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14 April 2025 InfoNOW News
15 April 2025
InfoNOW News is out now! Drawn Together, Community VE day fund, Fenham cook together club, public spaces for hire, Lunch and learn Great North Care record and more
21 January 2025 InfoNOW News
Wellbeing Hubs – do you offer a warm and welcoming place?
Wellbeing Hubs are warm welcoming place to spend time in Newcastle. Local venues, such as libraries and community centres, offer a range of support such as hot drinks, free wifi, a place to charge your devices, information, advice and more.
Wellbeing Hubs Grant Fund
Newcastle City Council has set up a £100,000 fund which will support the following;
- A £250 grant will be offered to all places registered as a Wellbeing Hub, by 23 January 2025,
- Registered hubs can also apply for an additional grant to support them in delivering a Wellbeing Hub. Funding can be used to cover:
- Staff costs
- Volunteer costs
- Costs related to increased demand/reach or changes in provision e.g. pots, pans, crockery for a community meal/lunch club or additional equipment for regular craft group
- Cost of on-site food and essential items provision
- Cost of food and drink provision, including tailoring the food/food parcel to meet people’s dietary or cultural needs, e.g., Gluten / wheat free foods etc.
- The fund may be used to support people with cooking items such as a microwave or slow cooker if this is preventing food support from making a difference.
Read more about becoming a Wellbeing Hub on Newcastle.gov.uk
Find out more about funding for Wellbeing Hubs on Newcastle.gov.uk
Supported Employment Service new video
Supported Employment Service at Newcastle City Council helps people who have barriers to employment find and stay in work. They help people to think about their career goals and how to achieve them.
Watch their new video to hear how Stephanie was supported into paid work after taking part in a supported placement with the Support Employment Service
Read more about Support to prepare for work or a job on InformationNOW
Community Wellbeing Small Sparks Celebration
30 January, 1pm to 3pm, Riverside Health Project, Benwell, NE4 8XS
Drop in and connect with others to celebrate recent and ongoing Community Wellbeing projects for those who live, work and play in
the Benwell, Scotswood or Elswick area. These projects have been supported by Small sparks grants from Newcastle Neighbourhoods.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Read more on InformationNOW about Community Wellbeing Small Sparks Celebration
VCSE Digital day
Are you a VCSE organisation wanting to improve your digital skills and engage more people? Join a free VCSE day of digital learning from Digital Voice for Communities and Connected Voice.
- Creative Community Consultation: how to hear what your community wants
- Introduction to Web and Social Media Management
- Simple Digital Content Creation for Social Media.
Digital Voice are also available for drop-ins on digital storytelling, digital inclusion and engaging reluctant digital learners
Attendance is free, with a maximum of two people per organisation. It is open to VCSE organisations working in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Read more on InformationNOW about Digital Learning Day for VCSE organisations
Adult Social Care Survey 2024-25
Do you get help from Adult Social Care? Whether you attend a day centre or get care at home, share your thoughts and opinions on the services you use to help improve our services now and in the future.
Newcastle City Council are sending questionnaires to a sample of people who receive care and support services from Adult Social Care and Prevention at Newcastle City Council This is to get feedback on their quality of life and their experience of the care that they receive.
It is part of the national Adult Social Care Survey for people who are over 18 and who use adult social care.
Anyone who needs further information or support can contact Adult Social CarePoint via [email protected], or 0191 278 8377.
You can find national information about last years Adult Social Care Survey on NHS England here
Read more on InformationNOW about Adult Social Care
Bus Fare Cap for 2025
A reminder that from January 2025, single fares will be capped at £2.50 across almost all bus services in Tyne & Wear, County Durham and Northumberland. This is 50p lower than the national recommended single fare cap of £3. You can find out more information on North East Bus Travel at northeast-ca.gov.uk
The fare cap has been introduced by the North East Combined authority through the North East Enhanced Partnership Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) . For more information on the BSIP or the North East Enhanced Partnership, please contact the bus team on [email protected].
