as safe as possible due to the coronavirus situation.
The programme is changing all the time, so please check out our webpage for the latest information.
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Support the Islington Giving Crisis Fund
The Islington Giving Crisis Fund is a lifeline for residents at the moment. Every penny you donate is allocated quickly, so around 30 trusted local organisations can help our communities through the pandemic. But funds are running low and residents still need support. If you can, please donate to the Islington Giving Crisis Fund so they can carry on helping our community.
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Plastic Free July
In the UK alone, around 1,152,000 plastic bottles a day end up in landfill or as litter. This Plastic Free July, it’s so important to ditch the plastic by taking up the plastic-free challenge.
Small changes like using a reusable water bottle can not only save the planet but also save you around £100 a year by simply buying one less single-use plastic bottle a week. Wise up to Waste have seven simple ways for you to break the plastic cycle.
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