27 March 2025 InfoNOW News

27 March 2025 InfoNOW News

InformationNOW


Did you know on InformationNOW we have information on…

Autism local support services

Finding friends and Befriending services

Learning disability local support services 

Supported living or housing services for people with a learning disability or autism 

Want to add your events and activities to InformationNOW? Use our quick and easy events form here

InformationNOW: Do you have a public space for hire?

Do you have a community room, venue or space for hire?

InformationNOW are currently updating our Public Spaces for hire article to support communities, organisations and professionals looking for venues in Newcastle upon Tyne.

If you have a public space, free space or community venue for hire, or r if you see your organisation listed and would like to update or add more detail about your spaces for hire, please get in touch at [email protected] 

Read more on InformationNOW about Public Spaces for hire

The Newcastle Fund 2025

Newcastle City Council are launching Round 15 of the Newcastle Fund on 28 March 2025, to support projects being delivered in 2025/26.

The Newcastle Fund is the primary grant fund for VCSE organisations to harness the energy and assets that exist in our communities and unlock (often untapped) potential to improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities.

The Fund provides grants for project specific and core running costs that enable residents to build sustainable community resources and improve the quality of people’s lives.

There is a budget of £500,000 available in Round 15, and they’re looking to award grants up to a maximum amount of £25,000 that meet the Newcastle Fund aims of:
•    Building community connection
•    Improve individuals’ connections
•    Improve health and wellbeing

Bidding organisations are also encouraged to consider how their projects support the Council’s overarching priorities of:
•    Net zero
•    Anti-poverty
•    Inclusive economy

You can read the Newcastle Fund 2025 prospectus here

Read more about the Newcastle Fund including eligibility and how to apply on Newcastle.gov.uk here

Read more on InformationNOW about community centres and community hubs 

Welcome to Newcastle event

15 April, 12pm to 2pm Bewick Hall. Level 2, City Library, NE1 8AX.

Are you new to Newcastle, seeking sanctuary or a newly recognised refugee?  Join the Welcome to Newcastle event to meet organisations who are here to help you.

Organisations include:

· Housing Advice
· Healthcare information—health checks
· Free SIM cards and Library registration
· Employment/volunteering advice
· Help with accessing food or clothing
· Information on local services and activities
· Organisations for people seeking asylum and refugees
· Advice on school admissions
· Children’s activities/arts and crafts
· Benefit advice
· Advice on finding English classes
· Fire service safety advice
· Northumbria Police

There will be food and drinks and families are welcome!

For more information about the event please contact [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about Support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Private rental support

Did you know that there are two Support and Progression workers that can help tenants living in the private rented sector?  The team works with the Private Rental Service at Newcastle city council and Property Licence team to help tenants manage and sustain their tenancies.

The team works in areas covered by property licencing to provide advice and support to private tenants.

They can help:

  • Private tenants who live in a property covered by property licencing, and
  • Needs help to manage or sustain a tenancy.

If you support people in private rental housing you can find out more, or discuss a potential referral by contacting  [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about Getting advice about your landlord or housing issues

PA recruitment event: Work and Thrive Central

31 March, 1pm to 4pm,  Bewick Hall. Level 2, City Library, NE1 8AX.

Ever thought about becoming Personal Assistant? Want to find out more?

On Monday 31st March, between 1&4pm, Disability North will be recruiting for Personal Assistants at Work and Thrive Central.

A Personal Assistant is employed directly by a disabled person or a member of their family, to support them to live an independent and full life. What this means will vary hugely according to the person’s needs. Sometimes it can mean helping them around the home with everyday tasks and supporting them out and about in the community to socialise or go shopping, for example. Others will be looking for support to get them to and from work and to help with tasks related to their employment. Some will be looking for both! This is one of the wonderful things about this type of work – every employer will have a unique set of requirements and job description to offer, meaning that no day is the same.

