As they say, you can help this Community Centre with ONE minute of your time. No reason *not* to do it.

Overlaps, but doesn't totally clash with, our Wednesday Digital Drop-in at Mildmay Community Centre.

#SocialInclusion #Islington

Hardeep has started a new birthday trend. In future, everyone will celebrate their birthday by sending themselves a birthday card listing their major successes of the year - and making sure everyone else can read it too.

#SocialInclusion #DigitalInclusion #DigitalLiteracy

A colourful flyer featuring a photo of a woman DJ with her DJ equipment. The flyer text states: "Back by popular demand. Resident DJ - Lady M & DJ Phenomenon One. All Genre's Sound Clash. 6pm - 11pm Saturday 22 March 2025. Mildmay Community Centre, Woodville Rd, N16 8NA. Buy tickets from reception. £5 / £10 on the door."

Saturday evening for everyone within travel range of #NewingtonGreen - produced by staff & volunteers of #MildmayCommunityCentre -

BTW, DJ #LadyM is one of us - 50+, kept young in mind, soul and everything else, by music.

Sharing it here and now so you don't accidently miss it.

#DJGig #Islington

The Mercury Prize-winning rapper, writer, and actress from Islington uses her platform to address issues such as race, class, gender inequality, and mental health. Through her music, Little Simz challenges stereotypes and inspires young women-especially Black women - to be confident in their identities and fight for their voices to be heard.

Little Simz
Music & Social Change

#Islington #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Mena Mongan, an Irish Traveller woman, lives in Hackney and works as a Community Engagement Officer. She is passionate about challenging everyday discrimination against her community and empowering others to speak out for their rights. Mena is dedicated to advocating for equality, justice, and better opportunities for the Irish Traveller community.

Mena Mongan
Irish Traveller, Community Engagement Officer

#Hackney #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Linda Brown is a compassionate and kind-hearted individual who goes above and beyond to support both those who visit the centre and the residents in her neighbourhood. She is a strong, no-nonsense woman who fully commits to any cause she takes on, never doing anything halfway. Her unwavering dedication exemplifies what it means to genuinely care for and be passionate about one's local community.

Linda Brown
Conmunity Champion & Mildmay Legend

#Islington #InternationalWomen'sDay

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FKA Twigs, an artist and performer, who considers Hackney their spiritual home. Having received numerous awards, directed groundbreaking music videos and collaborated with musicians such as ASAP Rocky and Kylie Minogue; she is a visual storytelling, genre blending, dancing pioneer; and queer icon for many. Beyond her music, she uses her platform to challenge social norms and advocate for artistic freedom, encouraging women to express themselves with her fearlessness.

FKA Twigs
Music & Social Change

#Hackney #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Pauline Pearce gained national recognition as the "Hackney Heroine" during the 2011 London riots when she fearlessly confronted rioters. After her son was a victim of knife crime, she became an activist, supporting community cohesion, anti-violence initiatives, and youth engagement.

Pauline Pearce
Anti-Knife Crime & Community Activist

#Hackney #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Kathy Burke, a multifaceted actress and director, of Irish descent. is known for her fearless portrayals of strong, complex women in British film and television. She is an outspoken advocate for gender equality, using her platform to challenge the industry's stereotypes and raise awareness on issues surrounding mental health, body image, and inclusivity.

Kathy Burke
Actress & Director and Advocate

#Islington #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Tash Walker is a Hackney-based LGBTQ+ activist and co-chair of the Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline, which has provided lifesaving support for LGBTQ+ individuals since the 1970s. She works to highlight LGBTQ+ domestic abuse, homelessness, and mental health issues, ensuring that queer survivors of violence receive the support they need.

Tash Walker
LGBTQ+ Rights, Domestic & Sexual Violence Campaigner

#Hackney #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Blending her Arab heritage with a contemporary British voice, her poetry explores faith, culture, and the challenges faced by women of colour. Salma uses her platform to raise awareness of racism, gender inequality, and the marginalisation of women of colour. Beyond her poetry, she is an advocate for social justice and is deeply involved in community work, particularly supporting young women and empowering them to find their voice through creative expression.

Salma El-Wardany
Poet & writer

#Hackney #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Brooke Kinsella is a British actress and advocate who has become an outspoken voice against knife crime in the UK following the tragic death of her brother, Ben, who was fatally stabbed in 2008. Through her work with the Ben Kinsella Trust, she campaigns to raise awareness about the consequences of knife crime and works with young people to prevent violence. Her passion for creating a safer future for young people and her dedication to justice make her an inspiring figure.

Brooke Kinsella
Anti-Knife Crime Campaigner

#Islington #InternationalWomen'sDay

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As the first British-Turkish Cypriot woman in the House of Lords, Meral has been a strong advocate for women's rights, racial equality, and social justice. She has played a key role in championing policies that support marginalised communities and survivors of domestic abuse.

Merla Hussen-Ece
Women's Rights & Ethnic Minority Representation in Politics

#Islington #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Anna Scher, born to a Jewish father and Irish Catholic mother, founded the Anna Scher Theatre in 1968 in Islington. She created a community-driven platform for young people, helping them explore their creative potential and empowering them to overcome the challenges of their backgrounds. Scher's work has inspired generations of actors and helped young people from disadvantaged and diverse communities gain confidence, life skills, and a voice. Her theatre remains a significant example of using arts for social change and advocating for equality.

Anna Schwer
Theatre Director and Social Change Advocate

#Islington #InternationalWomen'sDay

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As the first Black woman to lead Islington Council, Kaya Comer-Schwartz is dedicated to improving housing, employment, and opportunities for young people. She has worked extensively in the charity sector, focusing on social justice and support for marginalised communities.

