5 February 2025 InfoNOW News

InformationNOW turns 18!

InformationNOW is now an adult after reaching 18 years! We have been providing local information for adults in Newcastle since 2006. Thank you for all your help and support to make InformationNOW a trusted hub of information, organisations and events for people in Newcastle.

Your support has helped us reach:

• Up to 80,000 visits a month,
• 5,000 registered users
• 2,000 organisations listed
• 350+ information articles
• 19,000+ events, activities and groups shared

Read more about working together with InformationNOW

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

LGBT+ History Month

Its LGBT+ History Month this February, You can find out more at the LGBT+History Month website here

Did you know InformationNOW has local information and a directory of LGBTQIA+ support and groups in Newcastle?

If you are a community group, VCSE organisation or services that works with or supports the LGBTQIA+ community please check out our page.

• Are you listed on there?
• Is your information up to date?
• Are there any gaps in our information?

Read more about support for your rights as a LGBTQ+ person on Information Now

Newcastle mental health Safe Haven referrals

The Safe Haven service from Everyturn Mental Health is now accepting all professional referrals. The Newcastle Safe Haven based at George Street Social offers practical, out-of-hours support for people in mental health crisis in Newcastle

Appointments are by referral only. They accept referrals from any professional who is supporting someone with their health or social care needs.

If you are a professional:

Refer someone for an in-person appointment by calling 0300 131 2000
Refer someone for an online appointment using their online form here

Complete the Newcastle Safe Haven referral form document here  and send to [email protected].

Professionals can contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

In The Round Podcast

This months In The Round podcast with presenters Kate, Anne, Violet and Richard includes:

• Sandra from PROPS talking about how they can help people who have a family member who uses drugs or alcohol.
• Ruth from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service discusses their Safe and Well checks that are available free
• Thomas from the Newcastle United Foundation talks about the new Walking Football season
• Kate visits St Mary’s Island with Rosalind as part of the Travels with a Wheelchair series.
• If you’ve watched Breaking the Code or the Imitation Game, you’ll be fascinated by Violet’s investigation into the world of code-breaking
• Richard White from InformationNOW drops in to tell us about some of the activities and events taking place in Newcastle during February.

You can listen to In The Round – Topics and News to interest you for February 2025 here

You can also listen to the latest In The Round and other LLARC podcasts by visiting InformationNOW’s News section

Read more on InformationNOW about Later Life Audio and Radio Cooperative (LLARC)

Tyne to Talk – PROPS

5pm to 7pm, Tuesdays, Tyneisde Cinema

Are you worried about a friend or family member’s drug or alcohol use? Tyne to talk is a free support group in Newcastle for 18 to 25 year olds who are attending college or university. The group is provided by PROPS based at Tyneside Cinema and provides support, information and advice.

Read more about Tyne to Talk on Information Now

E-Visa support sessions at city library

Mondays, weekly, Newcastle City Library, 33 New bridge street West, NE1 8AX, 10am to 4pm

Work and Thrive Central are able to offer eVisa support at their base in Newcastle City Library for people who need help with the E-visa process.
Migrant Help UK have been providing weekly drop-ins on a Tuesday, alongside their additional support for the EU resettlement scheme.

They have now recruited a dedicated officer for eVisas, with eVisa support now on Mondays, with their EU resettlement focus on a Tuesday.

To book an appointment please contact Karol Iwan
Email: [email protected]
Call: 074844 96687

Read more on InformationNOW about Immigration and Asylum 

VCSE Digital day: Reminder

11 February 2025, 9:30am to 3:30pm

VCSE organisations can join a free VCSE day of digital learning from Digital Voice for Communities and Connected Voice including:

• Creative Community Consultation: how to hear what your community wants

• Introduction to Web and Social Media Management
• Simple Digital Content Creation for Social Media. 

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 

Read more on InformationNOW about getting online and using digital equipment

Northern Health Futures digital inclusion

The NortHFutures team, funded by NIHR, is researching digital inclusion/exclusion data in the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) to inform new decision-making tools. They are looking for input from stakeholders involved in data collection, research, or decision-making on digital inclusion.

If you are interested in taking pert:

You can express interest in participating in a short (15 minute) survey running from 10 to 19 February 2025 here

You can also express interest in being involved with workshops in early March here.

To ensure different sectors and areas are represented, they will select participants from those who register.
They especially welcome voices from health, social care, and from Cumbria, County Durham, and Tees Valley, which are currently under-represented.

