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Meet Zoe Pearson who is joining Islington Faces as a trustee. (c) ZP
Everyone has a story. Introducing our newest Islington Faces trustee, Zoe Pearson, 28, who brings creative energy to our board. She’s also a huge fan of Islington life after moving here after lockdown. Q&A by Nicola Baird.
Q: Why did you want to be a trustee?
I think what Islington Faces promotes is a fantastic celebration of community and sharing of stories that otherwise may not be heard. To be a small part of that and support the charity is a wonderful cause as Islington is a such a vibrant, diverse and lively area of London and the people are a massive part of that.
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Q: What’s your connection with Islington?
I have lived in Highbury with my partner for nearly five years now and it feels like home. I moved to London over 10 years ago, but Islington is by far my favourite area that I’ve lived in.
Football fan Zoe Pearson joins Islington Faces as a trustee (c) ZP
Q: Are you a football fan?
Yes of course: I am an Arsenal fan! I also love going to Arsenal WFC games at the Emirates as the sense of community and accessibility for young people and girls in particular is fantastic.
On game days in the borough I love to attend if possible, or watch at home and then join the fans in the best pub on Blackstock Road: the Bank of Friendship, 226 Blackstock Road. Eating Yard Sale pizza there before or after a game is a great way to celebrate, or commiserate…
I live in the old Arsenal stadium, now Highbury Stadium Square, and it’s brilliant. Our living room looks out over the gardens which is what used to be the old pitch, and our bedroom looks over to the new Emirates stadium. So, it’s an Arsenal fan’s dream! There’s a great sense of community within the square, with families and both young and old couples, so feels like a microcosm of North London in a way. I find it funny to look out of our living room window across to other flats and see people watching the same Arsenal game on telly when they’re playing (as there are so many fans that live here).
New Islington Faces trustee, Zoe Pearson, likes going out in the borough. She trained as a dancer so has a special fondness for Sadler’s Wells. (c) ZP
5 places that Zoe Pearson loves in Islington
- I love to eat at Westerns Laundry on 34 Drayton Park, it’s fantastic in the summer to sit out and share plates and drinks with friends.
- Upper Street and the walk down to Angel tube station is a lovely place to leisurely shop: twentytwentyone, 274 Upper Street, is a great interiors store.
- I love doing laps (running or walking) of Highbury Fields in the summer as there’s always a bustling energy there. Tennis players and netball teams, dog walkers and big groups playing games on the green is a people-watchers’ dream.
- I love browsing and chilling in Ink @ 84 bookshop on 84 Highbury Park, at the very top of Blackstock Road. The staff are always super welcoming and they serve great coffee if you want to sit in and read.
- Sadler’s Wells holds a special place in my heart, as I trained to be a dancer. I’ve seen several fantastic shows there but have been blown away by the NYDC performances (the National Youth Dance Company is run by Sadler’s Wells) and their commitment to showcasing young talent.
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New Islington Faces trustee Zoe Pearson (c) NB for Islington Faces
Q: What do you like about Islington and Islington people?
I love the accessibility to green spaces in Islington. Small pockets like Gillespie Park which is also a nature reserve are a wonder to explore, or just pass through on the way elsewhere. On a sunny day I like to take a detour and find a quiet bench there to read a book outside. The people are friendly and charming here. The owner of M.K supermarket at 18 Blackstock Road always has a warm smile when I’m stocking up on parathas and hot peppers, and it makes my day.
We are so delighted that Zoe has joined the Islington Faces trustees and look forward to working with her on all sorts of community projects.
Over to you
If you’d like to nominate someone to be interviewed who grew up, lives or works in Islington, or suggest yourself, please let me know, via nicolabaird dot green at gmail dot com. If you enjoyed this post you might like to look at the A-Z  index, or search by interviewee’s roles or Meet Islingtonians to find friends, neighbours and inspiration. Thanks for stopping by. Nicola
