Resident Services Directory

As the days get colder, it is important to think about ways you can keep well over the winter months.

Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications. It also means diseases spread more easily as we spend more time indoors.

Keeping warm and well over the winter can help to prevent colds, Covid-19, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

This is especially important for people who may need a little more support over the winter months due to the effects of the cold weather. This could include; people who are 65 or older, or those who have an ongoing health condition such as heart or kidney disease, COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma or diabetes.

We know that the cost of living crisis is making it harder for people to stay healthy as things like heating, food and everyday essentials have become more expensive.

The good news is there are lots of ways you can keep well over winter, and lots of support out there to help you do this.

In this booklet, you will find information and advice on how to look after yourself and others this winter, and details of some of the services that are there to support you.

Stay warm

• Heat your home to a comfortable temperature. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom.
• Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.
• If you are struggling to heat your home, you can visit a local Warm Welcome Space. Find your nearest on the Warm Welcome website.

Check your medicines

• Make sure you have enough prescription medicines. Order repeat prescriptions in early as your pharmacy or GP practice may be closed for the holidays.
• Make sure the medication that you do have is still in date.
• Stock up on essential over-the-counter medications for common winter illnesses like coughs, colds, sore throats and general aches and pains. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

Get vaccinated

• You can get your free flu vaccination if you are aged 65 and over, pregnant or have certain long-term health conditions. You can also get your free Covid-19 vaccine if you are aged 75 and over or if you are immunosuppressed.
• Children can get a flu vaccine if they are aged 2 to 16, or aged 6 months to 17 years old with certain health conditions. It is important to make sure they are also up to date with their MMR vaccine and other childhood vaccinations.
• If you are aged 65 and over you can get the pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.
• If you are aged 75 to 79, you turned 80 on or after 1 September 2024, or you are pregnant, then you will be eligible for the RSV vaccine. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill.

Stay healthy

• Try to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting down during the day and keep active. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it’s something you enjoy and keeps you moving.
• Eating a healthy balanced diet can help you to feel your best and keep your energy levels up.
• Wear shoes with good grip when you go outside to avoid slips and falls on slippery or icy surfaces.

Stay connected

• Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family.
• Speak to someone if you’re feeling under the weather, and don’t be afraid to ask if you or they need any help.

Urgent GP appointments

If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical problem speak to your GP practice first. They have a Duty Doctor Service, available 8.00am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Phone your surgery and explain that you have an urgent problem. Reception will ask the nature of your problem and even if routine appointments are full can put you on the Duty Doctor list. The Duty Doctor will ring you back within 2 hours.

Outside of these hours, if you need urgent medical attention, but it is not life threatening, visit NHS 111 online or call 111 first.

Pharmacy

Your local pharmacist can offer advice as well as medication. Many pharmacies are open late and over the weekends and you do not need an appointment to see a professional. Some offer free delivery services, so check with your local pharmacy.

Mental health crisis support

If you are feeling overwhelmed or you are struggling with your mental health, you can call the mental health crisis line for free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Phone: 0800 073 0006

Mind in City and Hackney

Can provide mental health support through a range of services. For more information, visit the Mind website.

Phone: 020 8985 4239

City and Hackney Walk-in Crisis Café

Offers a welcome cuppa and a safe, supportive place for anyone struggling to cope. The café is open at The Raybould Centre in Homerton Row from 6pm to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 12pm to 4pm on weekends.

Phone: 07393 762 366

Your nearest Samaritans

The Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone in distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. They offer a confidential and non-judgemental listening service. Visit their walk-in centre at 46 Marshall Street, London open every day from 9am to 9pm, or ring for free, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Phone: 116 123

Talk changes

Provides support for many common mental health concerns such as anxiety, stress, phobias, bereavement and depression. Email the Talking Therapy team. 

Phone: 020 7683 4278

Befriending service

Community Befrienders volunteers offer a crucial lifeline and confidence boost to people who are lonely or socially isolated in Hackney and the City. For more information, visit the Volunteer Centre Hackney website.

