Your local magazine from Islington Council • April 2020
If you are struggling because of Coronavirus, We are Islington is here to help 020 7527 8222
فيروس كورونا ابقوا في البيت أنقذوا األرواح فيروس كورونا ابقوا في البيت أنقذوا األرواح حكومة جاللتها
CORONAVIRUS STAY AT HOME SAVE LIVES
يمكن أن ينتقل فيروس كورونا عن طريق أي شخص.
األسباب الوحيدة لمغادرة البيت:
لشراء الحاجات الضرورية أو جلب الدواء
الذهاب للعمل عندما يستحيل العمل من المنزل
Anyone can spread Coronavirus.
للقيام بتمارين رياضية مرة واحدة في اليوم ,بمفردك أو مع أهل بيتك
The only reasons to leave home are:
فيروسوال حتى ينتقلمع الغير أنتجتمع يمكن ال أواألقاربشخص. األصدقاءطريق أي كورونا عن
To shop for basic necessities or pick up medicine
األسباب الوحيدة لمغادرة البيت:
To travel to work when you absolutely cannot work from home
لشراء الحاجات الضرورية أو جلب الدواء الذهاب للعمل عندما يستحيل العمل من المنزل
To exercise once a day, alone or with members of your household
للقيام بتمارين رياضية مرة واحدة في اليوم ,بمفردك أو مع أهل بيتك
Do not meet others, even friends or family
ال تجتمع مع الغير وال حتى األصدقاء أواألقارب
فيروس كورونا ابقوا في المنزل
احموا
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خدمات الصحة الوطنية
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أنقذوا األرواح
2020.03.24 A4_Poster
25/03/2020 11:00
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فيروس كورونا ابقوا في المنزل
احموا
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خدمات الصحة الوطنية أنقذوا األرواح
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ের�োনোভোই�োস বোসোয় েোেুন জীবন বোঁ চোন যে যেউ ের�োনোভোই�োস ছড়োরে পোর�। বোসো যেরে বোইর� যবর�োরনো� শুধুমোত্র েো�ণগুর�ো হ�: ম�ৌলিক লিলিসপত্রের মকিাকাটা করত্ে বা ওষুধ আিত্ে ম কবি মসই পলরলথিলেত্ে কাত্ি যাওয়া-আসা করা মযখাত্ি আপিার িি্য বাসা মেত্ক কাি করা এত্কবাত্রই অসম্ভব ল িত্ি একবার, একিা বা আপিার পলরবাত্রর অি্যাি্য সিস্যত্ির সত্গে ব্যায়া� করার িি্য অ ি্যাি্য মিাত্কর সত্গে মিখা করত্বি িা, বন্ু ত্ির অেবা পলরবাত্রর সত্গেও িা।
April 2020
03
Welcome
Cllr Richard Watts Leader of the Council
View this and previous issues online at issuu.com/islingtonlifemag
We are living in unprecedented times, and while the last few weeks have undoubtedly been among the most challenging this generation has ever faced, I’ve never been prouder of our community here in Islington.
Islington Council is reducing Council Tax bills for 2020/21 for 18,000 households on our Council Tax Support Scheme, and other residents are able to apply for financial support by calling the We Are Islington helpline.
I want to thank residents, community groups and businesses across the borough for the way they have selflessly stepped forward to help others.
We are also supporting our fantastic local businesses by distributing Government grants of £10,000 and £25,000 to those eligible, and by using our Rate Relief Scheme to pay 100% of business rates for the coming year for all local retail, hospitality and leisure businesses.
We are facing the biggest national crisis since the Second World War, and it’s crucial we all do our bit to limit the spread of coronavirus. The most basic, straightforward but important thing you can do to help others, save lives and protect the NHS is to stay at home. 000 00000 0000
Be the first to hear about the latest news. Visit islingtonlife.london Follow us on Twitter @IslingtonLife and @IslingtonBC for council news
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You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram. Search for IslingtonLife
Other formats If you would like IslingtonLife in large print, audiotape or another format, please call 020 7527 1855
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We know that these are uncertain and troubling times, and that is why Islington Council is here to help. If you or someone you know needs support – whether it be with getting food or medicine, or just having a friendly conversation – the We Are Islington helpline is on hand at 020 7527 8222 or by emailing weareislington@islington.gov.uk
This is a really challenging time for us all but we will get through it, by sticking together, staying at home, continuing to follow the NHS guidance, and looking out for each other. You will see that the back cover of this edition is a poster that you can put in your window to show our gratitude to the key workers fighting to protect us all. Thank you for playing your part by staying home.
Recycle me! Please recycle this magazine once you’ve finished with it.
Get all the latest news and information from Islington Council direct to your inbox at www.islington.gov.uk/stayupdated
Get the latest info at www.islington .gov.uk/ coronavirus
islingtonlife.london
IslingtonLife
04
Changes to services
Providing vital services The council is continuing to deliver the most vital services. But in order to keep residents and staff safe, we have had to make these changes: Adult day centres
Parking
The Alsen Day Centre, Highbury New Park Day Centre, Islington Outlook and Daylight Islington adult day centres are closed.
Islington has a very limited amount of parking spaces. The NHS and other organisations have been issued permits allowing key worker staff to use residential parking bays. If you are a key worker but unable to obtain a permit from your employer email a letter with an organisational letter head confirming your keyworker status to keyworkersparking@islington.gov.uk.
Contact Centre The contact centre at 222 Upper St is open only for emergency cases. You can still phone us on 020 7527 2000.
Leisure centres Leisure centres are currently closed until further notice.