You can find out more information about the fare cap and ticketing on each bus providers website below:
Read more on InformationNOW about Public transport or day trips and visits by bus
NGPS Health Bus 2025
Newcastle GP Services (NGPS) health bus is back for 2025! NGPS work on behalf of all GP practices in Newcastle providing health services in your community from their community health bus.
Get involved in health research studies and contribute to finding cures and treatments for a range of conditions and diseases like cancer, diabetes, dementia and heart disease. Come and see the NGPS research team on the bus on the following dates:
28 January- 10am to 4pm
Venue TBC
4 February – 10am to 4pm
Newcastle University, KGVI building, Queen Victoria Road, NE1 4LF
11 February – 10am to 4pm
ASDA, Byker
18 February – 10am to 4pm
venue TBC
25 February – 10am to 4pm
Newcastle University, KGVI building, Queen Victoria Road, NE1 4LF
4 March – 10am to 4pm
venue TBC
11 March – 10am to 4pm
venue TBC
18 March – 10am to 4pm
Newcastle University, KGVI building, Queen Victoria Road, NE1 4LF
25 March – 10am to 4pm
Newcastle University, KGVI building, Queen Victoria Road, NE1 4LF
There is also a Health bus day at the end of January. No appointment needed, just turn up to get health advice, your blood pressure checked, or your cholesterol monitored by Newcastle Community Health Services team
31 January – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Health check-ins at Bilal Jamia Mosque (Elswick Mosque), Malvern Street, NE4 6SU
Read more on InformationNOW about getting involved in health research
SPOTLIGHT ON
Healthworks celebrates 30 years
Healthworks is an award-winning charity and support people of all ages across the North East to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
They began life in 1995 in the west end of Newcastle and have since grown to deliver health and wellbeing services across the region.
Throughout 2025 they will be celebrating 30 years of reducing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of people of all ages.
Watch their ‘Quick Guide to Healthworks‘ video and read their latest Impact Report.
Read more on InformationNOW about Healthworks
Holocaust Memorial Day 2025
Holocaust memorial day on 27 January remembers the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi Persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur
To commemorate Holocaust memorial day the annual Brundibar Arts festival takes place from 18 January. You can view the full festival programme on their website here
There are also several free events being held for holocaust memorial day:
23 January 2025
A Living Tradition: Remembering the Relief of Belsen – City Library
24 January 2025
A Living Tradition: Remembering the Relief of Belsen – West End library
29 January 2025
Curators of Change ‘Over a Brew’ Sessions
31 January to 28 November 2025, 10:30am to 12pm, Online
Every last Friday of the month North East ADASS and Curators of Change are holding virtual coffee sessions to share ideas, collaborate, and work towards a better adult social care system. These sessions are for anyone interested in making a difference to social care, whether you’re a person accessing care, a carer, a commissioner, or someone working in or with social care services.
Read more on InformationNOW about ‘Over a Brew’ – Growing coproduction with lived experience of adult social care in The North East
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
Walker social housing design workshop
23 January 2025 9.30am to 4.30pm
Are you a resident of social housing over the age of 18 in Walker? Would you like to take part in a one day workshop to share ideas to shape the future of homes like yours?
No particular skills or experience are required. The workshop will take place at St Martins Centre
To find out more please contact Lucy on 07986775160, or [email protected]
You can also book a place using their expression of interest form here
those selected to take part will receive lunch, refreshments and a £100 thank you payment.
Read more on InformationNOW about housing
New Year New Job roadshows
Looking to start a new job or change roles? Want to make a difference and serve local communities? Have you considered working for your local council?
Come along to speak to Newcastle City Council staff about a variety of roles within Newcastle City Council, the benefits and the opportunities available. New Year New Job roadshows are hapening acorss the city on the following dates:
- 30 January, 10am to 12pm, at Newcastle Civic Centre, NE1 8QH
- 3 February, 10am to 12pm, Walkerdome Activity Centre, Wharrier Street, NE6 3BR
- 7 February, 10am to 12pm, Galafield Centre, Newbiggin Lane, NE5 1LZ
If you are interested in attending a New Year New Job Newcastle Roadshow you can register to attend for free here
Read more on InformationNOW about Looking for a job or work
Connected Voice Networking Event – Space, property and place: making buildings work for us
5 February 2025, 2pm. to 4pm, Brunswick Methodist Church, Brunswick Place, Newcastle, NE1 7BJ
In a recent survey of voluntary sector leaders in Newcastle and Gateshead, space, property and place were highlighted as essential factors for the success of almost all VCSE sector organisations. They noted multiple benefits of ownership but also noted that the maintenance of premises was an ongoing and significant drain on resources – both in terms of capacity and in terms of funding.