This event is an opportunity to learn more about the role of a Personal Assistant and meet employers with various full and part time jobs to fill.

To register for the event, please use the QR code on the flier or contact Work and Thrive Central.

Read more on InformationNOW about hiring a personal assistant for home care 

Practice English West End volunteering

Practise English West End group at West End library are looking for volunteers.
The group runs from 1-2pm on Mondays and anyone who is enthusiastic, friendly and has a good grasp of English can apply.
Volunteering is flexible and you can commit to as many or as few sessions as you like. They provide training, shadowing and materials.

If you or someone you know are interested in volunteering you can email [email protected] for more information.

Read more on InformationNOW about Volunteering

Help with NHS travel costs

Did you know that you may be able to get help with travel costs to NHS appointments and services in Newcastle?

You could be eligible if you are on one of the following benefits or schemes:

  • Universal Credit (UC) – Net earnings less than £435a
  •  Income Based Employment and support allowance (ESA (IB))
  • Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA (IB))
  • Working Tax Credit (WTC)
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)
  • Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit
  • named on the NHS Low Income Scheme Certificate HC2 or HC3 eligibility criteria

To claim travel expenses, on the day of your appointment you should bring proof that you receive a means-tested benefit as well as the bus, train, metro or parking tickets you have used and ask for a travel expenses claim form.

You can read the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS foundation trust booklet on help with travel costs here

Read more on InformationNOW about Help with health costs

Flyover Futures

Submission deadline: 28 April 2025

The Farrell centre are looking for bold, original and compelling ideas for new uses for the Gateshead flyover. How could a structure that acts as a barrier in the cityscape become a connector and a destination thats’s open, accessible and ecologically vibrant?

The competition is open everyone from designers, landscape architects, students, community groups, artists, and enthusiasts. An expert panel will select four winning proposals which will be displayed in a small exhibition and unveiled in a celebratory event at the Farrell Centre on 21 May 2025.

You can read more about the flyover futures project, how to apply on the Farrell centres website

Read more on InformationNOW about Getting involved in your community

Ukraine Permission and E-visa application extension 

E-Visa application extension

The deadline for people currently without an E-visa to apply for an E-Visa  has now been extended to 1 June 2025.  People who have proof of their immigration status in a BRP card (British Residence Permits) or different physical document, such as a passport stamp or vignette sticker, will need to apply for an E-Visa.
Applying for an E-Visa is not an application for immigration status, but is needed to prove immigration status. People whose immigration leave is expiring must still submit a new immigration application.

Local help is available from:

You can find more information on E-visa’s on GOV.UK here  

You can get help to apply for an E-visa on GOV.UK here

Ukraine Permission Extension scheme

Ukrainian nationals, or family members of Ukrainian nationals living in the UK with existing permission on one of the Ukraine schemes (Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme,Ukraine Family Scheme
Ukraine Extension Scheme), may be eligible to apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme to continue living in the UK for up to a further 18 months.
It is free to apply and new visa applications must be made before current permission expires.
You can find out more information and how to apply on GOV.UK here

If you need help to complete online forms , help accessing the internet or a computer or mobile phone, We Are Digital provide free help on behalf of the Home Office. You can find out more on their Website here

Read more on InformationNOW about support for Ukrainian refugees

Discover Festival

7 June 2025 from 10am to 4pm

Newcastle University welcomes you to a free, one-day festival of interactive family-fun to spark your curiosity: Discover Festival
Meet the experts at the forefront of their fields – from archaeologists to performers, to scientists and engineers. There are many events at the festival held across Newcastle University campus’, Great North Museum: Hancock, Hatton gallery, Farrell centre and more. Highlights include:

