30 July 2025

NEWS

InfoNOW

We’re excited to share that here at InformationNOW we’re developing a brand-new interactive map feature to help you better find the thousands of local services, organisations, events, and activities on the site.

Whether you’re looking for a community group, a nearby food bank, a walking club, or just something fun to do, our new map will make it quicker and easier to explore what’s available in your area.

You’ll be able to:

• Search by location to see what’s nearby
• Filter by categories to find exactly what you need
• Get directions and contact details at your fingertips

You’ll still be able to find information on the website in the same way now using keyword search and categories but with the option to search and display your results on a map.

If you currently use InformationNOW to look for services, organisations, events, activities, groups or more we’d like to hear from you about what would be most useful for you to have on our interactive map search.

You can complete the short online survey on Microsoft Forms here

DWP energy support scam

The Department for work and pensions (DWP) has shared information about a recent scam text message targeting people.

If you get a text about an “Energy Support Scheme” from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) it is a scam. The texts may look like this

“DWP Energy Allowance Notice: you may be eligible

For the 2024-2025 financial year, the DWP has introduced a one-off Energy Allowance policy designed to help residents cope with the rising cost of living, including electricity and gas bills and heating. Those who are eligible will receive a cash grant of £200-£300, which will be paid directly into the applicant’s account and does not need to be repaid. The system will initially determine that you are eligible, so please make sure you submit your application by 18 July 2025 using the link below. If you do not submit your application by 18 July 2025, you will be deemed to have abandoned your application and the subsidy will not be retained. Application link: https://gov.cygsitbntgk.live/uk?qr=zucoq1.  If you encounter any difficulties during the application process, please reply ‘Yes’ and our customer service team will assist you to complete the operation.”

or

“Latest DWP energy assistance reminder:
The Department for Welfare (DWP) is now running a one-off energy allowance scheme for 2024–2025, designed to reduce the burden of household energy bills. The subsidy is 200–300 and will be paid directly into eligible residents’ bank accounts.
The system indicates that you may be eligible to apply, but you still have until 24 July 2025 to submit an application. Failure to do so by the deadline will be deemed abandonment and the subsidy will not be retained.
Link to complete the application process:  https://gov.cygsitbnynd.live/uk
If you have any questions, please reply ‘Yes’ and we will provide you with the necessary assistance.”

Free internet in Newcastle Housing Plus schemes

Watch a video about the Portable Wi-Fi Housing Plus scheme on Youtube here

Read more on InformationNOW about Digital support in Newcastle

Life Centre Universal Credit trial

19 July to 31 August 2025

This summer, Newcastle’s Life Science Centre is introducing a new £3 Universal Credit ticket, giving more people the chance to enjoy a full day of science-fuelled fun at a reduced rate.
Life is trialling a Universal Credit reduced price ticket for the summer. The Life Science centre are trialling this approach to offer more opportunities and activities for people who may traditionally have been excluded.

The person who claims universal credit can bring up to 5 people with them on their £3 ticket. So it is a max of 6 people per ‘group’. If there are two adults in the group who are both eligible for UC, they could buy tickets for up to 12 people.

Tickets can be purchased for the main summer holiday period: Saturday 19 July to Sunday 31 August.

Life Science Centre also has relaxed Sunday sessions to explore the science centre with fewer visitors and less noise, and enjoy relaxed performances in the Planetarium and Science Theatre. These are dedicated quiet time for anyone to access and enjoy the science centre, including autistic people and those with other sensory needs.

Community Health Bus

Read more about the Days out by bus scheme on Northeast-ca.gov.uk here

Read more about Transport in Newcastle on InformationNOW

Newcastle City Learning 2025-2026 brochure

• Newcastle City Learning at Westgate College,
  West Road, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne,
  NE4 9LU
• Newcastle City Learning at Heaton Centre,
  Trewhitt Road, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne,
  NE6 5DY

You can read the Newcastle City learning brochure 2025 – 2026 here

Read more on InformationNOW about Adult learning, skills and training

Stagecoach industrial strike action

Stagecoach bus services in Newcastle upon Tyne will be affected if planned industrial action goes ahead. The industrial action relates to driver pay for employees based at depots in Walkergate and Slatyford. 