Connected Voice are holding a network event to explore together these issues from a practical perspective, including:
- To build or not to build?
- How to fund your building maintenance and development
- Building maintenance best practice
- Renting out your space to bring in income
- What are Community Land Trusts and how might they help
Speakers with real-world expertise and experience will provide some initial input but we will be making sure there’s significant time for everyone to network and share ideas, as well as visiting information stalls.
You can find out more and register for free on Connected Voice
Read more on InformationNOW about Accessible venues in Newcastle
DBS and North East VCSE Organisations – Eligibility, ID, and how to support people with obtaining DBS Checks
The Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) are running a series of workshops on eligibility and identification issues when applying for a DBS check. These sessions are for North East VCSE Organisations who need to give advice and make decisions about what levels of DBS checks should be applied for; and those who work to support people into volunteering opportunities – in particular those where typical DBS ID routes cannot be followed.
The aim of this workshop is to understand:
- the benefits of DBS and you (employer or voluntary organisation) working together
- the different levels of DBS check and when an employee is eligible for a check
- what ‘regulated activity’ is
- what the fingerprint route is and when to use it
- the safe recruitment practices that can be in place, with DBS checks forming a part of these
- Q&A
The workshop will look at DBS eligibility; and what to do when DBS ID validation routes cannot be used. This would be useful for any organisations who support people into volunteering placements when the typical ID routes cannot be utilised, as well as organisations who support those seeking asylum and refugees into volunteering opportunities.
22 January 2025
2pm – 3:30pm
11February 2025
10am – 11:30pm
If you have any queries about these sessions you can contact Julia Mitchinson at [email protected]
Read more on InformationNOW about Volunteering
CONSULTATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
31 January 2025.
Newcastle City Council would like to plant more trees in our city suburbs with the aim of increasing the tree canopy across the city, expanding the species variety to be more climate and disease resilient and to provide structure and visual features to larger green spaces in our communities. They would like to hear from residents in Blakelaw Park, Kenton Dene, Slatyford, South Gosforth and Newbiggin Hall about Community Tree Planting.
The community tree planting scheme focuses on tree planting in key open spaces in the city’s suburbs. The schemes have also been designed to enhance biodiversity by providing natural habits for wildlife and help promote physical outdoor activity such as walking and playing.
On larger sites some of the trees are to be planted in small groups and the grass mowing regime reduced to an annual cut with the longer-term aspiration to establish more diverse wildflower meadows in our park and recreation areas.
All schemes have a strong community component through existing partnerships and groups with aspirations to improve the open spaces or through using the tree planting schemes as a way to positively engage young people in their local environment. Your local neighbourhood is one of the places where the community tree planting project will add benefits to the environment, and the social, health and wellbeing aspect of the place where you live.
There are six schemes in the city -:
• Slatyford Dene, and Caroline Pit
• D2 Youth Zone, Newbiggin Hall
Each scheme within the project is unique and will reflect the local landscape and aspirations of the community. Find out about existing and purposed trees in your area on the new Newcastle City Council Tree Portal here:
Go to the site and click on the ‘map of trees’, use the search function or move around the map to find the area you are interested in and click on a tree to get more details and leave a comment. You can also report problems, make enquiries about existing or proposed trees, and give us suggestions for where you would like to see new planting.
If you require a paper copy of the surveys, you have questions, or you need information in another format (such as large print), please contact the Communities Team [email protected] or telephone: 0191 277 3560
You can also share your views on Let’s Talk Newcastle
Read more on InformationNOW about Parks, gardens, forests and woodlands
Service User and Carer Reference Group – Addiction Services
13 February 2025, 10am to 4pm, St James Park, Strawberry Place, NE1 4ST
CNTW NHS Trusts first Service User and Carer Reference Group of 2025 is focussing on the theme of Addiction Services.