Phone: 0207 241 4443

Age UK City of London

Provides a range of support and advice for older people as well as befriending services, activities and events. For more information visit the Age UK website.

Help with cost of living

If you are worried about money and bills, make sure you are getting the help and support that is available to you. Visit our Cost of Living webpage.

City Advice

City Advice advisors offer a confidential and impartial service for residents of the City of London. Visit our City Advice webpage. 

Support for carers

If you’re a carer, there may be support available for you. Visit our Carers webpage. 

Lower your energy bills

The Seasonal Health Intervention Network (SHINE) is a free service that helps low-income people to reduce energy bills. Visit the SHINE London website, or call 0800 953 1221 for more information.

Flu and Covid-19 can be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter when we are crowded together inside. If you are eligible, getting vaccinated against flu and Covid-19 will provide protection for you and those around you. It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or Covid-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses can change each year.

Who is eligible?

Flu vaccine

• All adults aged 65 and over
• People with certain long-term health conditions
• People who are pregnant
• People who live in a care home
• People who receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person
• People who live with someone who has a weakened immune system
• Children aged 2 to 16, or aged 6 months to 17 years old with certain health conditions.
• Frontline health and social care

Visit the NHS website to find out more about flu vaccines.

Covid-19 vaccine

• All adults aged 75 and over
• Residents living in a care home for older adults
• People aged 6 months and over who are immuno suppressed

Visit the NHS website to find out more about Covid-19 vaccines.

RSV vaccine

• Adults aged 75 to 79
• Adults who turned 80 on or after 1 September 2024
• Women and people who are pregnant (from 28 weeks)

All residents are encouraged to report any problems through the 'Report a Problem' App.

Each year, the Air Quality team holds a number of community engagement programmes and engagement events aimed at the residential, school and business communities.

They work with residents and community groups in the Square Mile to raise awareness and understanding around the topic of air quality, including how to best reduce your exposure to air pollution and contribute to reducing your personal pollution emissions.

Visit the CityAir Community webpage or contact the Air Quality Team if you're interested in an air quality talk, workshop or monitoring programme for your community group.

The City Gardens team is responsible for green space management of around 170 sites which includes parks, gardens, churchyards, plazas and highway planting as well as 1400 trees in the Square Mile. 

Find out more about our gardens and what's on in our green spaces on our City Gardens webpage.

Volunteering in City Gardens

Volunteering with City Gardens is fun, a great way to connect with each other, with your local communities and discover new places. We value our volunteers, and, in return of your time, we offer a high quality, impactful and memorable volunteering experience. 

Becoming a volunteer you get a unique chance to get involved with these pockets of green spaces, develop skills and learn about the environment. Find out more on our Volunteer with City Gardens webpage. 

If you have an enquiry about street cleansing, waste and recycling services or City Gardens, call: 020 7606 3030, this is a24 hour line and diverts through to the weighbridge out of hours. You can also report an issue online using the Contact the City portal. 

You can report issues such as a missed bin collection, excessive litter or fly tipping using our online fault reporting form, or via the Contact Centre on 020 7606 3030. We will respond within 24 hours.

These guides on our website aim to help you understand what steps you can take from your home and with your community to take on climate action and help reduce greenhouse emissions.

If you have any questions relating to temporary works taking place on the highway, call 020 7332 3553 from 9am to 5pmMonday to Friday. Find out about road closures on our Road closures webpage. 

To report a fault (pothole, carriageway, pavement damage, loose broken paving and kerbs, damaged covers of fire hydrants, subway pipes, vents and utilities, street lighting, lifebelt damaged or missing, street furniture defects such as bollards, signs or benches), on the Highways fault reporting webpage or call 020 7606 3030 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

To report on a red route or with traffic lights, call: 0343 222 1234 or visit the Streetcare TfL website. 

If you would like advice or assistance with an application or licence please contact the licensing team by phone on 0207332 3406 or email the Licensing team.

The City of London Safer City Partnership (SCP) has access to expertise and materials that could assist licensees with various challenges including crime prevention, drug related problems and helping customers to be more aware of their personal safety and crime issues. Call 020 7332 3808 or email the Safer City team. 

