28 January 2022 InfoNOW news

News

Computer classes and getting online on InformationNOW

We have been updating our computer classes and support article to make sure that you can signpost people to help and support to get digital – using a device, setting it up and how to get the best out of it. If your organisation is not mentioned in the article, please have a look at your organisation profile to make sure it is up to date with the support or classes you offer and we will include you as we update it.

See our Resources section for Get online Newcastle classes.

InformationNOW has a getting online section and podcasts on this subject

National Walking Summit, 22 March 2022

Living Streets is seeking support for its annual campaign and summit. Improving air quality, tackling inactivity, and reviving local high streets requires neighbourhood by neighbourhood action and agreement. Thier Summit will look at how we can create truly inclusive streets for all and how we ensure marginalised voices are brought into transport planning and design.

The 2022 event will bring together people from across the UK and internationally to explore how to break down barriers to walking and cycling in order to create places where people want to rest, play and spend time.

This year’s programme allows professionals, campaigners, Living Streets members, councillors, engineers and planners to take part nationally at their London studio, internationally, locally (online or at one of their networking hubs) or on demand.

All Living Streets members who donate are entitled to a free online place at the 2022 Summit.

Highway Code

Just a reminder that the Highway Code has been updated with a new hierarchy of road users from Saturday 29 January 2022.

InformationNOW has articles on fitness activities, walking and health

The Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch long weekend is here. There’s still time to sign-up and take part. Just spend one hour between Friday 28 and Sunday 30 January 2022 counting the number and variety of birds. It’s free, fun, and a great way to keep an eye on your local wildlife.

Last year, more than one million people took part, devoting one hour to capturing the data. Shockingly, we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 50 years, so it really is vital we do all we can to look after our birdlife. Remember to submit your results.

InformationNOW has an article on gardening and health, hobbies

Newcastle Fund awards

Twenty four projects have been awarded in Round 12 of the Newcastle Fund. 46% of the activity awarded supports beneficiaries in all wards. Organisations range across the community and voluntary sector including: FAR, Stepney Banks stables, The Millin Charity, Liberdade Community Development Trust and Deaflink. Congratulations to all that were successful.

Small Grants Fund

A Small Grants Fund will be launched this month. This Fund offers up to £5,000 for community activity that delivers The Newcastle Fund’s core priorities to build health, wellbeing, and resilience for Newcastle residents. This fund is aimed at smaller, grassroot organisations in the city making a real difference in our communities and is ideal for small projects or essential funding injections to support core delivery costs.

St James to Tynemouth Metro closure

Nexus has announced that the St James to Tynemouth Metro line will be closed from Monday 21 February to Friday 25 February. The closure will allow extensive overhead line renewal, track replacement, essential work on Metro bridges and embankments and vegetation management. These works are vital to secure the future of Metro for many years to come and to ensure the network is ready for their new trains in 2023.

A frequent bus service will be running instead.

InformationNOW has articles on: public transport, concessionary travel

North of Tyne Crowdfunding

The latest round of North of Tyne crowdfunding is now open. NTCA have committed £250k towards the fund with:

a general community fund (up to £5k towards projects) and
a Mayor Fund which is focused on supporting projects that align with the Mayor’s priorities; funding for communities to tackle the climate emergency and food poverty (up to £15k available per project).

In Newcastle funding has recently been given to organisations – Recyke Y’Bike and Back Lane Rewilders in Heaton. You can see all previous projects here.

You can sign up to workshops to find out more on 2nd and 25th February 2022.

National HIV Testing Week, 7 to 13th February

National HIV Testing Week is a campaign to promote regular testing amongst the most affected population groups in England. This helps to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV and those diagnosed late.

Find out more: National HIV Testing Week – short video

You can also find out more by contacting Shine and Mesmac Newcastle. You can have a chat about anything to do with HIV or sexual health and order a free and confidential HIV Test.

Mesmac Newcastle and Shine also offer sessions for your services and communities that you support. 0191 233 1333 or email them.

InformationNOW has articles on: Sexual health, Sex in later life

Research & Reports

Overcoming health inequalities in ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods

The All-Parliamentary Party Group for ‘left behind’ neighbourhoods working with Northern academic and science partners has released a report that shows health inequalities in left behind neighbourhoods. They define ‘left behind’ areas as places that rank highly on the indices of multiple deprivation and lack social infrastructure. 225 areas have been identified including: Byker, Walker and Woolsington within a group of 56 across the North East.

It shows that people work longer hours than those in the rest of the country, but live shorter lives (average 7.5 years fewer) with more years in ill health costing an estimated £29.8 bn a year to the economy in lost productivity. For example, people in those areas have 15 of the 21 most common health conditions, such as high blood pressure and obesity.

People living in these communities were also 46% more likely to die from COVID-19 than those in the rest of England.

You can get help from your GP – they have social prescribing link workers too and you can have your blood pressure checked. Why not go to the Grainger Market blood pressure clinics?

InformationNOW has an article on how to use your GP Surgery well.

State of Care report

The CQC issued their State of Care report in November 2021. Key points included:

The impact of the pandemic on people who use health and social care services has been damaging. Many people have struggled to get the care they need, and there is also evidence that some people have not sought care and treatment during COVID-19
Despite the widespread disruption caused by the pandemic, surveys have shown that when people were able to access the care they needed, they were often positive about that care.
The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated inequality of access and treatment
The need for mental health care has increased with children and young people particularly badly affected.
The strain on carers has intensified.
Health and social care staff are exhausted and the workforce is depleted.

The Patient’s Association recommends better patient engagement and involvement in the design and provision of services. Why not share your views at the CCG involvement forum or at a patient group for your GP practice.

InformationNOW has articles on care and support for adults and home care agencies in Newcastle

Need help? Community Health and Social Care Direct offer information and advice to adults in Newcastle.

Resources

Get Online telephone helpline launches 31st January

Get Online Newcastle is a partnership between Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle. They support people living in Newcastle to get online and equip them with valuable digital skills. Their telephone support launches on Monday, 31st January: 0191 277 8842 from 10 am to 2 pm but you can also email them. You can also book on a course by clicking the hyperlink below. You don’t need an email address to book:

InformationNOW has an article on computer classes, section on getting online

Disabled Persons Passenger Charter

The government has joined with disability charity Scope to develop a new Disabled Persons Passenger Charter for bus, coach, taxi, private hire vehicle and rail. Providing a clear explanation of their rights, the charter will improve journeys for disabled people by helping ensure that they can travel easily and more confidently.It will bring together a host of information for disabled passengers travelling across England and advice for passengers on what to do when things do not go as expected.Some initiatives include:

an accessibility audit of all railway stations
clearer audible and visual announcements on buses
introducing legislation for taxis and private hire vehicles in Parliament
£1 million to improve access at seaports

InformationNOW has articles on: accessible venues, airport assistance, Blue badge scheme, Deaf and hard of hearing, Nexus TaxiCard Scheme – Accessible Transport, Sight Loss and Visual Impairments

InformationNOW updates

Last updated: February 17, 2022

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28 January 2022 InfoNOW news

News

Computer classes and getting online on InformationNOW