Here you can find all of the community events that are shared with us.
Some events may be open to registered clients only: please check the details and book your spot with the relevant people.
For organisations: if you would like to invite our community to an event, please email:
info@islingtoncentre.co.uk
August
Children’s area at Tollyrise Happiness Garden, St Mary’s Hornsey Rise
Dads Who Walk – Celebration event
This celebration brings together music from Gladdy Wax AKA Mr Vinyl Fingers; one of the UK’s most highly respected reggae selectors and sound system operators, plus world-renowned, London-based DJ collective The Tighten Up Crew featuring Mistah Brown, Tim P and Champian on the mic. Delicious Caribbean food will be on offer from Uptown Cuisine.
We’d love for you to join us, plus we’re calling out for volunteer event assistants aged 18+ to take on one of the following roles, covering briefing plus shift from 2-8.30pm on the day:
2 x Door Management & Signage Stewards
- help distribute event posters and flyers for wayfinding etc.
- welcome attendees and guests
- cross off attendee list upon their arrival
2 x Heritage Food Activity Facilitators
- interact with our audience and guests to discover their thoughts and points of view around food as a catalyst for cultural exchange and diversity, celebrating heritage
- lesson plan and activity guidelines to be shared in advance
2 x Evaluation Assistants
- help encourage attendees to provide feedback via our audience survey
2 x Photographers
- alongside our videographer, capture the vibes for us to share the celebration with our audiences and archive
- follow photo consent guidance and make sure not to disturb the flow, being respectful of the audience’s comfort
If you’d like to take up any of these roles to support the success, please email stories@unionchapel.org.uk – with ‘Reggae Volunteer’ in the email subject title and preferred position in the email body – by Mon 3 Aug.
July
Free English classes for Adults – from July to September
Location: Teaching House at OHC 24 Great Chapel Street London W1F 8FS
Class dates: 20 July – 11 September
Time: Monday to Friday, 12:45–2:45pm
How to register: Complete the registration form – https://forms.gle/pYNLzzPn5nHPkdu87 OR come to reception 15 minutes before the class starts so we can help find the classroom.
The classes are free as part of the Cambridge University Assessment CELTA course. While they are fun and friendly, they are also structured. They cover reading skills, listening comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary all with plenty of speaking and a communicative focus.
Free LinkedIn workshop
Your LinkedIn profile could be the difference between an employer finding you… or missing you completely.
Join our FREE LinkedIn & Professional Profile Workshop delivered by Clarion Futures Digital and learn how to build a profile that gets noticed, tells your story, and opens doors
Whether you’re job searching, returning to work, or just ready to take control of your professional image – this is for you.
Wednesday, 22 July
10:30am – 1:00pm
Spaces are limited – so please book early to avoid disappointment.
To book, please email: Info@arachne.org.uk or call: 0207 263 6261
Free AI for Beginners workshop
Date: Thursday 16 July
Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Location: Three Phone Shop, 8-9 Upper St, London, N1 0PQ
What to bring: Your smartphone
Would you like help understanding letters, filling in forms, writing emails, or learning how systems in the UK work?
Join our free AI for Beginners workshop and learn how to use ChatGPT as your own digital assistant. This practical session is designed for refugees and asylum seekers and uses simple English.
During the workshop, you will learn how to:
- Translate letters and documents
- Understand NHS, schools, benefits and other UK services
- Write emails and letters with confidence
- Use AI safely on your smartphone
- Ask questions by typing or speaking
The session is free, friendly, and hands-on. No previous experience is needed.
To book your place, contact James:
07747 269880
winningitjames@gmail.com
Big Day Out at Whittington Park
July 4th, from 12pm to 4pm
Expect live performances from local singers, stalls selling resident-made artwork, heaps of free, interactive activities for kids, adult-friendly craft workshops, circus skills, Arsenal in the Community, a dog stay and play, sensory activities for under 8’s, a bouncy castle and much more!
June
20 Week online Work Ready Programme
WHO CAN APPLY?
The program is designed to help refugee job seekers with B1 or B2 level of English learn work-related skills such as writing a CV, understanding job descriptions and using professional vocabulary successfully.
TO SIGN UP:
https://airtable.com/app6zvwMeWdhzQ3Fb/shrb5iRDtMKXDz7TR
ISLINGTON REFUGEE WEEK FAIR
Refugee Week is the world’s largest cultural festival. Islington is celebrating by offering a FREE FAIR for all Islington residents:
Tuesday 16th June, 11am to 3pm
The theme for Refugee Week is “Courage”. This theme honors the resilience and strength of those who have left their homes and their bravery to start again. It respects the everyday actions of individuals and communities who welcome those who seek sanctuary and who imagine and hope for new possibilities together.
FREE ENTRY – Reserve your spot here
Future Leaders – Refugee Week Exhibition & Launch
Refugee Week 2026 in Islington
Islington’s voluntary and community sector has come together as a Borough of Sanctuary to host an incredible week of events for Refugee Week 2026.
