Support groups and services

Age UK East London is a local independent charity working with older people mainly in the boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and a Health and Wellbeing provision in the City Square Mile.

For more information and access for all the services, please visit their website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/eastlondon/

Alternatively, please contact them using the below details:

Email: info@ageukeastlondon.org.uk

Tel: 0208 981 7124 

The City & Hackney Dementia Service (CHDS) has replaced the Diagnostic Memory Clinic. It is a new model of dementia care which provides a diagnostic service that holds patients from diagnosis to end of life, or out of borough placement. It ensures everyone living with dementia has a timely diagnosis, with greater access to ongoing help, advice and support for them, their carers and families.

The service is delivered by East London NHS FT (ELFT), having previously been jointly provided with the Alzheimer's Society. As of June 1 2023, the Alzheimer's Society's Hackney Dementia Navigation Service has been welcomed into the City & Hackney Dementia Service.

For more information visit the East London NHS Foundation Trust website.

The Memory Group is for people who like to keep their mind and memory sharp. Attendees meet weekly, engaging in creative activities and entertainment which all aim to bring back memories and a sense of wellbeing.

City Memory Group meets weekly:

When: Tuesdays, 2 - 4pm 
Where: Golden Lane Community Centre, Fann Street, London, EC1Y 0RN 
What is on offer? Various musical entertainment, activities and exercises, followed by refreshments. A great place to make new friends and socialise
How to Join? Come by any Tuesday from 2pm

Contact: Madhumita, the group coordinator, at forgetmenotproject17@gmail.com

The Memory Group is free to attend.

There are ten places available for people who live, work or used to work (now retired) in the City of London. These operate on a first come-first served basis.

Smokefree City & Hackney is the local stop smoking service for adults (18+ years) who live, work, study or have a GP in Hackney or in the City of London. We offer 12 weeks of support to help you quit, with your own dedicated stop smoking advisor and easy access to stop smoking medication. You can choose to be supported over the phone or in person.

You can contact Smokefree City & Hackney by calling 0800 046 9946 or by clicking on the Contact Us button.

You can also follow Smokefree City & Hackney on LinkedIn and Twitter!

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Having a cigarette does seem to have a calming effect. So, what’s going on?

• Smoking is an addiction. When a smoker wants a cigarette it’s because their body is experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Smoking relieves the stress coming from the cravings.

• Those first couple of puffs on a cigarette involve breathing deeply. Deep breathing is relaxing.

• Having a cigarette break, a bit of ‘down-time’, a bit of ‘me time’ is sometimes the only real break that people take during the day.

The truth is that smoking does not relieve stress and anxiety. If smoking really relieved stress then smokers would be the most relaxed zen people ever! Quitting smoking actually helps people feel more positive about life.

This short animation shows how smoking affects stress levels: Smoking and mental health - YouTube