  • Howay! Do you know your North East accents? -Learn about local dialects and test your knowledge of local accents in this interactive session
  • Mind-Controlled Machines – Controlling computers using your thoughts is no longer science fiction. This activity lets you experiment with neural interfaces: machines that communicate with the electrical signals in your brain and nerves.
  • Discover Japanese – Develop your language skills and your creativity. Learn basic Japanese and discover origami and calligraphy.
  • Newcastle Multilingual Choir – Go on a musical journey around the world with our Multilingual Choir. Clap, dance, and listen to songs in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Polish, Ukrainian, and Yoruba Lucumi
  • Heroes in Heels: A Drag Castle Extravaganza – Step into a world of fun with our cast of drag heroes as they become iconic figures from across the ages. From animated superheroes to famous popstars
  • Pickleball Fun – Join Newcastle Sport for a game of Pickleball! Pick up a paddle and have a go at the fastest growing sport in America

Read more on InformationNOW about Lifelong Learning

Health Innovation Neighbourhood drop ins

7 April 2025, 10am to 1pm, Campus for Ageing and Vitality (Newcastle General Hospital), Westgate Rd,  NE4 6BE

The Health Innovation Neighbourhood (HIN) is a long-term collaborative development to create a neighbourhood space for innovation and research in Newcastle.

The neighbourhood includes:

  • housing
  • green spaces
  • commercial spaces
  • educational facilities
  • community spaces
  • employment opportunities
  • research and innovation spaces

There are monthly drop in sessions on the first Monday of the month where you can look at the plans for the site, have a coffee, and chat with the team.
The drop ins are at the former Pavilion Cafe. Although the café is no longer open there is a coffee machine and plenty of space to chat. Enter through the round doors of the Biomedical Research Building and walk straight through to the café space.

Upcoming drop in dates:

7 April: 10am to 1pm (note that this ends 1 hour earlier than normal)

6 May: 10 to 2pm (due to Monday bank holiday)

2 June: 10 to 2pm

Read more on InformationNOW about Health Inequalities

Connected Voice AGM

10 April,  1pm to 3:30pm, St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Oakwellgate, Gateshead, NE8 2AU.

Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations are welcome to join Connected Voice’s annual general meeting (AGM).
The theme is ‘Resilience and Renewal: The VCSE Sector in Challenging Times’. The AGM features:

  • Nathan Gamester, Managing Director of The Centre for Social Justice.
  • Mandy Coppin, Chief Executive of Streetwise Young Peoples Project in Newcastle, who will speak about the factors leading to Streetwise’s recent decision to merge with Everyturn Mental Health.
  • A pop-up photography exhibition featuring women from Teams and Dunston Alive (TADA) who, in addition to being photographed, have shared their stories of resilience and where they draw their strength from.

After 3:30pm finish there will be afternoon tea, coffee, cake and networking time

Book a space at Connected Voice AGM on Information Now

Read more on InformationNOW about Services commissioned by Newcastle City Council 

Connected Voice opportunity: Support and development officer

Connected Voice have an opportunity to join their team as a Support and Development Officer providing free advice and support to organisations based or operating in Gateshead and Newcastle.

Support and Development Officers support local voluntary and community organisations on all aspects of development – this includes advice and guidance on funding, good governance, getting the right organisational structure, and much more.

The role at a glance:
•    Offered part time or full time (from 30-37 hours per week)
•    Salary of £27,810 per annum for full time hours
•    Applications close on Monday 31 March at 12.00 p.m.

Find out more and apply here 

Read more on InformationNOW about Support to prepare for a job 

 

Woodland wellbeing sessions

WinG Outdoor activities have a series of free Woodland wellbeing sessions this Spring and summer.   Woodland wellbeing sessions include a variety of tasks such as cooking food, tree planting, tidying and improving the site. This is followed by the opportunity to relax and feel good in the woods and restore one’s well-being. All sessions are from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

Upcoming sessions:

  • 26 March 2025
  • 9, 30 April 2025
  • 5, 21 May 2025
  • 4, 18 June 2025
  • 2 July 2025
  • 24 September 2025

Sessions are available for adults, community groups, charities and NHS referrals to attend. All tools and equipment are provided with free minibus transport from Newcastle and Gateshead.