If you are in the Square Mile and being disturbed by noise now call 020 7606 3030. This is a 24-hour service available every day of the year.

Noise is part of the everyday City of London experience. It is an inevitable consequence of the density of development, the intensity of activity and the sometimes conflicting needs of different communities in such a small area.

Excessive noise can affect the quality of life and even health of residents and workers, as well as interfere with businesses activity. If you are suffering from excessive noise in the City of London we can help with a noise complaint, advice and investigation.

The Pollution Control Team will respond to and investigate most complaints of noise or requests for advice including those related to construction sites, street works, bars and clubs, building plant, air conditioning, servicing of commercial premises, audible intruder and vehicle alarms.​

For parking related enquiries visit the Parking section of our website, call 020 7332 3366 or email the Car Parks team.

For enquiries relating to transportation, public realm or road danger reduction, email policy.projects@cityoflondon.gov.uk.

Find out more about highway winter maintenance on our winter maintenance webpage.

Visit the household waste and recycling section of our website for information on recycling and bin collection.

If you need to report a missed collection for your general waste, recycling or food waste recycling, please get in touch with the Contact Centre on 020 7606 3110 or log the missed collection online via the Online Service Enquiry Form. Please put “missed collection” as the enquiry.

Recycling and general waste are collected Monday to Saturday.
Food waste recycling is collected Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Please note that there are no collections on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Food waste

The household food waste recycling service is currently being rolled out across the City. If your property has not yet received its new service, please be assured we are working to implement this as soon as possible.

Textiles

Our textiles recycling bins have been temporarily removed while we transition to a new recycling partner, TRAID. New bins will be in place from early December 2025. TRAID also offers free home collections, please look out for further details soon.

Upcoming ‘Give and Take Days’

• Saturday 18 April 2026, 10am - 3pm at Community Space 1, Portsoken Community Centre.

Visit our Recycling Events webpage for more dates.

The Adult Skills and Education Service works in partnership with community and voluntary organisations, schools, children's centres and libraries to offer training and education to adults living in the City of London.

The Adult Social Care Team provides advice, information and care services to City residents over the age of 18 with community care needs such as: learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health difficulties, sensory impairment, longstanding illness, age-related conditions.

Contact 020 7332 1224 or email the Adult Social Care team.

Age UK work with older people in the Square Mile. Join an Age UK digital drop-in, come along with your mobile, tablet or laptop and learn how to use them better:

• Portsoken Community Centre: Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, 2-4pm
• Shoe Lane Library: Third Tuesday of the month, 2-4pm
• Barbican Library: Every Tuesday 5:30 - 7pm

Barbican and Community Libraries is the name for the City of London's public lending libraries. They are free to join to anybody who lives, works or studies or is a regular visitor to the City of London. Membership entitles you to borrow items and to access online resources at all of our libraries:

• Artizan Street Library and Community Centre, 1 Artizan Street, E1 7AF
• Barbican Library (including Barbican Music Library and Barbican Children’s Library), Level 2, Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS
• Shoe Lane Library, 1 Hill House, Little New Street, EC4A 3J

For residents of the Barbican Estate, please direct all general enquiries to the Barbican Estate Office, by phone 0207 029 3958, or email the Barbican team.

For repairs on the estate call 0207 029 3909 or email the Repairs Service Desk.

For out of hours service, contact your Estate Concierge/Lobby Porter on 020 7029 3953.

Do you provide unpaid help and support to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help, due to age, physical or mental health issues, substance misuse or disability? If you answered 'yes', then you are a carer and there may be support available for you.

Helping people manage everyday problems.

City Advice advisors offer a confidential and impartial service for residents of the City of London, and are qualified to advise on:

• Consumer and employment rights
• Welfare benefits
• Debt
• Housing and legal issues
• Relationships
• Health and wellbeing

The level of help will depend on your enquiry and the type of advice and help you need. A detailed assessment of the problem will give City Advisors a better understanding of the situation and will be able to offer tailor made advice. You can then decide if you prefer to take action yourself or let City Advice act on your behalf.

