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News
7 Mar 2023 - Islington Food Partnership Strategy launched!
As part of Islington's first Food Week we are celebrating the launch of the Islington Food Partnership's Strategy 2023-28 with our own International Feast at our centre on Wednesday 8th March, part also of International Women's Day. Read more here >
3 Jan 2023 - Alima's work recognised in New Year's Honours List!
Alima Dimonekene, who has worked for Manor Gardens carrying out our FGM support and prevention work for many years, has been honoured with an MBE in the New Year's Honours List for her work as a lifelong campaigner and activist on FGM and violence against women and girls for over 30 years in the UK and Africa. Read more here >
18 Oct 2022 - Celebrating World Mental Health Day
Staff and partners celebrated World Mental Health Day today with a relaxing Gratitude Breakfast in our new open space. Read more here >
11 Jul 2022 - Award for islington's food work
Islington has been granted Bronze status in the prestigious Sustainable Food Places Awards. The bid, led by Islington Food Partnership and hosted by Manor Gardens Welfare Trust, saw the Borough judged on its response to several major issues, including food poverty, food waste, sustainability, supply chains and access to healthy food. Read more here >
6 Jun 2022 - Celebrating the Queen's Jubilee
Manor Gardens opened its doors and gardens on Monday 6th June to take part in the celebrations for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, providing Afternoon Tea, opportunities to plant flowers and tomatoes to take home, children's activities and the chance to share memories of celebrations in the many countries where our clients come from. Read more here >
3 May 2022 - Community Iftar event creates new friendships
Manor Gardens staff helped set up a Community Iftar during Ramadan to bring women together to break their fast. Seventeen people attended the session ranging from ages 22 to 29. The participants ranged from a variety of backgrounds – Somali, Eritrean, Gambian, Pakistani, Bengali and Yemeni. All attendees were of the 1st generation in the UK. Read more here >
8 Dec 2021 - Biggest ever hamper deliveries!
Despite a shortage of elves this year we have managed to pack and distribute are largest number of hampers ever - 157 - to local individuals and families. Funded by London Borough of Islington's Local Initiative Fund we were backed by councillors in all our local wards to make this huge undertaking possible. Read more here >
24 Sep 2021 - Community meal sparks discussions
Our third community meal took place on Thursday 23rd September at the newly converted Billiard Factory on Holloway Road, attended by over 60 local people. Read more here >
16 Sep 2021 - Share our community meal!
Building on our emergency food distribution during the pandemic, and our pop-up food co-op, which we've been running since the spring, Manor Gardens has come up with a new vision to defeat food poverty and reduce food waste in Islington. Read more here >
1 Jul 2021 - Pride at Manor Gardens
Celebrating Pride Month Manor Gardens hosted a Pride celebration in our gardens on a rather chilly afternoon at the end of June. Read more here >
11 Jun 2021 - Manor Gardens’ Chief Executive honoured in the Birthday Honours List June 2021
Katy Porter, CEO of Islington-based charity Manor Gardens Welfare Trust, has been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List with a British Empire Medal for services to the community during Covid-19. Read more here >
10 May 2021 - Celebrate Spring with getting back to nature!
Spending time in a green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week we are promoting the health benefits of nature. Read more here >
25 Mar 2021 - Mayor visits our Pop-up Co-op
We were delighted to welcome Islington Mayor Janet Burgess to our pop-up food co-op this morning. Staff and volunteers were able to show her what we had on offer and Janet was able to talk to volunteers and customers to find out what they thought of our pilot project. Read more here >
11 Feb 2021 - Over 70? Get the Covid vaccine now!
There are still a lot of people over 70 in Islington who haven't taken up the Covid-19 vaccine, for a variety of reasons. Here is some information for anyone who is over 70 or has a relative or friend who is. Read more here >
3 Feb 2021 - It's good to talk!
The world is different this year. But one thing remains the same. The more we talk the more we can feel relief. Read more here >