Please contact WinG Outdoor activities for more details and to book a session.

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

Adult Day Services Survey

Deadline 6 April 2025.

Newcastle City Council are about to recommission the ‘Day Opportunities’ contract for providing day services and are asking for feedback and opinions of people who have experience of using day service privately or through the council, as well as feedback from their carers, relatives, and family members.

There is an online survey where you can share your feedback and have the option to share any further comments you would like. This should only take a few minutes and would be a great opportunity to hear your voice.
The information will be used to form part of the recommissioning of our day services. Your responses are anonymous and will help to improve our day services offer for the city.
If you need the information in another format (direct link, large print, braille, paper copy) or language please contact 0191 2787878 or e-mail: [email protected]

You can complete the Adult Day Services Survey here

Read more on InformationNOW about Day centres and services

Deliver You

Survey deadline 16 April 2025

Volunteering Matters have launched the Deliver You campaign with you—a youth-led initiative that gives young people the chance to shape the National Youth Strategy.
This is a unique opportunity for them to share their views, experiences, and ideas, directly influencing government decisions.

The Government is creating a new ten-year National Youth Strategy to tackle the challenges for this generation of young people and ensure that every young person can thrive and improve youth focused services

They would like support in reaching as many young people as possible, by:

The survey is open until 16 April 2025 to anyone aged 10-21 (25 for those with SEND) in England.

You can access the Deliver You survey here

Read more on InformationNOW about young peoples health

Healthwatch Newcastle annual survey reminder

Deadline 31 March 2025

Healthwatch Newcastle use your views to make local health and care services better for you.
They do this by finding out how you are experiencing these services and ultimately feeding this back to the people delivering and commissioning the services, to influence positive change based on what they have been told.

You can take part in Healthwatch Newcastle’s Annual Survey here.

Read more on InformationNOW about Having your say about health and care services

The Big conversation: women’s health report

The UK Government published their 10-year ‘Women’s Health Strategy for England’ in 2022. The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) are building on the Women’s Health Strategy locally through an implementation programme. This programme has 7 key priorities:

  1. Menstrual Health & Gynaecological Conditions
  2. Fertility, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Loss & Postnatal Support
  3. Menopause
  4. Mental Health
  5. Cancers
  6. Health Impacts of Violence Against Women and Girls
  7. Healthy Ageing & Long-Term Conditions

‘The Big Conversation’ was an opportunity for women in the north east have their say on this programme and womens health. It included an online survey which was shared across the North East and North Cumbria, and focus groups. Insights from the report include:

  • The GP (75%) and NHS website (75%) were selected as the most common place to find information on women’s health
  • 61% of women said they feel confident to speak with a healthcare professional about their women’s health issues.

You can read the NHS NENC and Healthwatch Women’s Health Report here

Read more on InformationNOW about local women’s support organisations

Newcastle Neighbourhoods Summary

In December 2024 four Neighbourhood Network events were held across the city, in the four geographical zones: North, East, Inner West, and Outer West by community wellbeing officers at Newcastle city council.
These events give an opportunity for people and organisations to get together and learn about what is going on in their community, as well as networking with others.

The detailed summaries of these reports can be found here:

North Neighbourhood Summary – Trinity Church – 4th December 2024
East Neighbourhood Summary – Ray Gray Centre – 10 December 2024
Outer West Neighbourhood Summary – Lemington Centre – 5 Dec 2024
Inner West Neighbourhood Summary – Newcastle Utd Foundation – 12 Dec 2024

Read more on InformationNOW about Newcastle Neighbourhoods

Offline and Overlooked

Age UK is campaigning to make sure everyone can access the services they need – so that being offline doesn’t mean being overlooked. 2.3 million people aged 65 and over do not use the internet, 1 in 5 of this age group

Their latest report suggests:

  • 4.7 million people aged 65 and over don’t have the basic skills to use the internet successfully and safely.
  • one in three (31%) over 60s say life is harder than five years ago because more services are now online
  • Around 3.3 million people aged 65 and over in the UK don’t use a smartphone. 900,000 people of the same age don’t use any sort of mobile phone.