Kaya Comer-Schwartz
Council Leader, Social Justice & Youth Empowerment

#Islington #InternationalWomen'sDay

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Celebrating the Power of Local Women: Champions of Change in Our Communties. This International Women's Day, we are shining a light on the incredible women from our own communities in Islington and Hackney. These women, through their passion, resilience, and hard work, have defied the odds and made powerful contributions to society. From fighting for women's rights and challenging inequalities to supporting young people and tackling issues like knife crime and domestic abuse, these women are ordinary individuals who have achieved extraordinary things. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire others to connect with the women around them who are making a difference every day. These local champions remind us that every woman has the power to create change, challenge injustice, and make a lasting impact. Let their stories motivate us to continue building a future where every woman can thrive, be heard, and be celebrated.

International Women's Day - Inspirational Women of #Islington and #Hackney

Staff and volunteers of Mildmay Community Centre have made a wall display of 12 local women. We are publishing it here so more local people have a chance to see it.

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Two women holding Hardeep's card. On the left, an older Indian woman (Hardeep). On the right, an older African woman (Julie).

Hardeep and Julie with the International Women's Day card at Mildmay Community Centre.

#InternationalWomen'sDay #MildmayCommunityCentre

Message from Hardeep :-)

A banner with the words International Women's Day. Underneath - a colourful painting of a flower - with 8 petals labelled Power, Safety, You Are The Best, Savegirl, Future, Freedom, Right, Work.

Happy International Womens Day 2025

“I don't want to lose that fellowship” The Sharp End was an immensely successful health and wellbeing project for older people. It closed in 2023, leaving a massive hole in the lives of hundreds of users who depended on it.You can listen t...

Keeping Sharp - inspired by a group of former #SharpEnd regulars who were dismayed by the loss of community support and friendship - and determined to do something about it - in their own voices.

#SocialInclusion #OlderPeople #London #Wellbeing #Community #Podcast

blog.50pd.uk/2024/i-dont-...

Keeping Sharp Keeping Sharp, our new exercise programme for older people, has officially launched — and it’s off to an incredible start! Since our launch party on 27th January, we’ve had fantastic feedback from par...

Continuing the story of older people campaigning to restore the fellowship of the former #SharpEnd - our parent charity @mrsindependliving.bsky.social has found the necessary funding and set up a new program -

blog.50pd.uk/2025/keeping...

#SocialInclusion #OlderPeople #Wellbeing #London

Tricks that keep you hooked on your phone Ever wondered why you are always checking your phone? The BBC's James Reevell explains.

"The design tricks that get you hooked on your phone" - a useful addition to the #DigitalInclusion trainer repertoire. It's not about phone hardware. The 'design tricks' are the psychological tools used by commercial social media to keep consumers on their screen.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-4...

At least once each week, Hardeep does something that she can blog about - always a new social activity that converts strangers to acquaintances or better - and always involves visual creativity. We help only with the final and least important step - the blog post.

#DigitalInclusion #SocialInclusion

A young black man and three older women, sitting around a table with smartphones and flyers. They all seem very cheerful.

Simdi Onuora is Digital Inclusion Project Officer & Trainer at Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - www.homerton.nhs.uk

He now has a regular pitch at our Wednesday Digital Drop-in, training older people how to use the NHS App - a very popular addition to our service.

#NHS #DigitalInclusion

Two young women (Emma and Gaby, team volunteers) standing next to a much older African man (Mr J), who is seated.

Mr J has had an eventful and productive 85 years, but had never done anything as weird as using a laptop computer. Emma and Gaby from the NHS Property Services CSR team showed him some of things he could start doing when he returns next week.

#DigitalLearning #Volunteering @gabyalessa.bsky.social

Paulina (an older black woman) is sitting between two volunteers (middle-aged men). They are smiling; she is laughing. In front of them, a table-top with printed handouts, flyers for 50+ Digital Drop-in, and a small banner for NHS Property Services.

Thanks NHS Property Services - www.property.nhs.uk - for picking a perfect date for CSR team volunteering yesterday - the first Wednesday neither raining nor very cold. More than 50 people in the hall, age range 21 to 87, learning about digital tech & each other.

#DigitalInclusion #SocialInclusion

I set out to study which jobs should be done by AI – and found a very human answer | Allison Pugh Much of the power of work such as counselling lies in a relationship where we properly see each other. And tech just can’t do that, says sociology professor Allison Pugh

Dignity, purpose, understanding. These are things we can't get from a machine, or from AI. They are things we can only get from one another, and things that we all desperately need.

Important thoughts from Dr Allison Pugh on the value of connective labour 👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

A Complete Unknown I went to the cinema to see A Complete Unknown. Timothee Chalamet played Bob Dylan. It is set in New York's vibrant Greenwich Village music ...

50+ Digital learner Hardeep continues her series of unique film reviews at hw.szs.net/2025/01/a-co... - and in a typical Hardeep move persuaded the cinema manager to join her photo opportunity with Bob Dylan.

Content & motivation are all hers.

@hw.szs.net #DigitalInclusion #DigitalLearners

Sign the Petition Preserving the benefit of St Mary's Secret Garden Hackney

We suggested this to our 50+ contacts as a genuinely useful web activity - "If everybody reading this email signs, it will take the total over 2000. It's very easy - but if you have never done it before, our Wednesday afternoon volunteers will explain the process" #SecretGarden

tinyurl.com/24bhnts7