There will also be a personal story shared, along with Addiction services information and discussions, followed by table top exercise’s.
Join for a 10am start with tea’s and coffee from 9:30 am.
If you wish to attend this day please take care whilst travelling to and from the venue, especially in adverse weather conditions.
You can book a place at this event on Eventbrite here
Read more on informationNOW about Addictions
Homelessness Mental Health Recommissioning Market Engagement Event.
29 January 2025, 11am to 2pm, Cruddas Room, Benton Park House (Previously YHN House).
A Market Engagement event is being held for any organisation interested in learning more about Newcastle City Council’s commissioning intentions to prevent Homelessness, specifically focussed on the Mental Health aspect.
Venue:
If anybody would like to attend the event, please either register via the OPEN Portal (All Suppliers wishing to bid for public sector opportunities issued by Newcastle City Council will be required to register on the Open platform which is free to register and use. Register here For support contact [email protected]).
The opportunity can be found under the search Code and Category ‘321021 – Homeless Support’ amongst others, or please feel free to contact Peter Marsh ([email protected]).
Read more on InformationNOW about Homeless or worried about becoming homeless
Family Hub survey
Are you a parent or carer of a child aged 0-19 years old (or up to 25 years old with special educational needs or disabilities SEND)? You are invited to take part in a short family experience survey to share your views on family hubs.
Family hubs provide a range of support and activities for families in your local area, such as infant feeding support, youth services, and mental health support.
By entering the survey, you will be entered into a prize draw to be in with a chance of winning a £100 shopping voucher.
You can complete the survey here
You can find your nearest families hub in Newcastle on Children and Families Newcastle.org.uk
RESEARCH & REPORTS
AI Speech to text augmented reality BSL study
22 January 2025, 9:30am to 2pm,
This study from Plymouth University in partnership with Soundview Media Ltd is exploring the use of innovative artificial intelligence (AI) technology that will convert speech to text and display it via AR (augmented reality) eye wear and a smartphone app.
Deaf, hearing impaired and neuro-diverse people will be able to view personalised subtitles in smart glasses and not be limited by the low number of subtitled screenings of films, TV & media.
Read more about the project on Includiverse’s website here
Newcastle Deaf Centre are holding a British sign language interpreted session as part of this study for d/Deaf and people with hearing impairments to preview the technology and share their views.
If you are interested please contact them to book a place
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0191 232 4104
Whatsapp: 07904881430
Read more on InformationNOW about getting involved in community research and engagement
TRAINING & RESOURCES
Detached Youth Work training
29 January, 1pm to 4pm, Newcastle Carers, 135-139 Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle, NE6 1DN
This free in-person training will be delivered by Jon Niblo, CEO of NE Youth and former Chair of the Federation for Detached Youth Work.
The training will aim to:
- Increase confidence, knowledge and skills around Detached Youth Work
- Build on current understanding and explore the similarities and key differences in this method of work
- Explore some real-life scenarios experienced by Detached Youth Workers
Secure your free place here.
Read more on InformationNOW about Baby, children and young people’s health
Volunteering Good Practice Guides
Volunteering Good Practice Guides are now available to support organisations and volunteers across the North of Tyne.
Developed with Connected Voice, Volunteer Centre Newcastle, Volunteer Centre North Tyneside and NCVA Northumberland Community & Voluntary Action, these free resources include:
- The Quick Guide to Volunteer Management
- Creating Different Types of Volunteering Opportunities
- Using Digital to Support Your Volunteers
- A Guide to Informal Volunteering and Social Action
Read the Volunteering Guides on VODA here
Read more on InformationNOW about Volunteering
VCSE training: Elements
Are you part of a charity—volunteer, staff member, or trustee? Elements platform offers free online training courses to help you build essential knowledge and boost your skills.
The courses are short (up to 1 hour) and you can study whenever it suits you
Courses include:
An introduction to understanding climate change
Adult Safeguarding Essentials
Children & Young People’s Safeguarding
Introduction to Volunteering
Charity Finance Essentials
Good Governance
Good Fundraising: Success With Grant Applications
Getting to Grips with Your Charity Governing Document
Elements – eLearning | Connected Voice
Read more on InformationNOW about Lifelong Learning
UPCOMING EVENTS
Byker in Focus
6 February 2025, 6pm to 7:30pm, The Farrell Centre
An event exploring how Byker has been documented and represented over the last 50 years, with Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen and Silvie Fisch. The event coincides with a new display The Fight for Byker and Other Stories
Read more about Byker in Focus on InformationNOW
Recoco 2025 groups
ReCoCo: The Recovery College Collective have new and returning support groups, wellbeing activities and mental health workshops for 2025.
Upcoming Recoco sessions include:
22 January 2025, 1pm to 3pm
Recoco Geek group – Information Now
29 January 2025, 10am to 12pm
4 February 2025, 11am to 12pm
Recoco carers support group – Information Now
13 February 2025, 1pm – 2pm
Recoco LGBT group – Information Now
You can view the new January 2025 ReCoCo prospectus for a full list of groups, activities and workshops here
Read more on InformationNOW about Mental Health
Deaf Wednesday club
Newcastle Deaf centre run a weekly group, Deaf Wednesday club with activities, socialising and support.
The next Deaf Wednesday club is Wednesday 22 January 2025.
They also have drop in service sessions with Deaflink at Newcastle Deaf Centre on:
- 22 January 2025 Deaflink drop in service
- 12 February 2025 Deaflink drop in service
- 26 February 2025 Deaflink drop in service
Read more on InformationNOW about Deaf and hard of hearing support
Chinese and Lunar New Year celebration
There will be food vendors, stalls , fairground rounds and an arts & craft tent. There will also be the annual parade featuring musicians, performers and the traditional lion and dragon dance procession.
Friends of Lemington Ward
5 February 2025, The Board Room, The Lemington Centre, 12 to 2pm
Do you want to talk with other residents in Lemington about how to improve your local area?
Why not join a friends of lemington ward meeting supported by the EPiC team to discuss the development of a new community group –
This will be the first meeting for anyone who is interested in getting involved and will be an opportunity to meet others in your area to discuss your interests and ideas.
Read more about this event on InformationNOW
NEW & UPDATED ORGANISATIONS
Triage
New organisation
Triage provides skills and workplace training, as well as employability services that help people secure a job, progress in the workplace and build meaningful careers. They have over 50 different free courses with a wide range of qualifications are offered across North East England. The service supports people over the age of 19 who earn less that £20,319 a year, to develop new skills and practical qualifications which can lead to jobs. Course available include:
- Health and Social Care
- Manufacturing and Warehouse
- Digital Skills
- Retail and Hospitality
- Skills for Life
- Business Admin and Customer Service
Read more on informationNOW about looking for a job or work
Flippin’ Pain
New organisation
Flippin’ Pain shares the latest (often surprising) science of pain with people in the UK. This knowledge can help people to reduce the effects of persistent pain, feel more in control, and even start the journey to recovery.
If you’re struggling, caring for someone in pain, or just interested in preventing pain for the future, visit their website for more information.
Flippin’ Pain is a public health campaign working to change the way we think about, talk about and treat persistent pain
Read more about Chronic pain on Information Now
British Liver Trust
New organisation
The British Liver Trust provide free support for anyone affected by a liver condition. They have a free telephone helpline staffed by expert liver nurses. You can talk to them if you or someone you love has been affected by liver disease or liver cancer, or you are worried about your liver health. They also have:
- free information
- online support groups
- online community on Health Unlocked
- liver health awareness resources such as online liver health screener tool
Read more about Support Groups
NEW & UPDATED ORGANISATIONS
Accessible venues in Newcastle
Updated article
When planning a trip to Newcastle you need to know if the place that you want to visit is accessible. Help is available to make your visit as easy as possible. There’s also information on considering if your venue is accessible
Read more on InformationNOW about Accessible venues in Newcastle
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Last updated: February 4, 2025