A reduced bus service across Newcastle will be in place due to the planned strike. Strikes are planned for

• 11 August 2025
• 12 August 2025
• 18 August 2025
• 21 August 2025

UK Emergency Alert testing

There will be a UK-wide test of the Emergency Alerts system on 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

Emergency Alerts is a UK government system that provides warning and advice in a life threatening emergency.

The test alert will be sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and compatible tablets across the UK.

Your phone may sound and display a message. There is no real danger and you will not need to take any action

If you have a vision or hearing impairment, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have received the test.

SPOTLIGHT ON

Summer on the square

Summer on the square 2025 is a programme of free activities at Hadrian square Byker. It features live music, outdoor theatre, immersive art installations, markets, film screenings, and hands-on workshops for all ages. Each event is designed to bring people together, celebrate local talent, and transform the high street into a welcoming hub of activity, creativity, and joy.

Highlights include:

• Thursday 31 July – The Hobby Rooms
  Inspired by the Byker Wall’s iconic hobby spaces, this event celebrates the wonderful world of hobbies, collection sand pastimes. Try your hand at gardening, upcycling textiles, circus skills and more.
• Tuesday 12 August – The Birdcage Stage
  A spectacular double bill of aerial theatre and giant puppetry, performed in a shimmering golden birdcage structure. Featuring In the Green Man’s Garden and The Queen of Hearts, this one’s not to be missed.
• Saturday 16 August – The Byker Wall
  A brand-new aerial circus theatre show, performed high above the square, celebrating the construction and community spirit of one of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings.
• Sunday 17 August – Independent Film Fest
  An afternoon of open-air cinema showcasing local filmmakers—including a screening of the iconic Stepney Western.
• Tuesday 19 August – Music of the Spheres
  Giant spheres roll through the square in this family-friendly performance blending dance, movement, and sound in an extraordinary visual experience.
• Friday 22 August – The Monster Market
  A market run entirely by puppet monsters! Kids can grab some monster money and buy from our furry stallholders. Interactive, imaginative and hilarious.
• Monday 25 August – Byker Groove
  A one-day music festival featuring performances from Hannabiell & Midnight Blue, Cortney Dixon, and Kay Greyson—plus a surprise headline act to be announced!
• Friday 29 August – Community Engagement Craft
  Get creative and make your own costume to wear to Saturday night’s spectacular parade.
• Saturday 30 August – Picto Facto: Lampadophores
  An explosion of colour, light, and theatre, this interactive street theatre performance features giant inflatable puppets and a joyful, illuminated parade through the square.
• Sunday 31 August – What Makes Me Happy – Photography Exhibition
  Created by Australian artist Jessica Wilson in collaboration with local photographer Will Creswick, this exhibition is built from playful “art-poll” interviews with Byker residents—turned into portraits that capture the unique personality of the area.

Read more on InformationNOW about Things to do in Newcastle

Think CO2 Pack safe

The Pack Safe Appeal raises awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and to encourage anyone who travels, especially young backpackers to pack a carbon monoxide alarm as well as ensure all holiday providers have carbon monoxide safety in traveller accommodation.

The Pack Safe Appeal was born out of a tragic and avoidable accident. Hudson Foley died at just 24 years of age while he was travelling overseas from CO poisoning in a homestay accommodation in Ecuador. There have also been recent incidents such as Adele and Craig Tait. They tragically died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning while camping near Loch Awe, due to use of a portable gas stoves or heaters used inside their tent

Read more about travel safety and where to find portable carbon monoxide alarms on safer tourism website

Read more about gas safety on InformationNOW

NHS App surgery support sessions

Next Steps Event

5 September 2025, 10am to 2pm, Work & Thrive Central, Newcastle City Library
NE1 8AX

Newcastle City Council Careers Team is holding a Next Steps Event for young people aged 16 to 19 years old and up to 25 with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) who are not in employment, education or training

Careers advisers from the Newcastle Careers Team will be available to speak to about your options.
There’ll also be stalls from education and training providers to give more information about their available courses.
This is a free event and a chance to find out more about the opportunities available

Read more about support to prepare for work or a job on Information Now

OPPORTUNITIES

Ouseburn Farm Supported Volunteering August 2025

Ouseburn farm are offering supported volunteering sessions this August. Supported volunteering allows for people who may find traditional volunteering difficulty to volunteer, build skills and confidence.