You can read Age UK’s Offline and overlooked report on digital exclusion and iots impact on older people here

Follow the Offline and Overlooked campaign on the Age UK website

Read more on InformationNOW about digital skills and help to get online

Recognise, Respond, Refer free training

Multiples dates available in 2025 

The “Recognise, Respond, Refer” training is for frontline practitioners working in Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland, who come into contact with clients who they are concerned might be – or already are – using abusive behaviours in their intimate relationships. The training focuses on recognising the signs of domestic abuse perpetration, safely approaching the issue with clients, and engaging in a motivational conversation with a view to being able to refer to the Make a Change Programme. The training is offered free of charge and delivered on MS Teams.

Upcoming sessions

  • 11 April 2025
  • 28 April 2025
  • 14 May 2025
  • 20 May 2025

Book your free place at Recognise, Respond, Refer on Eventbrite

There are also ‘Lunch and Learn: Responding to adults who harm their intimate partners’ sessions. These are a one-hour online session hosted by Make a Change, in collaboration with Newcastle City Council.

Upcoming sessions

  • 9 April 2025
  • 29 April 2025
  • 13 May 2025
  • 21 May 2025

Book your free place on a Lunch and learn on Eventbrite

Read more on InformationNOW about Domestic abuse

Dementia at work guide

Almost one million people are living with dementia in the UK – including 70,000 with young onset dementia. many of whom are in some form of employment.

Dementia UK have published a useful Dementia at work guide for employee’s living with dementia, working carers and employers.
The guide includes sections on supporting employee’s with dementia, employers responsibilities and employee rights.

You can read the Dementia UK Dementia at work guide here 

Read more on InformationNOW about Dementia Friendly Newcastle

Springbank Pavilion April showcase

1 to 5 April 2025, Springbank Pavilion, Leazes park, Richardson road, NE2 4BJ

Newcastle Parks and Allotments have partnered with local arts organisations such as Chilli Studios, Curious Arts and Gem Arts to host exciting art workshops in Springbank Pavilion, Leazes Park, on the doorstep of major hospital sites.  Come join for the workshops and to spend time in nature and try making something creative together. The free sessions run from 1 to 5 April
The full programme throughout the week is:

  • 1 April 2025, Pottery in the park by Chilli studios at 12pm and 3:30pm
  • 2 April 2025, Make a fungi friend with Moving parts arts at 12pm
  • 2 April 2025, Create paper flowers with artist Pui Lee at 2pm
  • 2 April 2025, Mindful wellbeing by Mindful meets at 5pm
  • 3 April 2025, Sound bathing session at 1pm
  • 3 April 2025 Tai Chi, way of life with Wendy Chen at 2pm
  • 3 April 2025, Yoga with Lisa from Shanti Bee at 3pm
  • 3 April 2025, Yoga with Anna at 5pm
  • 3 April 2025, meditation with Anna at 6pm
  • 4 April 2025, cultural threads by Gem Arts
  • 4 April 2025, playful park illustration by Gem Arts
  • 5 April 2025, Creative and curious by curious arts at 12pm
  • 5 April 2025, Creative and curious by curious arts at 3:30pm

Read more on InformationNOW about Springbank Pavilion showcase

Bike Garden party and consultation

12 April 2025, 11am to 2pm

Join a bike party at Greening Wingrove‘s bike garden. The bike party includes:

  • social bike rides and safari (loan bikes are available)
  • child friendly bike activities
  • free Dr Bike sessions to repair your bike
  • cake and refreshments

You can also share your thoughts about cycling in the west end of Newcastle as part of a community cycling consultation, in partnership with Newcastle University and SPACE for Fenham and Arthurs Hill. All are welcome to join, whether you currently ride a bike or not.

