Rose Bowl Islington

Rose Bowl is a play and youth provision for children and young people aged 8 - 21. We provide a fun, friendly and inclusive environment aimed to build resilience, aid social skills, and improve physical and mental health.

We are open during the school term and holidays at different times for our various age ranges. All our services are free of charge and we welcome people from all backgrounds and areas. Activities include arts, crafts, cooking, outdoor play and gardening, sports, music production and general play and youth sessions.

Staff at Rose Bowl also have a wealth of experience supporting young people with career advice and guidance. In addition to mentoring, we provide exposure to industry skills gaps and identify entry requirements and pathways. We work alongside Islington Council’s careers team as well as other training providers.

We also work closely with other Islington youth support sevices who are part of our prgramme. These include Pulse, Abianda and Islington Drug and Alcohol Advice Service.

The Rose Bowl building is a purpose built youth centre in the heart of Canonbury, on the edge of New River Estate. Over three floors it has a garden, roof terrace, sports area, music studio, art space and fitted kitchen.

Rose Bowl was first opened in 1978 and named after Ron Rose, a popular community worker. It was redeveloped in 1999 and again in 2010. Rose Bowl is rooted in its immediate community. It is supported by the local fundraising group Friends of the Rose Bowl, who match the council’s contribution to its running costs. Together we tackle issues of social exclusion through play and youth work, linking closely with other community groups in the area.

The centre is also funded through income generated by hiring out the spaces at Rose Bowl and Lift to local businesses and organisations when they are not being used by young people. Rose Bowl is managed by Isledon Arts CIC.