For any questions or further information please contact Adam Parnaby at [email protected]

Read more about the EPSRC Northern Health Futures Digital Health Hub | Open Lab

Read more on InformationNOW about computer classes and digital support

Remember to keep your personal information safe

There has been a small number of recent incidences of fraudulent Emails and phishing scams across some Local authority, health and VCSE organisations.

We will never ask you for your password or any personal information in an Email. Please do not share passwords or personal information if you’re not sure about an Email.

We will email you from [email protected]. Please add [email protected] to your contact details for us.
Always check the sender Email address is the correct email address for the organisation or person.

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

Ouseburn Farm get into volunteering days

Ouseburn Farm are holding ‘get into volunteering’ drop-in days alongside the 8-week placement programmes they hold with vulnerable adults

• 6 February 2025: Caring for small animals
• 13 February 2025: Animal enrichment
• 27 February 2025: Livestock experience day
• 6 March 2025: Food growing
• 13 March 2025: Reptile week
• 20 March 2025: Caring for green spaces and wildlife
• 27 March 2025: Livestock experience day

You can find out more about these sessions on their drop in poster here

If you are working with any residents that would like to take part, or would like to find out more information, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah, on [email protected] or call 0191 232 3698. Participants must be 16+, living in the North of Tyne area and economically inactive.

Opportunities in Adult Social Care & Prevention

Looking to start a new job or change roles? Want to make a difference and serve local communities?
Hamdat, Kim, Karen, Johnson, Tosin, Peace, Darren and Messie are some of hundreds of people making a difference in Newcastle working in adult social care teams.

Watch this new video about what its like to work in Adult Social Care & Prevention

Work and Thrive Central can support you to find a job, improve your skills through courses, training, apprenticeships and prepare for job opportunities in social care.

Find Adult social are opportunities at Newcastle City Council on North East Jobs 

You can also come along to speak to Newcastle City Council staff about a variety of roles within Newcastle City Council at the next New Year New Job roadshow

• 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

Women’s Homelessness Forum for the North East survey

Crisis are exploring the need and appetite for a forum for those who have a touchpoint – directly or indirectly – with women who experience homelessness, are at risk of homelessness and including those facing unsafe or inappropriate housing.

The forum would seek to be a place where good practice and learning could be shared, as well as a collective working together to influence for the change needed to ensure a better understanding and outcomes for women at risk of or experiencing homelessness

Your knowledge and experiences will shape how the forum is created

You can have your say about Establishing a Women’s Homelessness Forum for the North East here

Read more on InformationNOW about homelessness support 

St Martins Centre opportunity

Deadline: 5pm, 21 February 2025.

St Martins Centre are looking for a Early Years Practitioner to lead and deliver a community-based project in partnership with their nursery, working alongside a SENCO.

If you are interested you can read the full job description and details here

Read more on InformationNOW about  Baby, children and young people’s health

My future my choice careers fair

12 February 2025, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, St James’ Park, Newcastle

Newcastle Careers Team are holding a February ‘My future my choice’ Newcastle Careers Fair for young adults aged 16-19 years old, their parents or carers.
Explore over 100 stallholders, including employers, universities, and training providers.

You can book a place using the sign up form here

Newcastle Careers Team also hold careers advice sessions for young adults aged 16-19 years old:
Every Monday, 2pm to 4:30pm at Nunsmoor centre

Mondays fortnightly, 1:30pm to 4:30pm at Byker Sands family centre

You can view their upcoming sessions on Eventbrite here

Read more on InformationNOW about Support to prepare for work or a job

Lunch & Learn: Digital social prescribing

4 March, 1pm to 2pm, Online

Join VONNE for their next ‘Lunch and Learn’ webinar, where they will be taking a deep dive into digital systems, and asking how they support the delivery of social prescribing.

In this webinar you’ll hear from Northumberland Thriving Together and Inspire South Tyneside – who will demonstrate their own digital social prescribing systems. The session will cover:

• What each platform does (and does not do)
• The benefits for patients, social prescribers, VCSE organisations and the wider health and care system
• The challenges and limitations of each system
• Lessons learned
• Future development plans

Find out more and register here

If you have any questions please Email [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about  Social Prescribing 

Newcastle Climate change forum

Newcastle’s second Climate Change Forum.

Newcastle Upon Tyne’s Climate Change Forum Tickets, Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite

The running theme of the Forum will be creating a greener Newcastle together. It will look at green infrastructure to adapt to climate change while enhancing Newcastle’s nature and biodiversity.
hear from representatives from

• the North East Community Forest Partnership,
• the Blue Green City project
• Newcastle City Council representatives who are leading on biodiversity and nature.