Read more on InformationNOW about Cycling and other fitness actvities in Newcastle

Coffee and connect

Wednesdays weekly 11.00am to 2.00pm, Leisure United Blakelaw, Cragston Avenue, NE5 3TS

Coffee and Connect is a community based support network run by Newcastle Adult Social Care and is for people 18 years old and above who would like help, advice, information or just want to know what social connections and support are in their area.
Next Coffee and Connect is on 2 April 2025,

Read more on InformationNOW about Coffee and Connect 

Interaction at Action Foundation

Thursdays weekly, 9.30am to 2pm, Action Foundation, CastleGate, Melbourne Street, NE1 2JQ

InterAction is a free citywide multi-agency weekly drop-in project in Newcastle supporting people who are refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants

Read more on InformationNOW about  Interaction

Lit & Phil: Creative Writing Class Readings

10 April 2025, 6.30pm to 9.00pm, The Lit & Phil, 23 Westgate Road, NE1 1SE

Creative Writing Class Readings are a celebration of the bicentenary of the magnificent Lit & Phil, taking inspiration from the library’s collection, building and activities over the last two hundred years.

Read more and book a space on InformationNOW for this event

Shine on

New organisation

From this week local charity for older people in the East of Newcastle, Caring Hands will change its name to Shine On.
They will also be moving their office from Shieldfield to St Gabriel’s Parish Centre, St Gabriel’s Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 5QN. The new office is on a number of bus routes and has free parking.

The charity will keep a presence in Shieldfield, with its community launderette which will  be undergoing a programme of refurbishment and have its own relaunch as the ‘Shine On Community Launderette’ in May 2025.

Shine On’s new website www.shineoncharity.org.uk, has full details of all the services they offer, contact details, and latest news.

What’s not changing

Shine On will continue to focus on the needs of older people across the East of Newcastle: Befriending, Benefits Advice, Handyman, Laundry, and Small Aids services
They will soon be offering range of new activities and a new wellbeing service.
for more updates in the coming months Watch  new website and social media

Their phone number will remain 0191 261 5234

Read more on InformationNOW about Shine On (formerly Caring Hands)

NHS 0-19 team

New organisation

The NHS 0-19 team (also known as the health visiting and school health service) is an integrated service made up of locality teams of health visitors, health workers, community staff, nursery and public health school nurses. They support children and families with health needs and to be healthy.

Read more on InformationNOW about NHS 0-19 health visiting and school health service

Smart recovery

new organisation

SMART Recovery are a charity that support people recovering from addiction. They work with treatment providers around the UK as well as prisons, rehab facilities, probation, the NHS, and supported housing services. They hold peer-led meetings which help people to keep up with their recovery progress. These meetings take place both online and in-person.

Read more on InformationNOW about Smart recovery

Merton Lodge Community Hub

New organisation

Merton Lodge Community Hub is a community space ran by residents and volunteers. They run various services and activities including: fitness classes, breakfast clubs, bingo and crafts.

They also host The Bread and Butter Thing  on Tuesdays, where you can access low cost food every week

Read more on InformationNOW about Merton Lodge Community Hub

What to do in extreme weather

New article

Extreme weather can cause problems with travelling, flooding, power cuts, loss of water supply, damage to property and injuries. When there are weather warnings in place there are a few things that you can do to protect yourself and others.

Read more on InformationNOW about What to do in extreme weather – Information Now

Help with health costs

Updated article

Most NHS services are free, however there are charges for some things. If you are in receipt of certain benefits, on a low income, have reached a certain age or your health condition meets criteria you may be entitled to free treatment or help with some of these health costs,

Read more on InformationNOW about Help with health costs

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Best Wishes

Lauren and Richard

Richard White and Lauren Hoy: Prevention, Information and Advice Leads at Newcastle City Council

Last updated: March 27, 2025