ADVICE AND SUPPORT FOR RAISING CHILDREN IN ISLINGTON

By Nur Mohamed

Raising children in a bustling city like London can be both exciting and challenging. As a parent, it can be overwhelming to navigate the various resources and support available, especially in a densely populated area like Islington.

Find local playgroups: Playgroups are a great way to connect with other parents in your community and provide your children with an opportunity to socialise and play with other kids their age. In Islington, there are many playgroups available, such as Bright Start and Tufnell Park Playgroup. These playgroups provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to play and learn, while parents can connect and build relationships with other families in the area.

Access Healthcare Services: In Islington, there are many healthcare services available for parents and children, including the Islington Children's Services and the Whittington Health NHS Trust. These services offer a range of support, from parenting classes and advice to pediatric care and mental health services.

Take Advantage of Family-Friendly Activities: London is a city full of family-friendly activities and attractions, from parks and playgrounds to museums and galleries. In Islington, you can take your children to the Emirates Stadium Tour, the London Canal Museum, or the Islington Ecology Centre. These activities offer a fun and educational experience for the whole family to enjoy.

Get Involved in Community Events: Islington is home to many community events and activities that offer a great way to meet other families and connect with your community. For example, the Islington Summer Reading Challenge is an annual event that encourages children to read and visit the local library, while the Islington Children's Festival offers a range of workshops and performances for children of all ages.

Seek Professional Support: Parenting can be challenging, and it's important to seek professional support when needed. In Islington, there are many resources available, such as the Islington Parenting Support Service, which provides parenting classes, advice, and counselling. You can also seek support from private therapists, such as the Child and Family Practice or the Islington Therapy Centre.

Raising children in London can be a rewarding experience, but it's important to know where to find support and resources when you need them. By finding local playgroups, accessing healthcare services, taking advantage of family-friendly activities, getting involved in community events, and seeking professional support when needed, you can raise happy and healthy children in Islington. Remember, being a parent is not always easy, but with the right resources and support, you can navigate the challenges and enjoy the many rewards that come with parenthood.

Rafiki Wema in partnership with Al-Abrar and Galbur foundations 6 of June have launched a community studio in Islington borough of London. The studio is part of a larger community media and solutions journalism the organization is currently offering to ethnic minority communities.

The project which was officially launched by local councils from Islington and Haringey provides an authentic media platform to local communities, to present their ideas and views in the wider media sector. As it will also give training and media skills development opportunities to young people from these communities, who will be using the platform to gain community journalism and storytelling skills to cover issues that impact the lives of minority communities and the nation at large.

Cllr Bashir Ibrahm who had the first radio show in the studio said “Information is the most important tool we can use to transform our societies, and particularly in the politics, we either be part of the discussion or our communities or other people will do us without our involvement and participation” Generally, Our communities are influenced and shaped by complex interplay of different factors, both at individual and collective levels. At an individual level, our parents are our prime influencers from our early childhood years until early adulthood so too our older siblings, albeit to a lesser degree. Educational institutions have their share of influence upon us in the way we see and live at a later stage of lives in the society we are part and parcel of.

And this community Studio comes in to fill that void and to provide an alternative voice to challenge the narrative perpetuating the status quo. A community media studio plays a significant role in fostering