17 Dec 2020 - Bumper hamper season for 2020!
Building on our considerable experience since March of preparing and distributing substantial food parcels to people in need in Islington, we were able to adapt and extend our Christmas Hamper service this year. Read more here >
1 Dec 2020 - Protect yourself and your family with the flu jab
Getting the latest flu vaccination is important if you are over 50 or have underlying health issues. It is also crucial that our children are vaccinated too. Read more here >
8 Oct 2020 - Feel good on World Mental Health Day
We are celebrating World Mental Health Day (10th October) this year with some tips on coping during the Coronavirus pandemic. Read more here >
10 Sep 2020 - World Suicide Prevention Day 2020
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on 10th September 2020 every year. Organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. This year, the theme is Working Together to Prevent Suicide. Read more here >
29 Jun 2020 - Good news from Ofsted
Just before lockdown we received a call from Ofsted announcing their visit the next day, on 5th March. All nursery staff worked hard to get everything prepared for the inspection and were available to meet the inspector on the day. Read more here >
18 Jun 2020 - A welcome boost from the CWU
We were thrilled to get a message on Tuesday offering us a large donation of food towards our Food Distribution Hub from the Communications Workers Union (CWU). They had been collecting donations from hundreds of Royal Mail staff in North London and brought them to the centre in time for this week's deliveries. Read more here >
15 Jun 2020 - Loneliness awareness week
Loneliness Awareness Week 2020 is designed to help raise awareness of loneliness and encourage people to speak about it openly. This year's campaign is called One Less Lonely Voice – taking the 'one' out of loneliness. Read more here >
5 Jun 2020 - Celebrating our wonderful volunteers!
Manor Gardens has been very lucky during Covid-19 to find some wonderful volunteers living locally who have had the extra time to support our new endeavours. In particular, we've brought in several hard-working volunteers to pick and pack all of our food parcels every week - back-breaking work! Read more here >
18 May 2020 - Tips for Mental Health Awareness Week
The theme for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is 'Kindness'. During the current crisis one of the good things to come out is people's ability to be kind and caring towards people they don't even know. Read more here >
16 Apr 2020 - Manor Gardens launches appeal
Manor Gardens has launched an appeal today to support us to adapt our service models to support more people during the current crisis and to provide basic supplies to people in need. Read more here >
30 Mar 2020 - Manor Gardens and Covid 19
Manor Gardens has adapted its ways of working to ensure that all people it supports continue to be looked after in these troubling times. Read more here >
30 Jan 2020 - Winter Wellbeing Festival 2020
We're beating the Winter Blues again this year with our Winter Wellbeing Festival on Thursday 6th February at Islington Town Hall between 12 and 3. Read more here >
27 Jan 2020 - Screening of Bafta nominated documentary
Join us for a screening of The Cruel Cut in Central London, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and other prominent voices in women's rights and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This event is hosted by Manor Gardens' Dahlia Project, and kindly supported by Twitter. Read more here >
13 Jan 2020 - Launching Islington's Food Poverty Action Plan
The Islington Food Poverty Alliance is a broad coalition of local organisations and individuals working together to ensure everyone in Islington eats enough healthy food each day. Staff at Manor Gardens have been working closely with Islington Council to develop and launch the new Plan and convene the Alliance. Read more here >
1 Jan 2020 - Generosity during the festive period
The run-up to Christmas this year was even busier than usual, with hampers, lunches and parties for all of our beneficiaries. Read more here >
2 Dec 2019 - New guidelines released for professionals working with survivors of FGM
Women who have survived female genital mutilation (FGM) need specialist support to address the psychological and physical legacies that affect their daily lives. Manor Gardens’ Dahlia Project has been instrumental in bringing together expertise from leading pyschotherapists to develop new guidelines, published on 2nd December, to assist all professionals when supporting survivors of FGM. Read more here >
12 Sep 2019 - Manor Gardens part of new FGM initiative
Manor Gardens is proud to be part of the NHS's new clinics to support women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM). Read more here >
5 Jul 2019 - Sweltering Summer Festival!
It was the hottest day of the year for our Summer Wellbeing Festival on 29th June but despite the heat the local community came together to celebrate and learn new things and just have fun. Read more here >
4 Jul 2019 - Nursery places available for September
Our Manor Gardens Nursery (Ofsted rating Outstanding) still has a few places for two- and three-year-old children starting in September. Read more here >
14 Jun 2019 - Further support for refugee and migrant families
We're delighted to be able to announce that Manor Gardens has won three years' funding from the National Lottery Comunity Fund to extend our Bright Beginnings service and work more closely with mainstream providers of services during the first 1,001 days of a child's life. Read more here >
8 Apr 2019 - Coping with Stress!
We all get stressed. Stress isn’t always a bad thing and is a very normal part of life. During National Stress Awareness Month we are offering some tips on reducing stress. Read more here >
