Summer 2024

No-one does summer like Islington does summer. We’ve got thousands of hours of free activities and courses for children, families and young people – many including a free lunch – helping to keep our young people healthy, happy and safe.

There's so much to do with:

• 12 adventure playgrounds
• 10 libraries
• 127 parks and green spaces
• 3 nature reserves
• 4 swimming pools and 7 leisure centres
• 63 community centres
• one urban farm
• dozens of youth hubs and clubs. 

Greener, healthier

As well as our wonderful parks and green spaces, our streets have been transformed to offer greener, healthier spaces to walk, wheel or scoot.

Closer to home and also free, you could apply to close your own street to traffic for a few hours to hold a summer celebration with your neighbours and give children the freedom to have fun and play safely on their doorstep.

We're also offering more than 1,000 hours of free cycle training and walking maps to explore Islington to help make the most of your summer.

You can also help your children stay healthy by checking in on their mental wellbeing and getting them immunised against serious diseases.

Culture, arts and events

Islington’s united communities, vibrant high streets and buzzing cultural hubs are also bursting with free or affordable events and festivals right through the summer, from theatre, music and dance to arts, crafts and food.

Islington Life is the best place for information and inspiration this summer – you can also follow it on Twitter / X, Facebook and Instagram.

Remember our libraries because they offer free access to books, events and much more – either drop in, check the directory of events or follow Islington Libraries on Facebook @IslingtonLibs and Twitter / X @IslingtonLibs.

Post-exam support

Exam results days were 15 and 22 August 2024.

You can email or call our team of advisors on both days and after all the way into autumn. We will help make sure every young person has the advice and guidance to continue their journey and make the most of their potential.

• Email: progress@islington.gov.uk
• Phone: 020 7527 7031

We’re also supporting young people taking their next steps in life, including at two dedicated youth employment hubs, with advice on:

• careers
• apprenticeships
• jobs
• training
• further education. 

You can sign up for the weekly Islington Working Youth bulletin that contains a range of opportunities including job vacancies, apprenticeships, training courses and programmes.

We understand this can be a stressful time and if your child is worried about results day, there is free, safe and anonymous advice on Kooth.

Find more mental health support for young people.

For the under-5s

There’s all sorts going on for the under-5s in our free Bright Start activities programme, including indoor and outdoor stay-and-play sessions and activities in parks and community venues.

Family Hubs

Whatever you need support with, our three welcoming Family Hubs are your 'front door’ to dedicated support and information, with everything in one place for families with children aged 0 to 19, or up to 25 for special educational needs and disabilities.

Childcare this summer holiday

Islington Family Information Service (FIS) can help you find suitable holiday childcare.

Get in contact by 

• phone on 020 7527 5959
• email at FIS@islington.gov.uk. 

Safety

Standing Together Fortnight took place in late July and included 10 workshops on how to keep your children safe. For young people, the two-week festival aimed to empower them to make positive choices, take decisive action to stay safe and lead change in their communities.

The fortnight of activities and events, including the Rose Bowl Summer Celebration, was attended by 350 families, more than 200 young people and more than 200 parents, carers and people from the wider community.

If you missed it, you can still find support and advice on our targeted youth support pages or by emailing TYS@islington.gov.uk. 

Summerversity - free courses and activities for teenagers and young adults

Summerversity has more than 100 free courses and activities including:

• arts
• media and technology
• music
• life skills workshops (cooking, carpentry, bike repair)
• sports and fitness.

Many activities are designed to help young people explore their aspirations and future career options and provide insight into different sectors including hospitality, leisure, creative industries or construction.

Those aged over 16 can also boost their work experience by gaining new skills and getting career or further education advice.

Register first so you can book ahead.  

Holiday activities with food

Our dedicated summer holiday programmes include free activities with food for eligible young people, who can make new friends and enjoy a free lunch while trying all sorts of experiences like:

• archery
• art
• cooking
• football
• kayaking
• music-making
• theatre

Thousands of free places are available for Islington’s young people who receive benefits-related free school meals, but they must be booked in advance. Find out if your child is eligible, register and book activities.

There are also many other free activities on offer in Islington this summer to check out.