Read more on Newcastle.gov.uk about Climate change 

HealthWatch Annual Survey 2025

Survey deadline 31 March 2025

Healthwatch Newcastle’s uses 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 we have been told.

Healthwatch Newcastle will use your feedback to generate a report based on your views on how you assess the effectiveness of current service provision. They will also use this data to ensure they are reaching all parts of the community and to identify good practice and any gaps in services.

You can take part in the survey and share your recent experiences of health and social care services here

Not online? You can request a paper copy of the Annual Survey by calling 08000 385 116, or by emailing [email protected].

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

Dermatology Patient Advisory Group

Help ensure skin research is relevant and meaningful to those it impacts most – patients like you! Join the NIHR Dermatology Patient Advisory Group

The NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Skin Disease & Oral Disease research theme are looking for people aged over 18 with experience of living with a skin condition or disease and living in the North East of England.

As a member of the group you will:

·         Share your lived experience to shape research priorities

·         Provide feedback on proposed research projects

·         Help advise on research design

·         Receive reimbursement for your time

You can find out more information and register your interest here

Or contact [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about being involved in health research 

NENC  learning disability and epilepsy survey

The North East and North Cumbria Learning Disability Network are looking for feedback from people with a learning disability and epilepsy. They are doing this through an online survey.

The survey will help the NHS North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) o understand your views about services in your local area for people with a learning disability who also have epilepsy and use this feedback to improve them.

You can complete the online learning disability survey here 

Read more on InformationNOW about epilepsy 

NENC regional health literacy survey

Deadline 28 February 2025

The NHS North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) are looking at what types of health literacy tools and resources are currently available to people in the North East and North Cumbria.

They are currently making a set of Health Literacy Standards as well as training and resources to help organisations become more health literate.
This will help them to understand what resources people need. They have also included other questions which will help them to plan their work.

You can have your say on the regional health literacy survey here

Read more on InformationNOW about Health Inequalities 

Working Well

Sometimes people can’t work, or stay in work, because of poor health. The NHS North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) want to help people to stay well enough to work. They will deliver a new programme to support people to do this called Working Well. The Working Well service will offer support tailored to people’s own needs.

They want to earn more about why people can’t work or are struggling to stay in work. To shape this programme they want to hear from:

• People who are in work, but who have a health problem
• People who are not currently in work because of a health problem
• People whose job it is to support people to stay in work

J. Harvey Research Ltd have been commissioned to run 1 hour online discussion sessions

The online discussions for members of the public will be on:

• Wednesday 5th Feb; 1-2pm

The online discussion for people whose job it is to support people will be on.

• Thursday 6th Feb; 6-7pm

All people who take part in an online discussion will receive a £30 One4all Gift Card for your time.

Please email [email protected] if you would like to take part in an online discussion.

Read more on InformationNOW about health problems at work

Multiple health conditions and activities of daily living study

Healthworks Newcastle is supporting an important new research collaboration with Northumbria University and Dimitrios Megaritis.
This research focuses on using wearable technology to track and understand mobility in daily life, helping to improve management for people with multiple long-term health conditions.

If you are living with two or more long term health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, stroke, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arhtritis, chronic pain they want to hear from you.
Your experience could help learning about how these conditions impact walking and everyday activities and improve care others.

Contact Dimitrios by Email at: [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about getting involved in community research and engagement

UK Poverty 2025: The essential guide to understanding poverty

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have published their flagship report ‘UK Poverty 2025: The essential guide to understanding poverty‘ setting out the nature of poverty in the UK in the run-up to last year’s General Election. This year’s report also sets out the scale of action necessary for the Government to deliver a change

You can read the essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK report by Joseph Rowntree Foundation here

Read more on InformationNOW about Support for people with low incomes

Health and wellbeing during Ramadan sessions

Ramadan takes place around February 28 this year. Connected Voice Haref are offering free ‘Health and Wellbeing during Ramadan’, sessions which aim to promote information around diabetes and nutrition, while observing the importance of sawm (fasting) and culturally significant meals and foods.

If you are interested in attending or organising a session, please contact [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about Religious and cultural festivals 

Right to healthcare cards

Groundswell have printable cards reminding GP practices about registration rights. People experiencing homelessness can face difficulties registering with a GP.

To register at a GP surgery a person:

• Does not need a fixed address.
• Does not need identification.
• Their immigration status does not matter.