People dropping off vital supplies to vulnerable residents can park for up to 10-minutes free in a residential bay while they do this.
Libraries
Registrars
Libraries and Islington Museum are closed until further notice. You can get a range of e-books, e-audio, e-newspapers and e-magazines online free, check the council website.
Islington Register Office is closed for all services, other than registering a death by phone. If you need to make
a booking, please do so via the council website.
Rubbish and recycling Collections are continuing as normal, but bulky waste collections have been suspended. The Hornsey Street Reuse and Recycling Centre is closed, as are textile banks. Please dispose of your rubbish and recycling safely and responsibly. You can do most things online so please go to www.islington. gov.uk first and phone only if you really need to speak to someone. Thanks to schools, early years and other children’s services who are still providing vital services for children of key workers and vulnerable residents.
Markets All street markets are closed, but will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
Parks Parks are open for exercise only, and you can help keep them open by continuing to observe guidance on social distancing.
Check the latest changes to council services at www.islington.gov.uk/coronavirus
April 2020
05
Stay safe and healthy
Shielding advice The Council is working hard to support all residents, especially those who are shielding. If you’ve received a letter saying you should be shielding and you need help to
get food and medicine, you need to sign up to the government scheme or call the We are Islington helpline with your NHS number on 020 7527 8222.
Looking after your mental health These are stressful times. Here are some tips to help.
#StayHomeSaveLives We can all do our bit to slow the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives. Here’s how you can help: Staying at home saves lives, so only leave your home to shop for necessities, to exercise once a day, or to travel to and from work – but only if you absolutely can’t work at home. How far How farisis22metres? metres? 2m
Practice good self-care
Keep to your normal basic routines, and if you have more spare time than usual, try new activities. Are there books you always wanted to read, films you want to watch or recipes you haven’t tried?
Take care of your body
Looking after your physical health will help with the mental side, so eating healthily, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep can really help boost your mood.
Get support
Local psychology service, iCope, can provide support and practical advice on managing Covid-19 related worries. Visit their website www.icope.nhs.uk
Keep in touch with others
Become more socially connected. Although we have to physically distance from others, networking sites like FaceTime, Skype and Zoom can help you feel a little closer to family, friends and colleagues.
Go to www.islington.gov.uk/coronavirus for local support.
Domestic abuse support
2m
If you need help, contact Solace on 020 3795 5070 or email advocacy@ solacewomensaid.org. If you are a council tenant, housing officers can help, call 020 7527 5300. Call 999 if you are in immediate danger.
If you do go outside, keep your distance by staying at least 2 metres, at least six feet, away from others. And remember to wash your hands when you get home. You must not spend time with anyone outside your household, including family and friends who you don’t live with. If you develop a cough or a temperature, you should self-isolate for seven days or until your symptoms pass. Anyone you live with should self-isolate for 14 days from the day you first developed symptoms. And don’t forget, wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds! See www.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.
islingtonlife.london
WE ARE Islington Are you struggling because of Coronavirus (COVID-19)? We are Islington is here to help you Get in touch
If you or someone you know needs support, then help is available. Islington Council, voluntary sector and mutual aid groups are working together to provide support. This could include help with getting food or medicine, online group activities, legal advice or a friendly conversation. You can contact organisations directly or call the We are Islington helpline on 020 7527 8222. You can also email weareislington@islington.gov.uk Minicom: 020 7527 1900 We will be open every day from 9am to 5pm. Remember you can keep up with local news, link to public health advice and sign up to our ebulletins at www.islington.gov.uk/coronavirus A big thank you to all the residents, volunteers and charities across Islington who are rallying round to support their community. We are Islington.
Can you help someone who is struggling? There are lots of ways to help, including volunteering with local community groups. Charities in the borough also need assistance. If you/your business want to help please approach a local group or check out www.islington.gov.uk/findvolunteering for details of the latest volunteering opportunities. Please ensure that any organisation that you help gives you advice on how to keep yourself and others safe.
Can you donate to help someone who is struggling? If you are able to, please give to the Islington Giving Crisis Fund. Every penny you give to this fund will go to people who are isolated, anxious and in most need of financial support through this crisis. www.islingtongiving.org.uk
April 2020
07
We are Islington
Working together Islington to tackle the crisis Giving crisis fund Thousands of people across Islington have contacted the We are Islington helpline to ask for help since the Coronavirus lockdown began. Volunteers at St Luke’s Community Centre
Islington Council, voluntary sector and mutual aid groups are working together to provide support for callers to the helpline. This includes help with getting food or medicine, online group activities, legal advice or a friendly phone conversation. It is great to see so many examples of the community coming together. Steve Chamberlain, part of the council team that is delivering medicines and food to residents who are unable to leave their homes, said: “We all need to pull together to help those that really need it. It makes me feel good to be part of such a responsive team.” Community organisations are also
supporting vulnerable residents. St Luke’s Community Centre is delivering daily hot meals and organised a one-off delivery of 100 food parcels to vulnerable residents living locally. And Sunnyside Community Gardens is spreading cheer with its #gardeninyourflat project, delivering plants for free to residents on the Elthorne Estate. Thank you to everyone for doing their bit #WeAreIslington If you have a story of kindness that you would like to tell us about, email islingtonlife@islington. gov.uk
People across Islington have shown their generosity and community spirit as donations to Islington Giving’s Covid-19 Crisis Fund have already topped £200,000. The fund, launched by Islington Giving together with Islington Council and local partners, provides financial help to the most vulnerable people in the borough during the Coronavirus outbreak. If you can make a donation, please visit www.islingtongiving.org.uk
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We are Islington
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Staying home Saving lives