October 2026 udpate

There's been lots happening on the estate. Here is your October update for free activities at Loraine Estate and news about the community budgeting project.

Loraine ‘In Colour’ Community Gardening sessions

You will have seen that the vegetable beds have now been built. Residents are invited to join the community gardening sessions as part of the ‘Loraine In Colour’ project.

No experience is needed – everyone is welcome!

Friday 30 October 10.00am – 2.00pm
Friday 6 November 10.00am – 2.00pm
Saturday 7 November 10.00am – 2.00pm
Friday 13 November 10.00am – 2.00pm
Saturday 21 November 10.00am – 2.00pm

Please wear sturdy shoes and suitable outdoor clothing. Children must be accompanied by an adult. You’ll be helping the team tend to the forgotten areas of the estate and do some planting.

For more information, contact the Housing Community Gardening team at hcgt@islington.gov.uk.

Coming soon – you can apply for a vegetable garden. Please email lorainegardeners@proton.me before 21 November.

A launch event will be at 2.00pm on 21 November at the community centre with activities for all ages, following the gardening.

Play area and community shed

We're sorry about the delay and want to acknowledge any frustrations you might have about this. A play area and community shed will still be built, but it will not be finished until next year.

We are working across the council and with councillors to come up with better designs for the play area that will be high quality, great value for money and reflect what residents want. Later this year, you will be invited to get involved in choosing exactly what the play area will look like.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions or concerns about this.

Women’s exercise classes

Women and girls have been improving their fitness and trying something new with Zumba on Fridays at the community centre.

You’ll be glad to know – Zumba classes are continuing! These classes are completely free and right on your doorstep so if you’re looking for an Autumn reset – this is for you. The next classes will be:

Friday 9 October, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Friday 16 October, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Friday 23 October, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Friday 30 October, 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Please note – there will NOT be a class on Friday 2 October.

A big thank you to Mayra for organises these activities! She is also organising free yoga classes for women if you prefer a different pace. Dates coming soon.

Loraine Learning Hub

The BSL course is now complete and was enjoyed by all attendees. One person said “The sessions have been so much fun. We’ve learnt so much, and we’ve made new friends in the community.”

Robert is organising a few more classes that anyone can join. Dates coming soon.

David and India are also organising more free events for people to learn and share new skills, including cooking!

Read about the Lifesaving skills event that happened in August.

Over the Fence

David and Mustafa have been busy organising over the fence activities – where you can get to know your neighbours over a cup of tea. There’ll be more dates coming soon.

Read about a past Over the Fence event.

Read about the past Over the Fence event – doing portraits.

Cultural celebration events

This year, there’s been two cultural events to celebrate Nowruz and Eid. These parties were for everyone to come together and share culture. It was amazing to see over 160 people attending both events! Congratulations to Zabi and Ubah for organising them – with help from Mustafa and many more!

There will another celebration event next year.

Read about the Eid celebration.

Bloom and Create

Mustafa has been organising creative workshops with the help of local artist, Sarah Lundblad. These workshops are for all ages – and are a great free activity for children. There will be more workshops in the school holidays.

Read what Bloom and Create means to Mustafa.

Games nights

As the nights get colder, what better way to spend time connecting with your neighbours playing games at the community centre.

Games nights will be starting in November – dates coming soon.

Seasonal fruit and veg boxes

India is organising free fruit and veg boxes so that everyone has access to seasonal fruit and vegetables. More details coming soon.

Wellbeing café: Mondays at 10.00am – 12.00pm

Residents have set up a Monday morning wellbeing café at the community centre. Come along for a cuppa, some biscuits, a chat and good company. Bring a friend or neighbour with you – especially someone who might enjoy getting out for a little while.

Check our more information about the wellbeing café.

Join the Facebook group

Your neighbours organising these free events have now created a Facebook page!

Follow the page to get the latest news of what’s happening on the estate.

Apply for Make It Happen funding – deadline Monday 12 October, 10.00am

Islington Giving has a small grants programme called ‘Make it Happen’. Residents and small local community organisations can apply for up to £500 to organise a one-off event or short-term project for your community this winter or in Spring.

Visit their website for inspiration, guidelines and the application form.

Email sarah.page@islingtongiving.org.uk if you have any questions, would like help with your application or if you have an idea but are unsure if the funding programme is right for you and would like to discuss further.

Do you know a neighbour who would enjoy these events? Please share this email with them or get them to sign up by emailing engagement@islington.gov.uk.

If you have ideas or questions about some of these events – contact us and we’d be happy to put you in touch with the event organisers.