How to contact City Advice

Residents of the City of London can access the service:

Online: www.toynbeehall.org.uk/cityadvice

By phone: 0800 808 5853, 8am–8pm, seven days a week

Or by arranging an in-person appointment at a convenient local venue

• Text 07432 658 083
• Email City Advice

To be able to use this service, you must live in the Square Mile.

The City Corporation manages two housing estates in the Square Mile:

• Golden Lane Estate
• Middlesex Street Estate

We also manage 10 other estates situated in six different London boroughs. :

Services available to residents on these estates can be found on the housing services section of our website.

Please contact the Children and Families team if you have any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person who lives in the City of London:

• Call 020 7332 3621 - Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm only.
• Call 020 8356 2710 - at all other times, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Email the Children and Families team directly

Are you new to the City and searching for a school, or know a family in need of school placements? The City of London Education and Early Years Service supports families with the school admissions process and ensure every child has access to quality education. 

Offering free and impartial information about local services and events available to children, young people and families living and working in the Square Mile.

The Family Information Service (FIS) hosts our Best Start Family Hub – an easy place online to find information on support and services for children and young people aged 0-19 and their families in the City of London. You can also access information on support for children and young people with special educational needs (SEND) and care leavers up to the age of 25.

You can call the team on 020 7332 1002.

Our Best Start Family Hub Network

The network brings together services for children and young people aged 0-19, or 25 for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families.

It provides an online space alongside services and support delivered at community settings across the City of London’s Square Mile.

Find out more on the Best Start Family Hub webpage.

Contact by emailing the Best Start Family Hub team, or call 020 3838 1420.

The City Corporation works in partnership with Fusion Lifestyle, an experienced sports and leisure organisation, to deliver sport and physical activity at Golden Lane Leisure Centre in the Square Mile.

As a registered charity, Fusion continually reinvests to improve and develop what's on offer in the community and specialises in delivering state of the art facilities and high quality services

Visit the Benefits section of our website for information on claiming benefits, Universal Credit and support schemes available, including how to contact the Benefits team.

You can apply for social housing managed by the City of London Corporation through our Housing Register, but you must have a City of London connection in order to apply.

The Housing Needs Team offer advice on housing options available to you based on your individual circumstances. Contact the Housing Needs Team or on 0207 332 1237/1654.

The SEND Local Offer outlines the services and information relevant for children and young people up to 25 years old who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), providing accessible information about services available in the area.

Our drop in youth sessions are somewhere for young people to relax in a safe and friendly environment staffed by qualified youth workers. Our providers, Society Links and Prospects, deliver activities for young people from six to 19 years old (up to25 years old for young people with SEND) in the City of London.

Wednesdays 2.30 - 4.30 pm at Artizan Street Library and Community Centre

These free sessions offer various creative activities such as crafts, drawing, painting, gallery visits, followed by refreshment. Book your place by emailing the project team.

Find out more about the Active Mindset Project on their website.

Golden Social

Mondays 2.15-4pm at Golden Lane Community Centre

Coffee afternoon featuring weekly board games, regular visiting speakers, and on the last Monday of each month, a feature film. Open to anyone aged 55+.

'Knit and Natter'

Fortnightly on a Wednesday 2-4pm in Artizan Library

Textile crafts session for keen knitters, crocheters, stitchers, and those who want to learn a new skill.

Mansell Street Women's Group

First Wednesday of each month, 3-5pm in Iveagh Community Room, Mansell Street Estate

Monthly social meet-up with activities ranging from cooking and craft to massage, and a focus on holistic wellbeing. Open to Bengali-speaking women aged 45+ who live, work or study in the Square.

Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Square Mile

Walks meet at a variety of historic locations in and around the Square Mile.