18 Mar 2019 - Could you spare us some time?
Manor Gardens Welfare Trust works with around 250 volunteers each year in a wide range of roles, all of which support our services to improve the lives of people in North London. Read more here >
6 Mar 2019 - Bright Beginnings Conference
For the past three years Manor Gardens has been delivering a service called Bright Beginnings aimed at improving the health outcomes for pregnant women and new mothers from refugee and migrant families. Read more here >
7 Feb 2019 - Time to talk at our Winter Wellbeing Festival
The plush setting of Islington Town Hall was the backdrop for our Winter Wellbeing Festival, which took place on Thursday 7th February as part of the national Time to Talk initiative to break down the stigma around mental health. Read more here >
18 Jan 2019 - Winter Wellbeing Festival 2019
Manor Gardens is putting on our second Winter Wellbeing Festival on Thursday 7th February as part of the National Time To Talk Day events to get people talking about mental health. Read more here >
8 Nov 2018 - Can you help us this Christmas?
Christmas can be a time when people feel most alone. Here at Manor Gardens we are getting ready for Christmas already to ensure that our Friendship Network and Stroke Service members can celebrate with others and receive gifts, but we need your help. Read more here >
8 Oct 2018 - National campaigner Leyla Hussein helps launch Islington’s new guide to tackling FGM
Islington has launched a new guide to help professionals identify children who are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM). The Islington FGM Risk Assessment Tool, a 12-page workbook, will enable people working in the NHS, schools, education, police and children’s services to identify and assess the risks of FGM. Read more here >
27 Sep 2018 - Volunteer Celebration
We were delighted to be able to thank all of the volunteers who support our services at a special ceremony at Islington Town Hall's Council Chamber on 27th September. We welcomed volunteers who had been with us for many years as well as some new ones. Read more here >
23 Aug 2018 - Wellbeing Garden Party
Manor Gardens' own beautiful garden was the star of the show when our Wellbeing Service put on its Garden Party in August. Over 60 people turned out to take part in activities around wellbeing, including quizzes, gentle gardening, games and chat. And of course it was accompanied by tea and nibbles. Read more here >
24 Jul 2018 - Summer Wellbeing in the glorious weather
The sun really did shine on our Summer Wellbeing Festival this year, held on a glorious Saturday 30th June. Read more here >
23 Jul 2018 - Patron receives Honorary Fellowship of LSE
Manor Gardens' former Chair of Trustees and now Patron Alan Elias has been rewarded by the London School of Economics with an Honorary Fellowship on 12th July. He had already received the LSE Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award in May. Read more here >
24 Jun 2018 - Canal trip acessible to everyone
In mid-June members of Stroke Service and Friendship Network were invited to a fantastic day out on the Regents Canal in a specially adapted canal boat. Read more here >
23 May 2018 - Updating our privacy statement
As part of our work to become compliant with the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) we have updated our Privacy Policy. Read more here >
9 Apr 2018 - Stress Awareness Month 2018
We all get stressed. Stress isn’t always a bad thing and is a very normal part of life. Stress is a physical response to change, a threat, or danger. It is a survival strategy: the part of the brain that controls our emotions shuts down any unnecessary functions, triggering what we know as the ‘flight or fight’ response. Read more here >
28 Mar 2018 - Read all our March news
You can read all our March news in the latest edition of our newsletter. Read more here >
20 Mar 2018 - Dahlia Appeal newsletter
Our Dahlia Appeal has been very successful and we wanted to let everyone know what we've been able to do so far with the money you so generously donated. Read more here >
All the latest news from Manor Gardens can be found in our latest newsletter here. Read more here >
Our new Dads Brunch Club got off to a roaring success on Saturday, despite a wet and cold morning. Seventeen Dads brought along their children to our Preschool area, where the kids could play safely and make new friends. Read more here >
1 Feb 2018 - It's Time to Talk Today
Manor Gardens Wellbeing Service is taking part in the national Time to Talk campaign today by working with local gyms and pubs to reach men with the message 'it's good to talk'. Read more here >
23 Jan 2018 - Dads Brunch Club
Our Bright Beginnings project works closely with pregnant women before and after the birth of their child, but up until now we haven't been able to look at the needs of all the Dads involved in bringing up the baby. Over the next two months we are piloting a Saturday Brunch Club exclusively for Dads and their children, held in our large Preschool area. Read more here >
23 Jan 2018 - Women-only Yoga sessions
As part of our work to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the people we work with we are putting on a women-only yoga session every Tuesday at 10.30am to encourage relaxation and provide a release of tension. Read more here >
22 Jan 2018 - International Zero tolerance to FGM Day
Manor Gardens' pioneering work in combatting FGM will be highlighted at its Newham Service on 1st February as part of International Zero Tolerance to FGM Day 2018. Read more here >
4 Dec 2017 - Manor Gardens welcomes its new CEO
Manor Gardens welcomed its new Chief Executive Officer this morning. Katy Porter joins us from homelessness charity Thames Reach. Read more here >
28 Nov 2017 - What we've been up to in November
Catch up with what we've been doing in November with the latest edition of our newsletter. Read more here >
31 Oct 2017 - Read all our latest news
You can read the latest edition of our newsletter here. Read more here >
19 Oct 2017 - Launch of Camden Blossoms
On 19th October we launched our new Camden Blossoms service at a community event in Belsize Park library. Over 70 mums and pregnant women from the diverse local community came together to talk to us and our maternity mentors, as well as representatives from other appropriate local services. Read more here >
27 Sep 2017 - Lecture opens up debate about charities
Manor Gardens' Third Keynote Lecture on Wednesday 27th September was of national importance for the future role of charities. The speaker was Baroness Jill Pitkeathley, Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on charities who has a long track record in the voluntary sector. Read more here >
25 Sep 2017 - Our September Newsletter
Find out what we've been up to at Manor Gardens in the latest edition of our newsletter. Read more here >
20 Sep 2017 - Comedy Night Benefit raises over £20,000
Islington’s Union Chapel was full to bursting on Monday night in support of Stand up to FGM, a Comedy Benefit Night with comedians Sue Perkins, Athena Kugblenu, Jo Brand, Shazia Mirza, Bridget Christie, Harry Hill, Mark Thomas, and Stewart Lee. A grand total of £21,908 was raised through ticket sales and the raffle. Read more here >
Our Third Keynote Lecture entitled Stronger Charities for a Stronger Society will be given by Baroness Jill Pitkeathley, Chair of the House of Lords Select Committee on Charities. Read more here >
15 Sep 2017 - Expedia volunteers make a difference
Volunteers from Expedia helped spruce up Manor Gardens on Friday by painting and gardening. Read more here >
A fantastic line-up of top comedy talent is taking a stand against FGM in Stand up to FGM, a Comedy Benefit Night at Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN on Monday 18th September at 7.30pm. Tickets are £25 available here. Read more here >
7 Sep 2017 - Young Americans raise funds for Dahlia Project
The Young Americans hair salon in California contacted us wanting to support our Dahlia appeal with a Cut-a-thon. They have now held their fundraising day and raised the grand sum of US $2,320. They had a fantastic day and far exceeded their goal of around a thousand dollars. Read more here >
24 Jul 2017 - More pictures from our Summer Wellbeing Festival
Although the day dawned cloudy this gave our volunteers at 8.30am a welcome cool start to what turned out to be a hot and sunny Festival. Fifteen staff and volunteers turned out of bed early to get the tables and chairs set up for the stalls, to clean the road, and to get the stages and tea tent set up. Read more here >
19 Jul 2017 - Wellbeing event on Dementia
On Friday 7th July Mental Health Champion Dr Neeru Aggarwal ran a session at Duval House, a sheltered housing project run by Centra. It is the second session that has been run here by a mental health champion and this one was on the topic of Dementia. Read more here >
18 Jul 2017 - Support our Dahlia Project for FGM survivors
Anti-FGM campaigner Leyla Hussein works for Manor Gardens to promote awareness of this illegal practice and the after-effects which cause women so much pain and suffering. She set up the Dahlia Project which brings together women survivors and offers therapeutic help, often for the first time, and a safe space to discuss the physical and mental issues associated with FGM. Read more here >
17 Jul 2017 - The sun shone on our Summer Wellbeing Festival
A fantastic hot sunny day was the backdrop for Manor Gardens Welfare Trust’s Summer Wellbeing Festival on Saturday 8th July. Live music, taster sessions, hot food, afternoon tea and over 50 stalls were just some of the highlights of the afternoon which took place in our street, Manor Gardens, London N7 6LA. Read more here >
5 Jul 2017 - Leyla's campaigning work recognised
Our FGM campaigner and co-ordinator of the Dahlia Project was painted on Wardour Street in Soho, London, by the famous and talented artist Dreph. Read more here >
27 Jun 2017 - Why Humans Hurt Each Other
Leading FGM campaigner and Co-ordinator of our Dahlia Project is chairing this debate at the Royal Society for the Arts on Thursday 29th June 2017 at 13:00 to 14:00. The event will take place in the Durham Street Auditorium, RSA House and will be hosted by Dexter Dias QC, Human Rights Barrister. Read more here >
20 Jun 2017 - Uniting our community
Manor Gardens Welfare Trust stands alongside all those working to keep our vibrant and diverse community together and supports this statement from the Islington Faiths Forum: Read more here >
15 Jun 2017 - How to Influence Commissioning and Promote Your Services
The latest meeting of The Health Exchange, entitled How to Influence Commissioning and Promote Your Services, took place on Thursday 15th June in Manor Gardens Training Room. Read more here >
12 Jun 2017 - Eat more healthily today
We're supporting Healthy Eating Week, run by the British Nutrition Foundation. To help you eat more healthily we've put together some recipes and tips for each day of the week. Enjoy! Read more here >
2 Jun 2017 - Book your stall now
Now's the time to book your stall at our Summer Wellbeing Festival on Saturday 8th July 2017. We are looking for a mix of information, craft, arts and fun stalls for the day which starts at 12.30 and ends at 4.30. Read more here >
Find out about all that's been happening at Manor Gardens in our May newsletter. Read more here >
23 May 2017 - Trullo entertains the Friendship Network
Ten members of our Friendship Network and our volunteer Jenni Chan were treated to the finest Italian food by our long-term supporters Trullo restaurant on 23rd May. Read more here >
22 May 2017 - Volunteering roles at our Festivals
For our Summer Festival on Saturday 8th July between 12.30-4.30 we will be closing part of our street (Manor Gardens N7 6LA) and hosting a range of stalls, food, fun activities, live music and some art activities. Read more here >
2 May 2017 - All the latest news
You can find out what we've been up to in our April newsletter here. Read more here >
20 Mar 2017 - Winter Wellbeing Festival
There was a really positive vibe at our Winter Wellbeing Festival on Monday 20th March at the Islington Assembly Hall. Nearly 300 people turned out on a miserable March day to hear more about local organisations and how they can help you improve your wellbeing and to take part in taster sessions throughout the afternoon. Read more here >
8 Mar 2017 - Celebrating International Women
To celebrate International Women's Day 2017 we brought together our own international women to have fun together and provide mutual support. In total 21 mums between 19 to 42 years attended the event. 1 Spanish, 1 Russian, 1 Albanian, 2 Bulgarian, 6 Latin Americans, and 10 Somali women. The mums brought in total 17 children aged between two weeks to four years. We provided childcare from 10.30am to 2pm. Read more here >
2 Mar 2017 - Zero tolerance to FGM
Manor Gardens Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Prevention Service in Newham recently hosted an event at Stratford Library to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM. Developed in collaboration with the council’s community neighbourhood link workers, the event was attended by more than 80 people with an interest in working together to eliminate the practice. The event was marked by a piece in the Newham Magazine (page 13). Read more here >
21 Feb 2017 - All the latest news from Manor Gardens
You can see the latest news from Manor Gardens in our February Newsletter Read more here >
21 Feb 2017 - Visit from Councillor Comer Schwartz
We were delighted to welcome Councillor Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Executive Member for Community Development at Islington Council, to tour the Centre on 9th February and hear about the excellent work done by all our Services. Read more here >
21 Feb 2017 - Taking time to talk
Manor Gardens’ Wellbeing Service took time to reduce the stigma around mental health by taking part in the national Time to Talk Day on 2nd February 2017. Read more here >
2 Feb 2017 - Roger Takes Time to Talk
As part of our celebration of national campaign Time to Talk we hosted local artist Roger Alsop and displayed his pictures at Manor Gardens for everyone to see. Roger is also a client of the Islington Stroke Service at Manor Gardens. Read more here >
8 Dec 2016 - Hamper deliveries are well underway
Members of our Friendship Network and our Stroke Service have been answering the door to our own version of Santa’s little helpers this week as staff and volunteers have been out delivering our filled hampers to 55 local residents. Read more here >
8 Dec 2016 - Great generosity from The Spanish Nursery
Once again the people we try to support all year are getting an extra bonus – thanks to the staff, parents and Read more here >
10 Nov 2016 - The Health Exchange
With recent changes in health services commissioning it can be difficult for smaller organisations to keep pace with developments and ensure their services get the recognition they deserve. Manor Gardens Welfare Trust is setting up The Health Exchange, a new initiative which aims to work with small voluntary and community organisations in Islington to improve understanding of the health and wellbeing landscape and devise creative solutions to delivering wellbeing services. Read more here >
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