From community meals to film screenings and DJ and drumming workshops, all activities are open to both people seeking sanctuary and the general public.
You can browse the events here: Services for those seeking Sanctuary in Islington – new events are being added every day.
There is also a series of webinars and training sessions aimed at staff and volunteers working with refugees and asylum seekers. Scan the QR code below for more info, or visit the page:
https://www.plinth.org.uk/borough-of-sanctuary#/category/Events%20-%20Refugee%20Week
“YOUR STORY FESTIVAL OF SOCIAL CHANGE” PRIDE MONTH
PROTEST AND RECOGNITION IN QUEER ISLINGTON, 1970-2026 CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
Join exhibition co-curators Diana Puntar and Russell Perkins for a series of free creative workshops exploring queer histories of protest and visual activism.
Participants will create banners and zines inspired by archival materials from Islington’s Pride Archives.
Selected works will be included in the exhibition.
WORKSHOP DATES
Banner Making Workshop Wednesday 4 June, 5–8pm
Zine Making Workshop Monday 9 June, 5–8pm
LOCATION Cubitt Artists 8 Angel Mews London N1 9HH
FREE TO ATTEND. All materials provided. No prior experience necessary
EMAIL: stories@unionchapel.org.uk to SIGN UP
Mutual Aid Resources at Culpeper Community Garden
June 6th
Refugee Week Celebration Event
at Trampoline Cafe in Islington
June 18th, 5pm
Legal Empowerment Programme
at the Squire Patton Boggs London Offices
Gain legal knowledge with a workshop led by the representatives of the legal firm Squire Patton Boggs – please see details below.
Please book your spot with Izzie: 07459 245454
| Topic | When | Where |
| Understanding the English Legal System | 6th May (Wed), 2pm – 3.30pm | 60 London Wall, London EC2M 5TQ |
| Consumer Rights | 13th May (Wed), 2pm – 3.30pm | 60 London Wall, London EC2M 5TQ |
| Access to Education and Healthcare | 3rd June (Wed), 2pm – 3.30pm | 60 London Wall, London EC2M 5TQ |
| Housing Rights | 9th June (Tue), 2pm – 4pm | 60 London Wall, London EC2M 5TQ |
Gardening Sessions at Culpeper Community Garden
Thursdays, until July 16th
ESOL Reading Classes in Islington
Community Gardening in Islington and Newington Green
Asylum and Immigration Law Info Session
May
Service Directory for those Seeking Sanctuary in Islington
Please join for training to:
- Understand the benefits of the Service Directory
- Set up an account
- List your service(s) or event(s)
- Edit your service(s) or event(s)
Training can take anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour.
Following the training session, ongoing technical and content support is available.
To join a training session, please email Annette.Quinn@islington.gov.uk to request a link.
Please state which training session you wish to join.
Dates:
- Thursday 30th April: 14.00 – 15:00
- Friday 01 May: 9:00 – 10:00
- Monday 05 May: 15:00 – 16:00
- Wednesday 06 May: 11:00 – 12:00
- Monday 11 May: 14:00 – 15:00
- Wednesday 13 May: 10:00 – 11:00
- Tuesday 19 May: 14:00 – 15:00
- Wednesday 20 May: 10:00 – 11:00
- Tuesday 26 May: 11:00 – 12:00
- Thursday 28 May: 14:00 – 15:00
A community conversation on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Habesha community
Date: May 9th
Time: 2:00–5:00pm
Location: St Thomas the Apostle Church (Church Hall)
April
Join our Cooking Project Supper in Solidarity
on Thursday, April 30th
at Jean Stokes Community Centre
March
FREE art workshop for adult refugees, migrants and asylum seekers with Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration
Community Gardening in Islington and Newington Green
Free English Classes in Islington with EC London
Free Barista and English Classes in Islington with The Coffee Bean
Cross Street Open Doors Celebration
Saturday 14th March – 10.30am – 4.30pm – Cross Street, Islington, N1
February
Free Activities in Islington at Whittington Park Community Centre
Lunchtime Creative Writing Workshops: a 6-week creative writing course suitable for those who are new to writing or those who want to learn more. Starts Wednesday 18th February 1 – 2pm. More info here: Creative Writing Workshop in Islington
Mother and Baby Breathwork: a space to pause, reflect and connect. Monthly on Mondays. More info here: Mother & Baby Breathwork Circle
AI Skills for Refugees and Migrants
with our friend James (previously ScreenShare)!
On February 25th, from 2pm to 4pm, our friend James (who previously worked with ScreenShare and helped many of you at our Centre days on Wed/Thu), will lead a workshop on AI and how to use it!
Address: 8-9 Upper Street, N1 0PQ
Book your place, contact James: 07747 269 880
Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants 