22 September 2025 InfoNOW news

NEWS

InformationNOW

So far in September 2025, 116,012 people have visited InformationNOW.org.uk to find trusted advice, local services, and support across Newcastle.

Webpages have been viewed 1,166,380 times. From health and wellbeing to housing, money, and community events.

Whether you’re a resident looking for information or an organisation offering services, InformationNOW is here to help.

• If your organisation, group or service is on InformationNOW – why not make sure your information is up to date so people can find and access your services easily?
• If you are part of a organisation, service, community group or community venue and you arent on InformationNOW – Why not register today?

Visit www.informationnow.org.uk today and keep Newcastle connected.

Civic Centre jobs fair 2025

9 October 2025, 10am to 2pm, Newcastle Civic Centre. Barras Bridge, NE1 8QH

If you are looking for work come along to the Newcastle Civic centre jobs fair , to meet a range of local and regional employers, training providers and organisations that can help you to find your next job.

Are you looking for work? Change careers? Or move up the career ladder? Then don’t miss the Newcastle Civic Centre Jobs Fair!
Organised by Newcastle City Council, in partnership with Job Centre Plus, meet top employers and training providers all under one roof, including:

• Amazon
• Armed Forces
• NHS
• Network Rail
• Tesco
• Newcastle City Council (with a wide variety of roles)

Whether you’re just starting out, ready for a change, or looking to grow your skills, this is your chance to connect directly with employers who are hiring right now.

Read more and book a space at the Jobs fair on InformationNOW

Newcastle Neighbourhood Networks October 2025! 

1 to 9 October 2025, various venues

We are excited to invite you to Neighbourhood networking events happening across Newcastle!

These events provide a fantastic opportunity for voluntary and community sector organisations, faith groups, local businesses and statutory organisations to come together to network and collaborate.

This is a chance to share experiences that we can all use to inform community services and improve delivery across our city.

Newcastle Neighbourhood Network: East at Ray Gray Community Centre
1 October 2025, 1.30pm to 3.30pm (registration from 1pm)

Newcastle Neighbourhood Network: North at MERA (Montagu Estate Residents’ Association) Hall
2 October 2025, 1.30pm to 3.30pm (registration from 1pm)

Newcastle Neighbourhood Network: Inner West at  The Beacon
6 October 2025, 1.30pm to 3.30pm (registration from 1pm)

Newcastle Neighbourhood Network: Outer West at West Denton Community Centre
9 October 2025, 10.30am to 12.30pm (registration from 10am)

We would request people please  book a place as space is limited in the venues and where possible restrict to two team members per team for each event.

You can register your place at these events using the form here: Newcastle Neighbourhood network event registration October 2025

Read more about Newcastle Neighbourhoods on InformationNOW

Disability North 40th birthday

24 October 2025, Bookable sessions between 11:30am to 7pm

You are invited to Disability North’s 40th Anniversary Celebration! Join for a party with entertainment, food, and a showcase of their past and future events. It’s a chance to celebrate their history and be part of their future, share your ideas, and speak directly with the team about how they can continue to support disabled people across the North East.

Based near the Freeman Hospital, Disability North is a Disabled Persons Organisation that:

• Supports disabled people, older people, and their families across the North East.
• Provides information, advice, and advocacy on equipment, housing, employment, benefits, and independent living.
• Runs events, training, and forums to promote inclusion and accessibility.
• Aims to empower disabled people with choice, control, and independence in their lives.

Meet other support services, including:

• PRS Inclusion Services Team – Courses and employability support for disabled people.
•  A Time 2 Talk – Counselling and Well-being
• Age UK – Promoting wellbeing and independence in later life.
• Liveasy Shop

You can also try your luck at Tombola, explore the Disability History Walls – a powerful visual journey through 40 years of Disability North and enjoy live entertainment!

There are 3 sessions running throughout the day, so you can choose a time that suits you:

Session 1 – 11:30am to 1:45pm

Session 2 – 2:30pm to 4:25pm

Session 3 – 5pm to 7pm

Each session has information about the range of support Disability North provides, a chance to chat and entertainment.

Read more about this event and book a session time on InformationNOW

Emergency Services Day: Becoming Visible

25 September 2025,10am to 4pm, Brunswick Methodist Church, Brunswick Place, NE1 7BJ

Join Becoming Visible for an Emergency services day tailored for d/Deaf people. Everyone is welcome including families. A range of emergency services will be there on the day including:

• Fire
• Ambulance
• Police
• Mountain Rescue
• RNLI

Activities include:

• See emergency vehicles up close with demonstrations and displays
• Join Workshops
• Free lunch and refreshments for Deaf people

There will be emergency services advice and guidance for Deaf People on:

• How to contact emergency services
• Who to report to
• What to report
• What to do if communicating with different services

Read more about d/Deaf and hard of hearing support

Carents Day

9 October 2025, Online

The Carents Room are launching the very first Carent’s Day on 9 October 2025.

It’s a nationwide day to celebrate and support people caring for their mum, dad or both – where life can get busy, and the days are full of doing what needs to be done. Carents Day is about giving something back: time, space and practical tools just for you.

There’s no cost, no guilt, and no pressure – just free online sessions. Stay for an hour or grab ten minutes with a cuppa

Sessions include:

• Dealing with guilt – practical ways to quiet that voice that says you’re never doing enough.
• Creative writing workshop – a gentle space to reflect and share stories.
• Fitness advice for real life – tips on staying active when time is short.

Register for Carents room and join their Carents day event on their website

Read more about Looking after someone on InformationNOW

Dementia day service expansion

Living Well North‘s Dementia day service is expanding!

• Expanding to 5 days per week, offering greater flexibility for families and professionals
• Opening a new, purpose-designed location to enhance comfort and capacity (details to follow soon)
• Providing daily transport, ensuring safer, more accessible attendance

About the service

provides tailored activities and support for people living with dementia. The day service is a warm, structured, and stimulating environment where people can engage in meaningful activities, maintain independence, and enjoy social connection. Hosted at Denton Burn Methodist Church

The day service includes:

• Cognitive stimulation and memory-focused sessions (e.g., music, reminiscence, themed activities)

• Creative arts, games, gentle exercise, and social conversation
• A freshly prepared lunch and refreshments throughout the day
• Tailored support plans developed with individuals and families
• Transport available, subject to availability and individual needs

Read more about Dementia Friendly Newcastle on InformationNOW

SPOTLIGHT ON

Menopause Awareness Month: Virtual Reality discussion session

11 October 2025, 1pm, Bewick room, Newcastle City Library,

Ellie Land presents an immersive session for women exploring experiences of the menopause. Using VR headsets this film-based project, uses women’s personal stories of the menopause to educate, stimulate discussion, challenge stigma, and develop understanding.

This event is designed to provide a deeper understanding of menopause through this interactive activity and feedback session.

Book a space for this event on Newcastle Libraries EventBrite

Read more on InformationNOW about Sexual health

Digital Skills assessments at City Learning

OPPORTUNITIES

Talk Money Week: Protecting Communities from Financial Harm

5 November 2025, 1pm to 2:30pm, Online

 Join for a dynamic and practical webinar that brings together national experts to tackle the financial threats facing individuals and communities today. From fraud and illegal lending to gambling harm and financial resilience, this session will help you stay informed, protected and empowered.

1. Economic Crime Prevention – West Yorkshire Police
2. Stop Loan Sharks – Illegal Money Lending Team England
3. Gambling Related Harm – NECCA and Bradford Council
4. Finance and Community Development – BDCU

Read more and book a space on EventBrite here

Read more on InformationNOW about Fraud and scams

Read more on InformationNOW about Arts in Newcastle

If you are a community group interested in participating in the summit exhibition, please fill out this form.

Book a space at this event on InformationNOW

Book a space at this event on Information Now

Read more about Hate crime on InformationNOW

The information session can provide you with:
– An understanding of the challenges carers face.
– Information about Newcastle Carers and the services we provide.
– Knowledge about further organisations in Newcastle that help carers.
– Information about how to make referrals to Newcastle Carers.
– Resources to support you when working with carers.

The next face to face session at Newcastle Carers is available on 2 October 2025, 2pm to 3pm.

Carer Awareness for Professionals sessions are delivered in person and online (over Microsoft Teams). Find out more about their free training sessions on Newcastle Carers website.

To book a Carer Awareness for Professionals session, call Carers Information Line on 0191 275 5060 or send us an email at [email protected].

Read more on top tips for supporting carers in the workplace on InformationNOW

CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT

Support for Newcastle’s Voluntary and Community Sector survey

Help Shape the Future of Support for Newcastle’s Voluntary and Community Sector!

Newcastle City Council wants to hear your views on the current and future support needs of the voluntary and community sector (VCSE) in Newcastle. Your feedback will help us shape the services that support all organisations working in the Voluntary and Community sector, making a real difference in our neighbourhoods and across the city.

Connected Voice offers independent support to help organisations grow and strengthen. This includes information about funding, training, governance, and organisational development.

Volunteering Matters host Volunteer Centre Newcastle who support volunteering across the city by:

• Promoting volunteering opportunities
• Matching and signposting volunteers
• Helping organisations create meaningful roles
• Providing guidance on volunteer engagement and best practice

Whether you’ve used these services or not – your views can help shape the future of support for Newcastle’s Voluntary and Community Sector, such as:

• What support you currently need
• Your experience with existing services
• Your awareness of what’s available
• What you’ll need in the future

Please share your views by completing the online survey here: Current & future support needs for the VCSE sector survey

If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact: [email protected]

A provider engagement forum will be published on OPEN for potential providers and will be held in mid-October. Register here For support contact [email protected]. Search using Project # OPEN20251629 or use the codes 321000 401007

You can find the largest range of VCSE organisations in Newcastle on InformationNOW’s organisation directory

Support for Newcastle’s Voluntary and Community Sector engagement sessions

You can also share your views in more detail on the currently funded two key contracts that provide infrastructure support to the VCSE sector:

• Connected Voice offers independent support to help organisations grow and strengthen. This includes information about funding, training, governance, and organisational development.
• Volunteering Matters host Volunteer Centre Newcastle promote and support volunteering opportunities, guidance and volunteer engagement in Newcastle.

You can do this by either joining online engagement sessions or attend the upcoming Newcastle Neighbourhood network sessions:

Newcastle Neighbourhood Network sessions (See NEWS section)

1 October East event 1.30 – 3.30 Ray Grey Centre

2 October North event 1.30 – 3.30 MERA Hall Kenton

6 October Inner West event 1.30 – 3.30 Beacon

9 October Outer West event 10.30 – 12.30 West Denton Community Centre

Infrastructure Support Needs – Online Engagement Sessions

7 October 2025 1.30pm to 2pm

15 October 9.30am to 10am

Book an online session by contacting [email protected]

Read more about services commissioned by Newcastle City Council on Information Now

Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) Impact Network.

Deadline 27 September 2025, 5pm

Organisations in the North East are invited to share their insights to help shape a new Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) Impact Network.

KYN is a £29m Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) programme that widens participation in volunteering and tackles loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England. To extend this work in the North East region, DCMS and the Arts Council England are supporting a pilot Impact Network bringing together KYN delivery partners and wider organisations.

What the Impact Network will do

• Explore opportunities for collaboration
• Share learning and strengthen connections across the region
• Explore ways to address the stigma of loneliness, boost volunteering and connect people with community-based activities

This will be a co-designed initiative – designed, delivered and run by the people and organisations who take part. Your insight now will ensure it is inclusive and genuinely useful.

Add your voice
Please complete this brief survey by

Read more on InformationNOW about getting involved in your community

REPORTS AND RESOURCES

NECA Gambling Harm course

NECA (North East Council on Addictions) are delivering a fully funded course on gambling harm for those working in a public facing role or who are interested in learning more about how gambling related harm can impact individuals.

‘Bet You Can Help Now!’ is a 90-minute awareness raising workshop accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health. The session is designed to:

• Develop knowledge, skills, and understanding around gambling related harm (GRH).
• Raise awareness of the impact of gambling on health and wellbeing.
• Equip learners with the confidence to support those at risk or affected by gambling related harm.
• Provide clear guidance on signposting individuals to appropriate specialist services.

The next available dates are:

• Wednesday 8th October
• Thursday 23rd October
• Thursday 6th November
• Wednesday 26th November

To find out more and register your interest email [email protected]

Read an online poster about the course here

Read more on InformationNOW about support for addictions and harmful behaviours

Health and diet inequalities dashboard 

The Food Foundation have published a new Health and Diet Inequalities Dashboard,  funded by the Nuffield Foundation, that shows the health and dietary differences between areas and regions across England.  

The dashboard has local data on:

• Obesity
• Dental decay
• Type 2 diabetes
• Life expectancy
• Child poverty
• Food insecurity
• Fast food

You can access the dashboard on their website here  

Read more about Food in Newcastle on InformationNOW

Cultural Competency training

Connected Voice have a series of new dates for their Cultural Competency training. The cultural competency training is funded by Newcastle Public Health team and informed by the experiences of people from local communities through the Haref Network. It is free for staff and volunteers designing and delivering services in Newcastle upon Tyne, who wish to improve their reach of services with ethnically marginalised communities

• Monday 29 September, 1:30pm – 4pm Online
• Monday 6 October 1:30pm – 4pm Online
• Wednesday 15 October 10am – 12:30pm
• Monday 20 October 1:30pm – 4pm
• Wednesday 29 October 10am – 12:30pm

Book Cultural Competency: Working with ethnically marginalised communities and other training  on Connected Voice’s website

Read more on InformationNOW about Health Inequalities

Spotlight on Advocacy

Advocacy can make a real difference when supporting and safeguarding people. Your Voice Counts have produced a 7-minute briefing on Statutory Advocacy – a quick, accessible way to refresh your knowledge of:

• The different types of advocacy and what makes each unique
• How statutory advocacy empowers individuals to speak up for their rights
• The vital role advocacy plays in keeping people safe and heard

Please take a moment to read the briefing, share within your team, and spark important conversations across your service area.

View the Advocacy 7 minute briefing document here

Read more on InformationNOW about advocacy

UPCOMING EVENTS

Northumberland dark skies

27 September 2025, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Hauxley Wildlife centre, Northumberland, NE65 0JR

Dr Adrian Jannetta guides you through the dark skies of Northumberland. You will get the chance to use the telescope (housed in the Hauxley observatory) and weather permitting, get to see the wonders of the night sky.

Tickets £12

Exploring the Milky Way, 27 September 2025, 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Death from above, how the universe is trying to kill you! 25 October 2025, 6pm to 8pm

A hitchhikers guide to the solar system, 22 November 2025, 5.30pm to 8pm

Read more about Parks, gardens, forests and woodlands on InformationNOW

Apple Day at Scotswood garden

4 October 2025, 11am to 3pm, Scotswood Garden, Muscott Grove, NE15 6TT

Visit Scotswood garden for Apple Day, a harvest celebration and family friednly event for all ages. Includes actvities such as

• Apple Juicing
• Book launch and storytelling
• scavenger hunt
• nature bioblitz
• games and prizes

Read more about Apple Day (Scotswood garden 30th birthday) on Information Now

Will Guys session at St Martins Centre

30 September 2025, 10am to 2pm, St Martin’s Centre, Roman Avenue, NE6 2RJ

Join this session for an informal drop in with ‘the will guys’. Find out more and have a chat about wills, trusts and lasting power of attorney.

Read more about this event on Information Now

Read more about Planning ahead for later life on InformationNOW

Sing and Socialise

26 September 2025, 11am to 12pm, St Georges church, St George’s Close, Jesmond, NE2 2TF

Dementia Friendly singing sessions every Friday at St George’s Church in Jesmond . No prior singing experience needed, a special welcome to those affected by dementia in any way.

Read more about this event on Information Now

Common Thread with Ilisha Thiru Purcell

15 October 2025, 5:30pm to 7pm, Alphabetti Theatre

Common Thread is a creative writing evening at Alphabetti Theatre focused on sharing stories and companion writing. In this book club/writing workshop hybrid evening, Poet and writer Ilisha guides you through monthly themes and a curation of written pieces,

Common Thread with Ilisha Thiru Purcell – Information Now

NEW AND UPDATED ON INFONOW

Home from Hospital

Updated organisation

The Home from Hospital and Community Support project helps people in Newcastle recover safely at home after a hospital stay, or when they need a bit of extra support. This may be because they are socially isolated, have health issues, or don’t have people to support them. They provide social, emotional or practical support,

Volunteer centre Newcastle, The Good Neighbours Project and Home from Hospital have also recently moved premises to Grainger Hub, Maybrook House, 27 Grainger Street

Read more about Home from Hospital on InformationNOW

Project 17

New organisation

Project 17 are a charity who work with migrant families with no recourse to public funds (people who cannot get benefits or other financial support). They provide advice, advocacy, and financial support.

Read more about Project 17 on InformationNOW

Becoming Visible

Updated organisation

Becoming Visible is North East charity that supports the d/Deaf, British Sign Language community, Their services include British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter services, BSL training courses a children’s and youth service, events and actvities and more

Read more about Becoming Visible on InformationNOW

Radio Tyneside

Updated organisation

Radio Tyneside is a radio station which broadcasts to the general public as well as hospital patients and to the hospital community in Newcastle and Gateshead.  They play easy listening music 24 hours a day, sharing community information with listeners and local football commentaries.

Support for addictions and harmful behaviours

updated article

Addiction is when you are unable to stop yourself from taking a substance or carrying out an activity. Even if it causes you or others mental and physical harm. People with addictions can be treated badly or looked down on – known as stigma – even though addiction is a health problem not a choice.

There are many different organisations that provide treatment, support and advice to people with addictions.

Read more about support for addictions and harmful behaviours on Information Now

Last updated: September 23, 2025