Upcoming sessions this August include:

18 August 10am – 2pm: Caring for Small Animals and Reptiles – take part in daily health checks, cleaning, feeding, and grooming while gaining hands-on experience.

20 August 10am – 2pm: Horticulture Experience Day – Help maintain our green spaces. Tasks include garden and orchard maintenance and planting.

27 August 10am – 2pm: Livestock Experience Day – Help lead animals to pasture, perform daily health checks, feed and exercise goats, and assist with mucking out. All while gaining invaluable hands-on experience with farm animals.

29 August 10am – 2pm: Employment in Farming and Agriculture – Hear stories and insights from our farmer, horticulturist, and small animal lead. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions or try out some practical everyday farm tasks with our animals or in our gardens.

They are also offering a 4 week supported volunteering course with group volunteering in animal care, horticulture as well as employment and wellbeing workshops.

To join the course or workshops you must be:

• Aged 16 years old or over
•  living North of the Tyne
• economically inactive (not working and not looking for work)

If you know someone who would be interested contact Volunteer Lead Sarah by email: [email protected] or phone 0191 232 3698.

Read more on InformationNOW about Volunteering

Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) IT4Good Grant Programme

Deadline 18 August 2025

The WCIT are inviting registered charities, educational establishments, community interest companies, and other not-for-profit organisations to apply for grants of up to £15,000 for IT projects that benefit communities and people across the UK.

Focus areas for the grants include:

• Digital inclusion: Digital inclusion and accessibility projects
• Tech for charities: Support charities to pilot new technologies that will create efficiencies in the organisation, improve the lives of beneficiaries, or be scalable to the wider Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.
• Education: improving learning outcomes or improving digital literacy, or projects that are developing technology-based educational tools

Applications for funding may be submitted at any time and are considered by the Charitable Operations Committee at one of its four meetings a year.

The next deadline for grant application is 5pm on August 18, 2025. Decisions are usually communicated within 6-8 weeks of the application deadline.

You can find out more about how to apply on the WCIT website here

You can read more about grant policies and applications here 

Read more on InformationNOW about Making your computer or mobile device easier to use

Public Health Intern Recruitment and Information Day

21 August 2025, 10am – 3pm, Newcastle City Council, Collingwood Room, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, NE1 8QA

This event is designed to introduce students and educators to a new Public Health Internship Programme, an exciting opportunity to connect your school/college leavers with meaningful career pathways into public health. It offers hands-on experience in health promotion, research, and community engagement and can inspire the next generation of public health leaders.

During the day attendees will:

• Learn about the structure and benefits of the internship
• Discover what a career in Public Health really looks like
• Learn how you can help shape healthier communities and a fairer society
• Meet professionals working in the field
• Get support to register and apply via North East Jobs
• Explore fixed-term (23-month) internship opportunities within the Public Health department at Newcastle City Council, with a starting salary of £25,584 (2025 pay award pending)

If you have any questions or require further information, feel free to contact [email protected]

If you or someone you know is interested please share or complete the Public Health Intern Expression of interest form here.

Read more about Health Inequalities on InformationNOW

2025/26 Healthy Communities & Social Prescribing Grants Scheme.

Funded as part of the ICB’s Healthier and Fairer programme, the Healthy Communities & Social Prescribing Grants scheme will fund up to 8 new projects, with grants of £15,000 to £30,000 available to VCSE organisations.

This new grants scheme managed by VONNE aims to strengthen and improve social prescribing and improve outcomes for people living and working across the North East and North Cumbria.

Projects must be delivered by the end of March 2026, and have strategic significance and potential for application across the region. If you are interested in delivering a project in support of any of these priority areas, and are a VCSE organisation based in the North East and North Cumbria region, please do consider applying for the funding.