Short health walks around the City and central London, for a range of abilities. Weekly Tuesday 'very gentle' walk from 10.30-11.30am, meeting at Giddy Up Coffee in Fortune Street Park and ending with tea and coffee. Monthly walks on a Saturday, Sunday, and Thursday - visit the Ramblers website for details.  Open to anyone aged 55+

Zumba

Mondays 10.30-11.30am at Portsoken Community Centre

For women aged 45+

Movement to Music Exercise Class

Wednesdays 4-5pm at Portsoken Community Centre

For women aged 55+

Tai Chi

Fridays 2.15-3.15pm at Golden Lane Community Centre

For anyone aged 55+

Digital Support

1:1 Appointments

First and third Tuesdays 2-4pm at Golden Lane Community Centre

Help getting on line and using your phone, laptop, or tablet computer, home visits also available on request for those who would find it difficult to attend. Open to City residents aged 55+, for appointments contact the Digital Inclusion team at AGE UK by email.

Digital Support Drop-In

Second and fourth Tuesdays 2-4pm at Portsoken Community Centre

Tuesdays 5.30-7pm at Barbican Library

Help getting online and using your phone, laptop, or tablet computer, open to City residents aged 55+

Trips, museum and gallery visits

At least once per month, days vary. Venues range from V&A and Saatchi Gallery to Kew Gardens and much more. Open to people aged 55+ who live, work, volunteer or study in the Square Mile.

Balance & Strength Class for Older Adults 55+

Tuesdays from 10.45am -11.45am in Golden Lane Community Centre

Stay active, strong, and balanced! Join our exercise class for older adults in the City of London, led by a qualified instructor. Just show up or contact the Staying Steady team by email or phone 0330 380 1013.

Balance & Strength Class for Older Women

Thursdays from 10.45am - 11.45am at Portsoken Community Centre

Stay active, strong, and balanced! Join our exercise class for older women in the City of London, led by a qualified instructor. Just show up or contact the Staying Steady team by email or phone 0330 380 1013.

City Dudes Exercise & Social Group

Thursdays from 12 - 1.45pm at Portsoken Community Centre

Exercise class and social group for older male City of London residents, led by a qualified instructor. Participants are invited to stay after class and socialise with refreshments, building connections, friendships and links in their community. Support and signposting is also available from our support and advice workers. For enquiries contact Vicky (Wednesdays - Fridays by email or phone 07957 432 098. 

Every Wednesday 6.15-7.30pm at Golden Lane Leisure Centre

Are you a disabled adult who wants to swim or be active in the water? Join the Barbican Disability Swim Club, and get the support you need. 

Tuesdays 2:45 - 4pm at Barbican Library

Meet new friends for refreshments and great conversation, we organise visits to places of interest, and have people of interest visit us!

Contact Vivienne by phone 020 7638 8490 or Tony by email or phone 07503 544062

For details of all events, visit the Bishopsgate Institute website. For any enquiries contact the Bishopsgate team by email.

From Buggery to Blasphemy: Gay News Revisited by Bob Workman and Keith Howes

24 September, 7 - 9pm at Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH

Relive the grandeur that was Gay News with two of the legendary newspaper’s key staff members. Together, photographer Bob Workman and journalist Keith Howes explored London and much of Britain, pushing open the closet door and shining light into the darkness of the dangerously exhilarating queer world of the 70s and early 80s.Join Bob and Keith for an unmissable evening of grit, glamour and gossip, flowing with stunning images and candid anecdotes to recreate the pair’s unique contribution to building community, as well as close encounters with people like Rudolf Nureyev, Divine, Simon Callow, Andy Warhol and Dame Edna Everage.Bob and Keith are back. For one night only. And only at Bishopsgate Institute.

Archive Tour - LGBTQIA+ Collections

31 October, 20 November and 11 December, 6:30 - 8pm, Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH

Why was John Gielgud told to see a doctor? How many lesbian pulp fiction novels can one library hold? We are a treasure trove of LGBTQIA+ history with extensive archives holding cuttings, badges, and banners – and even a set of wizard’s robes. By the end of this tour, you’ll know all about them.

Archive Tour - General Collections

6 Nocember 6:30 - 8pm, Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH

Bishopsgate Institute has provided access to its amazing Special Collections and Archives since opening in 1895 and is now home to incredible collections on London, activist, LGBTQ+ and other histories. Join Archives Manager Stef Dickers to hear stories of rampantly collecting Librarians, revolutionary minute books, Suffragettes, a Vicar's naughty scrapbooks and rather revelatory diaries from the 1950s.