You can access the ‘My right to healthcare’ cards from Groundswell here

Read more on InformationNOW about your Dr. or GP

Welcome to Badminton

10 February 2025, 2pm to 4pm, Tyneside Badminton Centre, NE5 2TA

Sports sessions for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. You can play badminton, table tennis, or volleyball. Please bring water and comfortable clothes and trainers. All equipment is provided and no experience is needed. Transport costs up to £5 per person will be reimbursed if you show receipt of a ticket.

Please note the sessions at Northumbria sports central have ended.

Read more about this event on InformationNOW

Coffee and Connect

12 February 2025, Lesiure united Blakelaw, Cragston Avenue, NE5 3TS

Do you live in or near to Blakelaw? Want to find out more about support and social connections in your local area?

Drop in to Coffee and Connect at Leisure United Blakelaw, every Wednesday. 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.

See all upcoming Coffee and Connect sessions here 
Read more on InformationNOW about Adult Social CarePoint

FABULOUS! Queer Icons of the North East with Richard Bliss

6 February 2025, bewick Hall, City Library, 33 New Bridge Street West, NE1 8AX, 5:45pm

Find out about the FABULOUS! LGBT icons of the North East. From a radical lesbian magazine publisher from Guisborough; through to a Roman same sex marriage via an Edwardian trans activist from Gateshead. Richard explores the queer history of our region on a virtual tour.

Read more about this event on Information Now

Headway walking football

Wednesdays, Soccerworld, West Road, NE4 9LG

Walking Football sessions adapted for people with acquired brain injuries with support from HeadWay Tyneside.

• 5 February 2025: Walking Football with Headway
• 12 February 2025: Walking Football with Headway
• 19 February 2025: Walking Football with Headway
• 26 February 2025:Walking Football with Headway

Healthworks Newburn health walks

12 February 2025, The Board Room, The Lemington Centre, 12 to 2pm

Join this Healthworks Health Walk in Newburn with the Ramblers Newcastle group. Meeting point is the Newburn Leisure Centre

Read more about this event on InformationNOW

There is also a Newburn walk taking place in Newburn on 19 February 

Walking Basketball

13 February 2025, Sports@Gosforth, Great North Road, NE3 2JH, 6pm

Walking Basketball Newcastle group for people over the age of 35. They meet weekly, on Thursday evenings in Gosforth. The sessions are designed for all levels of fitness and abilities

.Read more about this event on InformationNOW

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

Gateshead Diabetes UK Support Group

New organisation

Gateshead Diabetes UK Support Group is a monthly support group for people living with diabetes in Newcastle and Gateshead. It is one Diabetes UK North local groups that aims to raise awareness, provide support, help, companionship, education, fundraising and information for people living with diabetes their families and carers.

Everyone is welcome to attend the free support group. No membership required. They meet regularly where you have the opportunity to share your experience with other like-minded people. To listen to guest speakers and ask questions. They discuss a range of topics such as diabetes management and hear from medical experts and health care professionals.

Read more about Diabetes on InformationNOW

North East Stage and screen orchestra and choir

New organisation

First Orchestra Rehearsal: 11th February 2025
First Choir Rehearsal: 18 February 2025

North East Stage and screen orchestra and choir or NESSOC are a orchestra and choir group that meets on Tuesdays in Newcastle Arts Centre. There are no auditions for the orchestra or choir groups. The 2 groups alternate weekly. Doors open at 6:30pm for rehearsal to start at 6:45pm. Rehearsal will then finish by 9pm.​

They play a range of music from both the stage and the screen: such as musicals, films and video games. There are no restrictions or limitations about who can join.
They want anyone who wants to play music gets the chance to!
They use sheet music so being able to read it will help, however, if you are joining the choir, it is not required.

Read more on InformationNOW about NESSOC

Action Foundation

Updated organisation

Action Foundation support refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants to integrate into the community and lead more independent and resilient lives. They offer a range of support such as:

Young Lives: specialised practical, emotional and social support for asylum seeking and refugee children, families and young people. Email: [email protected] or call 07845 642246.

Read more on InformationNOW about Support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Epilepsy

updated article

Epilepsy can affect anyone at any age, there is local, regional and national support available to help you or anyone affected by epilepsy.

Read more on InformationNOW about Epilepsy

Keeping safe from radicalisation

updated article

Newcastle is a safe and diverse city. But radicalisation can take place. Here’s more information on how to spot signs of radicalisation and how to raise your concerns.

Read more on InformationNOW about keeping safe from radicalisation

Last updated: February 5, 2025