Full details are available in the Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Grants Scheme document here.

Applications should be made using the Expression of Interest Form here

Expression of Interest forms must be emailed to [email protected] by 12pm on 11 August 2025.

Applications will be assessed by a panel and decisions notified by 11 September 2025.

If you have any queries about this Grants Scheme please email: [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about Social Prescribing

CONSULTATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

Smart Works Have your say

 5 August, 11am to 1pm, Floor 3, Hadrian House, Higham Place, Newcastle, NE1 8AF

MaPS Community-Based Debt Advice Event

19 August 2025, 10.30am to 2.30pm, venue TBC

The debt team from Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is holding a face to face regional event in the Northeast on the 19^th August for organisations and services that are currently working to support people with money and debt or are interested in providing debt advice support.

If you are interested in attending the in-person session you can register using their online form here 

Read more on InformationNOW about dealing with debt

RESEARCH AND RESOURCES

Happy at Work Free Employment Workshops

Friends Action North East (FANE) is offering free Happy at Work sessions designed for people with learning disabilities and autism who are in work, volunteering, or preparing to start employment.

• What makes a happy workplace
• Managing tasks and workplace interactions
• Reasonable adjustments & asking for help
• Building confidence and support around work

The workshops are a friendly and supportive environment

Pargiter Trust grants for people aged over 65

The Pargiter Trust is offering grants of £5,000 to £10,000 to projects and organisations doing work that meets one or more of the following themes:

• Improving health and wellbeing – reducing isolation, providing hot meals and refreshments and helping older people to stay active through sports, arts, recreation, socials clubs and volunteering.
• Improving access to facilities, advice and training – supporting projects providing respite for carers, supporting Good Neighbourhood and befriending schemes and improving access to information and IT for older people, particularly where this involves intergenerational work.
• Overcoming problems – helping older people who are experiencing difficult circumstances due to an illness, injury, disability, bereavement or financial difficulty.

Grants of £5,000 to £10,000 are available , although smaller requests will be considered if they demonstrate strong impact against the fund criteria.

To make an application on the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear website here 

Find activities, events and projects for older adults on InformationNOW

Active Inclusion Introduction to Budgeting   

This in-person ‘Introduction to Budgeting’ training has been developed by Newcastle City Council’s Active Inclusion Service.

It is aimed at frontline staff and volunteers who provide budgeting advice and support as part of their role. The session will give you the skills to help the residents you support to stay out of debt and manage their money.

Following the training session, you will be able to complete an accurate budget plan, identify how your clients’ income can be increased and their costs reduced, help them to manage their bank account and bill payments and support them with other financial inclusion aspects.  

·       29 August 2025 – 1.00pm to 4.00pm at City Library – Room 7 

·       12 December 2025 – 10.00am to 1.00pm at City Library – Room 7 

·       26 February 2026 – 1.00pm to 4.00pm at City Library – Room 7 

·       27 May 2026 – 10.00am to 1.00pm at City Library – Room 7 

Further information and how to register for one of the sessions can be found on Newcastle iLearn here. 

Read more on InformationNOW about managing your money

Co-creating ways to navigate and mitigate against misinformation and disinformation

The UK public are struggling to identify mis-and-disinformation online thanks to the growing mass of AI generated content and the sheer volume of information available to them according to the latest research from Ofcom.

This research has been carried out as part of their media literacy programme of work, to help inform Ofcom’s media literacy duty under the Online Safety Act to heighten public awareness and understanding of the nature and impact of misinformation and disinformation online

The report also offer strategies to limit the effects of online misinformation and disinformation.

You can read the report on Ofcom.org.uk here

Read more on InformationNOW about Cyber crime, online fraud and scams

North East Autism society summer toolkit

UPCOMING EVENTS

Reading with dementia workshops

In partnership with Newcastle Libraries, Equal Arts is hosting Reading with Dementia Workshops – creative workshops to help people with dementia enjoy books in new ways. Explore poems, maps, and more while building social connections.