Walk in, dance out: Day of taster classes for complete beginners

25 October 9:30am - 5pm, Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4QH

One ticket buys you 14 hours of taster classes in one day to choose from - you might have walked in, but you will definitely dance out. We're offering another day of partner and social dance classes, designed for adult complete beginners, after the amazing success of Let's Dance! in March. You don't need a partner as everyone will dance with everyone in these classes. Once again, we've teamed up with Stardance (Nick Miles), the Pink Jukebox, Swing Patrol, Queer Salsa and Queer Tango London to welcome you to the dancefloor and to guide you to take those first steps. Classes will start on the hour and run for an hour each, and there will be two options every hour (two rooms, each offering a different style). 

Mondays 6-7pm from 13 October at Artizan Street Library

We are a charity led by social workers and trauma informed dance artists and support young people through dance. We hold weekly dance workshops for young people aged 6-11 year olds where they learn different styles of dance and have opportunities to attend many performances and social events. To sign up, contact Debby or the Early Years Service. 

Thursdays 1-3pm and Fridays 5-7pm at Artizan Street Library and Community Centre

Good food at low cost – helping reduce food waste. Join Family Action’s weekly FOOD Club in Aldgate for just £1 a year. Members can buy a weekly food box worth £15 for only £4. Open to anyone living or working in the City of London.

To book your place by email Family Action.

Tuesday - Sundays at 12:15and 13:15pm from Guildhall Art Gallery.

Learn about the gallery’s collection on a free tour led by a City of London Guide. There's no need to book - just turn up on the day.

Fortnightly on Wednesdays at Shoe Lane Library

Dragon Café in the City is a pop-up event every two weeks. An eclectic pick & mix of free, creative & other workshops designed to help support wellbeing and good mental health. Free and open to all in the City of London and beyond.

Revealing the Medieval Jewish Cemetery 

Until 16 September, 10am - 5pm at St Giles Cripplegate, Fore Street, EC2Y 8DA

Discover the history of England’s first Jewish community through stories, rare artifacts and an immersive installation adjacent to the historic site. From September 5 to 16 you’re invited to explore a new exhibition and installation at St Giles’ Cripplegate - the ancient church in the Barbican adjacent to the site of the burial ground - bringing the medieval Jewish cemetery and its stories back to life. Visit during opening hours to discover the history of England’s first Jewish community through stories, rare artifacts and an immersive installation. We also welcome organised groups.

Contact the Jewish Square Mile team by email.

Teddy Bears Picnic 

14 September, 2:30 - 5pm at St Giles Cripplegate, Fore Street, EC2Y 8DA

Send your teddy with their very own passport on a thrilling basket ride from the top of the Church Tower. Free family friendly afternoon with crafts, klezmer music and facepainting. Free - all children must be accompanied.

Contact the Jewish Square Mile team by email.

Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 5pm in London Museum Studios, First Floor, Studio Smithfield, 1 East Poultry Avenue, EC1A 9PT

Those who live, work, study, or run activities in the City of London or Islington can sign up to be a community partner, meaning you can book rooms for free – for meetings, workshops, films screenings, or whatever else you’d like to host!

Contact the team at London Museum Studios, or check out the space by booking an induction.

Bringing people together through music to uplift, connect, and create shared joy. Free, inclusive music and movement sessions designed to foster wellbeing and connection. Whether for unpaid carers or part of an intergenerational community group, these sessions use music to build bonds, encourage creativity, and celebrate shared experience as part of the Music Wellbeing Project.

Project 1 – Portsoken Community Centre

15 & 22 September, 3:30pm – 4:30pm at Portsoken Community Centre

For unpaid carers. 

Project 2 – Golden Lane Community Centre

3, 10 & 17 October, 11am – 12pm at Golden Lane Community Centre

For unpaid carers. 

