Welcome to Hilldrop
Hilldrop Community Centre, located in Tufnell Park in Islington, is a space to bring together local people of all ages and backgrounds. We are proud to offer a variety of services to enhance our great community.
Please check individual pages for information on our activities.
If you have an enquiry please email office@hilldrop.org.uk or leave a message on 0207 607 9453.
Read our Annual Report 2020-21
Our office is currently open Mon-Fri 10pm-5pm and normal activities are running.
COVID UPDATE:
All adult visitors not attending seated activities are asked to wear a face mask.
In the event of staff shortage or cancelled activities due to COVID the centre may close at short notice.
News
14 January 2022
New Online Workshops: Quilting for Radical Change
Online presentations on Quilting and the stories of resistance and resilience that are sewn into them. Find out about its history and uses in keeping us warm and preserving our memories and culture. Be inspired to join us in creating our own community quilt!
These free online classes will take place from 6 - 7.30pm on Thursdays 27th January, 10th February & 17th February 2022.
14 January 2022
New Events: Super Soup Week & The Common Thread
Check out our new Events page and join us for our free Soup Week event on Tuesday 25th January.
Then on Saturday 29th January our friends from St George's Mutual Aid group will be hosting a free social event at the centre celebrating our community bonds and the wonderful work of our local volunteers.
All are welcome!
14 January 2022
Gardening: Greening the Grey for 2022!
We're excited to announce that we've successfully secured funding from the Mayor of London's Grow Back Greener Fund & Islington Council to 'Green the Grey' on Community Lane! During 2022 we're transforming the end of the old car park into a wildlife friendly green space with fruit trees, hedgerows and raised beds for community growing.
Watch this space to find out how you can get involved and join our team of volunteers in Greening the Grey!
Our weekly Gardening session returns on 27th January 2022.
Thursdays 12 - 2pm (term-time). Free.
Contact: elaine@hilldrop.org.uk
October 27, 2021
New! Mend & Make Workshops with Relish Embellish Café
The Relish Embellish Café presents a series of free workshops tackling fast fashion and its environmental impact. We'll give you the practical skills to repair, alter and transform clothes & textiles, giving them new life and reducing waste. From shopping smarter and re-using what’s in your wardrobe to buying and selling pre-owned goods, we’ll give you all the tips and tricks you need. Suitable for all skill levels with equipment provided.
No need to book, just come along. Our Lunch Club immediately follows the session and participants are welcome to stay for a free healthy cooked lunch!
Tuesdays (term-time) from Autumn 2021 through Spring 2022
10.00am to 12.15pm. Small Hall. Free
Contact: elaine@hilldrop.org.uk
October 7, 2021
Stay & Play: Speech & Language Therapy Special
We’re delighted to have Seema Acharaya from Bright Start’s Speech & Language Therapy team join our
Stay & Play group on 13th October to share advice on supporting good speech, language and communication development in children. She will also be sharing her expertise in identifying specific speech, language and communication needs, and how parents can find the right support for their children.
If you would like to attend this free session please let us know by emailing office@hilldrop.org.uk so we can know numbers in advance.
Wednesday 13th October 9.45 - 11.15am, Large Hall
Sept 6, 2021
The Artistic Takeover returns!
We're delighted welcome Cut Moose back to the centre with a series of brand new free multimedia workshops for young creatives aged 10-12yrs!
The workshops will cover film making, video editing, theatre and performance making, collaborative games, photography, puppetry, storytelling and creative writing. Activities will be designed in collaboration with participants.
Wednesdays from 4.30 to 6pm.
Autumn 2021 through Spring 2022. Free.
Please note that parental consent is required for participants.
Contact: info@cutmoose.com
July 26, 2021
Thank you!
We'd like to thank everyone who took part in our Summer Fair on Saturday 24th July. The day was about celebrating our amazing neighbourhood and the wonderful new friends we've made over the past year, and thanking them for their tremendous support for each other and the wider community. The generosity of our donors, volunteers, partners and local businesses played a vital part in adapting our Food Hub service to help as many people as possible during the COVID crisis.
A special thanks to our wonderful volunteers, cooks, stall holders, crafters, performers and activity co-ordinators for giving their time and enthusiasm for this event, and to everyone who came along and contributed. We couldn't be more proud of our community and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
View our gallery
May 21, 2021
The Knitter Knatter Knitting Club
Our new knitting club is for beginners and old hands alike! Set in a relaxed atmosphere where people can share a cup of tea, make friends and learn a new skill, the group will allow space for social distancing while COVID restrictions are still in place. It starts on Tuesday 8th June and will run for 6 weekly sessions between 10.30am and 12pm.
Enquiries: elaine@hilldrop.org.uk
6 weekly sessions starting Tuesday 8th June from 10.30am to 12pm. Free.
We're also running an online knitting course with Islington council - there will be six weekly sessions running from Friday 28th May (10.30am - 12pm). People are welcome to sign up to both courses.
Enquiries: hcdt@islington.gov.uk
June 7, 2021
Stay & Play re-opens
Our Stay & Play sessions are now open again offering free play for Under 5's led by a Level-3 Childcare worker. Parents may register on arrival, but please respect any queuing or hygiene measures we have in place. Our Toy Library is also open and families can borrow from a variety of toys & books for up to two weeks.
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9.45 - 11.15am, Large Hall (term time only)
May 10, 2021
The Wishing Tree Family Workshop
Little Angel Theatre have created an exciting project for families to help develop a new show! 'The Wishing Tree' is an interactive exhibition of 6 trees that will visit community centres & schools. We’re inviting families with children aged 5-11 to a FREE workshop here at Hilldrop to help develop the show’s content – from character design & creative writing to arts & crafts. Participants will get free tickets to the show this summer!
Workshops run on Saturday 22nd May at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 4pm– book your place here.
Enquiries: LauraH@littleangeltheatre.com
Saturday 22nd May. Free.
April 24, 2021
Elaine Maffrett receives Mayor's Civic Award
Congratulations to our Centre Manager Elaine on receiving a Mayor's Civic Award in recognition of her outstanding work in transforming our centre and developing the Food Hub to meet the changing needs of our community. The Awards, presented by Mayor Cllr. Janet Burgess, honour Islington's unsung community heroes and volunteers for their hard work and dedication during what has been a difficult year for many.
We're incredibly proud of what Elaine's achieved and we'd like to thank everyone who's supported us on this journey, from volunteers (including our tireless mutual aid colleagues), donors & partners, to staff, trustees, and of course, our amazing community for making it all possible!
