Islington Winter Appeal 💜

The Men’s Grub Club, run by Cook for Good is an organisation working to tackle food insecurity, barriers to work and social isolation on the Priory Green Estate.  The Men’s Grub Club is a programme for older men on the estate, particularly those who are retired, living alone, and socially isolated. They come together to learn cooking skills and gain confidence, including how to get the best out of using the pantry, how to batch cook, and how to eat healthily on a budget. At the end of every session, the participants eat the meal they have prepared together, providing a chance to socialise and get to know each other. The Grub Club is a project funded by our Golden Grant Makers panel last year. Who is accessing Cook for Good’s programmes? 84% are unemployed, retired or have ill health that prevents them from working 41% struggle to pay for food 65% report feeling isolated. “Making pies is not as difficult as I imagined. Thank you so much to Cook for Good for including me in this amazing course.” “The Grub Club is a group of older men coming together each month to put on a pinny and cook. It

Mother2Mother, run by Islington Mind, brings together isolated mothers and female caregivers caring for children or family with mental health problems. The project provides opportunities for women like Miriam to socialise, build networks and access specialist support. Miriam, 65, cares for a son with a severe mental health diagnosis. She was finding that her responsibilities were putting a big strain on her own health, both physically and mentally. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Miriam and her son shared a one-bedroom flat and one day Miriam had to be rushed to A&E due to health concerns. At that time, Miriam was attending a different carers group and was signposted to Mother2Mother. Miriam now attends Mother2Mother sessions regularly in person and values the time she has there, which is ‘just for her’ – the one day a week she can put herself first. Miriam enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of sharing tea, lunch and a chat in the informal setting where the group meets. It is in this safe space that Miriam felt able to talk about her son’s declining mental health, and the detrimental effect it was having on her. Miriam was offered specialist support to assess any risks, and she now feels

All Change is a cherished small charity that brings artists and communities together through authentic arts projects and experiences. The charity works to support diverse communities, helping individuals access opportunities and lead fulfilling lives. “We’re interested in redressing that balance and looking at who isn’t being seen, who isn’t being heard, and how can arts and culture enable those people to find a way to tell their stories and to be seen and to be celebrated.” ~ Suzanne Lee, Artistic Director The charity connects people through a blend of artforms including photography, poetry, theatre, and music, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and understanding. Artists and participants work together to build skills, confidence, and self-expression, sharing their stories, and even addressing tough subjects. Projects are co-developed with and tailored to the community, and support a wide range of participants, including young parents, older people, asylum seekers, refugees, and young women. Projects often evolve from previous ones, adapting to changing needs. For example, a programme for young mothers up to age 25 transitioned into one that also supports older mothers. The “All” in “All Change” refers to all people and all art forms. The change refers to the impact of their work and people