Project 3 – Intergenerational Community Project

18, 25 September & 2, 9 October, 11am – 12pm at St Luke’s Community Centre, 90 Central Street, South Islington, London EC1V 8AJ

To register your interest or secure your place, email Alana. Early booking is advised due to limited spaces.

Sessions available weekdays between 10am and 6pm, with additional evening sessions on selected days.

The Running Charity offer support to 16–25-year olds facing or managing issues around mental health, housing insecurity or complex needs through running, personal development, and wellbeing sessions. Their trauma-informed approach improves mental health, confidence, and life chances.

Every Friday at the Aldgate Centre, Aldgate High Street, EC3N 1AB

Baby Buddies 10–11.45am

Baby Buddies is a weekly drop-in group providing a supportive space for pregnant women and mums and babies. This friendly peer-led group encourages listening, sharing experiences, taking care of baby and joining in on activities.

Let's Craft 10.30am–12pm

A creative space for people who are curious about getting hands on with crafting or who have crafting skills to share. Have a go, try something new and enjoy the process of making in a friendly group setting.

Community Table Lunch 12–2pm

A nutritious vegetarian lunch. Everyone is welcome and the lunch is free to all.

Coming soon: Recipes of Life

Cooking, sharing recipes and stories of important people, places, wisdoms and values, and designing community recipe books together

For more information, visit the Shoreditch Trust, We Connect in the City website, or email the Shoreditch Trust or call 020 7033 8500

You can also drop in to The Aldgate Centre on Fridays, or call any time Monday to Friday, to book a space on the wider programme of Coaching & Wellbeing support and for help to navigate services. 

Thursday 13 to Sunday 30 November,  11am to 6.30pm daily at St Giles’ Cripplegate EC2Y 8DA (opposite the Barbican Centre)

The Book Fair at St Giles’ Church returns in November with an eclectic mix of over 2,000 fiction and non-fiction books. Ending on Sunday 30th November with an Advent Fair including music, stalls, food, drinks & more.

Follow the St Giles Book Fair on Instagram to find out more.

Thames Lens Outdoor Exhibition

Until 30 September, North Bank Riverside Walkway Near Millennium Bridge, London EC4V 3QR

A month-long exhibition of Thames Lens 2025 Winners and Runner-ups! Thames Festival Trust’s annual Thames Lens photography competition provides an amazing opportunity for non-professional photographers to interpret the vibrant and multifaceted character of the River Thames in London. For more information contact the Thames Festival team by email or visit the Thames Lens Exhibition website.

River of Hope Exhibition

Until 26 September, 9am - 6pm, North Bank Riverside Walkway Near Millennium Bridge, London EC4V 3QR

Magnificent exhibition of artwork created by young people from five Newham secondary schools and a City of London primary school, inspired by their reflections of the river. For more information contact the Thames Festival team by email or visit the River of Hope website.

Community Befriending

Our Community Befriending team matches, trains and supports volunteers to provide companionship to isolated residents, either in person or over the phone.

If you are a Health Care professional and would like to refer someone to our service please complete the 'Refer a client' form, and we will get back to you. If you are a resident, and you feel that you or someone you know could benefit, please call the team 020 7241 4443 and ask for Bridget.

Or maybe you would like to volunteer to be a befriender? Timing is flexible to fit in with your schedule. All you need is an hour a week to check in with a vulnerable member of your community. We will match you with the right person, based on your interests, language and whether you like to meet in-person, or speak on the phone/online. We will provide training and support. For more information and to apply visit the volunteer section of the Community Befrienders website. 

Volunteering

Are you a charity looking for volunteers to help you deliver your services or in need of advice on recruiting and retaining volunteers?

Are you a City resident or employee interested in giving some time to support local causes?

Then look no further than Volunteer Centre Hackney! We are an accredited volunteer centre with nearly 30 years’ experience supporting organisations with all aspects of volunteering and helping individuals to find the perfect volunteer role. We can also support you to run your own local projects and activities whatever your passion or interest.

Find out more on the Volunteer Centre Hackney website, email the Volunteer Centre team or call 0207 241 4443 and ask to speak to Jane or Louis.