• Newcastle City Library – 1:30pm on Tuesdays
• West End Library – 10am on Mondays
• Kenton Library – Tuesdays 10:30am (starting in September)

Read more on InformationNOW about Reading with dementia

Summer Fun Family Tuesdays

Pottery Bank Community Centre are running summer fun family Tuesdays on the following dates:

• 5 August 2025 11am to 1pm
• 12 August 2025 11am to 1pm
• 19 August 2025 11am to 1pm

The events are for families of all ages and include a bouncy castle, face painters, tattoos, arts and crafts, sports, tombola, allotment activities, refreshments and more!

Read more about this event on InformationNOW

The Big Bike Revival

The Big Bike Revival is a series of free community cycling sessions for adults at Benfield sports centre supported by Mind matters NE CIC.They have 3 typesof sessions you can attend

1. Led Ride Sessions help you explore safe, local routes with a friendly team.
2. Learn to Ride sessions help to build cycling confidence from scratch.
3. Skills Refresher sessions help you refresh on cycling skills.

• Saturday 2nd August – Led Ride
• Saturday 9th August –  Learn to Ride or Skills Refresher
• Saturday 16th August – Led Ride
• Saturday 6th September – Led Ride
• Saturday 13th September – Learn to Ride or Skills Refresher
• Saturday 20th September – Led Ride
• Saturday 27th September  – Led Ride
• Saturday 4th October  – Led Ride
• Saturday 11th October  Led Ride

Read more about The Big Bike Revival on Information Now

What is an Ideal City Farrel centre

From July to December 2025, The Farrell Centre invites you to explore the future of our cities through a major exhibition asking what we value about where we live, what needs to change, and how we might shape more inclusive, creative places.

Highlights include:

A Playful City, 11 September 2025, 6pm

Read more about A City for Everyone: A playful, living, just city at the Farrell Centre on Information Now

Pop up library drop in at Walker Parish Church

7 August 2025, 10am to 2pm, Walker Parish Church

Newcastle Reading for Wellbeing Team  are holding a drop-in event at the new pop-up library at Walker Parish Church, where you can find out more about Reading for Wellbeing and whats happening across libraries in Newcastle.

Read more about this event on InformationNOW

One Strawberry Lane fayre

7 August 2025, 12pm to 6pm at One strawberry Lane

Think beach vibes at this summer fayre for all the family. With local vendors, charity stalls, and a live DJ! 

Read more about this event on InformationNOW

Denton Dene Park run

Saturdays, 9am, Denton Dene

A free and friendly, 5K Run or Walk around the lovely Denton Dene, every Saturday. All ages welcome, lots of support if you want it and no-one finishes last

Read more about this event on InformationNOW

Knit and Natter

10:30am to 2pm, 1867 cafe, Tyne theatre and opera house

Fancy a cuppa and a chat while you knit? Head to the 1867 Café at Tyne Theatre and Opera House on Westgate Road for Knit and Knatter. A new group from Search Newcastle, all abilities welcome – bring your own project or start something new.

Read more about this event

NEW AND UPDATED ON INFONOW

Gas Safety

updated article

Badly fitted, damaged, poorly serviced or faulty gas appliances can put you at risk of gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. It is important to know what steps you can take to stay safe in your home or another place.

Read more about Gas safety on Information Now

Pride Action North

New organisation

Pride Action North provide a range of support and advocacy services available to young people and adults in the LGBTQIA+ communities across the north of England including Northumberland, Gateshead, Newcastle

Read more about Pride Action North on Information Now

The Safer Tourism foundation

New organisation

The Safer Tourism Foundation is a UK charity that works to keep travellers safe. It helps reduce preventable harm, injury, and illness for people travelling in the UK and abroad.

Read more about The Safer Tourism Foundation on Information Now

End of Life Doula UK

New organisation

End of Life Doula UK is a national membership organisation that helps people who have a terminal diagnosis or are near the end of their life as well as their families. Their trained companions, called doulas, give support in many ways such as emotional support, planning ahead, and grief support.

Read more about End of Life Doula UK on Information Now

Last updated: August 20, 2025