23rd June 2023 InfoNOW News

NetworkNOW have you booked your place?

Our first NetworkNOW meeting of 2023 is taking place on 30th June 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Newcastle Civic Centre.

Join us to hear from our guest speakers, find out more about local services, InformationNOW and how you can get involved. The agenda for the sessions is now confirmed.

Guest speakers include:

Megan Ramsey, Social Prescribing Link Worker at Saville Medical Group, Newcastle GP Services

Fiona Richardson, Carers Lead at Newcastle City Council

Jake Turnbull Engagement and Involvement Lead, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Lisa King, Digital Inclusion Programme Coordinator at Get online Newcastle

Chiara Cafasso, Partnership Liaison Officer at NHS Newcastle Talking Therapies

InformationNOW at Sanctuary Strategy Forum

InformationNOW attended the launch of Newcastle Councils Sanctuary strategy where they were awarded Council of Sanctuary status for the work supporting people seeking sanctuary, refugees and asylum seeker in Newcastle. InformationNOW is proud to be working as part of a network to ensure Newcastle is a welcoming city in person and online.

Read more on InformationNOW about Support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Leave Newcastle Happy

Leave Newcastle Happy launched this week to help students and residents to donate and recycle their unwanted items in their neighbourhoods.

Newcastle city council are proudly working with community business partners on this exciting project.

For more information on recycling visit Newcastle.gov.uk 
Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about recycling and reusing

Metro improvements

Work is taking place to improve signalling on Tyne and Wear Metro. There will be changes to the service on:

• Saturday 24 June: No Metro service between Jesmond and South Gosforth/Four Lane Ends until about 6.15pm
• 24 and 25 June: No Metro service between South Gosforth and Airport all day
• 23 to 30 June: Some first and last train times will be different to normal. We’ll be asking customers to plan their journey in advance.

Replacement bus service 900 (Haymarket to Four Lane Ends) and 901 (Haymarket/South Gosforth to Airport) will be in operation during the works and will call at or close to all Metro stations affected. There will also be an express replacement bus service X901 which will serve Haymarket and Airport only every 30 minutes between 8.00am and 6.00pm Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 June 2023.

Metro services will resume between Jesmond and Four Lane Ends at approximately 6.15pm on Saturday 24 June. Metro services between South Gosforth and Airport will resume on Monday 26 June. Between Friday 23 and Friday 30 June 2023, some first and last Metro train times will be different to normal so please check before travelling.

Read more on Public transport

Newcastle Student Advice Centre role

An opportunity to join the Student Advice centre at Newcastle University. This role includes giving general advice on employment, housing, academic, finance, health and personal issues related to students.You can find out more about the role and apply on their website here

Read more on InformationNOW about Newcastle University Student Union – Student Advice Centre

Spire Jobcentre update

The temporary Jobcentre located at The Spire on Pilgrim Street in Newcastle City Centre will be closing on Friday 23 June. due to a decision from the under-secretary of work and pensions

All Jobcentre services currently delivered from the Spire will move to the main Newcastle City Jobcentre at No1 Cathedral Square.

Read more on InformationNOW about Jobcentre Plus

Where to get benefits advice June 2023

This booklet from Newcastle Welfare Rights Service lists organisations that provide independent and non-commercial benefits advice, debt advice and money support for Newcastle residents.

You can download the Where to get advice booklet here

Read more on InformationNOW about Money advice and support

HumanKind LGBT+ Peer mentor

An exciting new volunteering opportunity for LGBT+ young people aged 16-19 living in Newcastle to become a peer mentor is available.  If you or someone you know may be interested in gaining experience and supporting LGBT+ youth by becoming a peer mentor; you can find out more about volunteering for the role using this link here

Read more on InformationNOW about  Humankind: LGBT + North East

Connected Voice Summer Magazine

Connected Voice Summer 2023 Magazine is out now. You can read more about:

• three successful and very different social enterprises and how they have set up and what difference they have made to their local communities here in the North East
• Connected Voice Support and Development has more about choosing the right legal structure and accessing grant funding when setting up a new social enterprise
• how the Connected Voice Business Services team can support you with your organisation’s finances
• the benefits of becoming a member of Connected Voice and how you can join as a voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation

Read more about Connected Voice on InformationNOW

Opportunities for action

Patient, Public and Carer Engagement Forum meeting

Monday 10^th July at 10am until 11.30am at 
Room 2a/2b, Connected Voice, One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4BX

Involvement Team – NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB run this forum for Newcastle NHS Patients, Members of the Public and Voluntary Sector Organisations. Join them to:

• hear more from the Integrated Care Board and other organisations on their work
• have your say, to help shape the work of the ICB and raise issues that are important to you

At this meeting you will hear more about Connected Voice haref, NHS Urgent Care Consultation and patient engagement.

They’re looking for new people to join the forum and would love to hear from you. Contact them at [email protected]  to get involved.

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

Newcastle Holocaust Memorial day funding

Deadline: 5pm on Monday 31 July 2023.

Newcastle’s Holocaust Memorial Day programme is delivered by organisations and community groups with financial support from the council. Activities and events in previous years have included exhibitions, films, plays, lectures and concerts. Applications are now open for grants of up to £1,500 for groups and organisations who would like to contribute to the Holocaust Memorial Day 2024 programme. The deadline for applying is 5pm on Monday 31 July 2023. For more information visit

Read more on Newcastle City Councils website 

Newcastle organ donation and transplant Research

The Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation and Transplantation is based at Newcastle and Cambridge Universities. It’s a group of doctors, researchers, students, scientists, public contributors and support staff who are working to improve things for transplant patients.

are looking for people to take part in research and share their views into organ donation and transplantation.

Their research aims to:

• Improve long-term outcomes and quality of life after transplant,
• Increase the number of organs available for transplantation and Identify those who are not best served by current services
• Improve access to transplantation

To hear more and to get involved please contact Hannah Murray, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement manager on Email [email protected] or phone 0191 208 5489

Read more on InformationNOW about Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation and Transplantation at Newcastle and Cambridge Universities

Digital Inclusion Forum

11 July 2023,1:30 to 3pm Online

The Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC) has been supporting the efforts to create regional digital inclusion forum that supports, connects and drives an inclusive and accessible digital agenda. Their next forum brings together the existing and future members to continue the dialogue and identify best practices that can be shared across the region.

You can register to join this meeting on InformationNOW

A meeting agenda with details of speakers will be confirmed soon. If you would like to contribute to this session, please contact [email protected].

Read more on InformationNOW about Academic Health Science Network (AHSN)

Newcastle Youth Fund

The Newcastle Youth Fund provides funding for not-for-profit organisations to run activities or support services for young people aged 13 – 19, or up to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), in Newcastle localities. The fund aims to support diverse, high quality youth provision and give young people a direct say in their city.

Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that deliver services in Newcastle can apply for:

• between £12,501 and £31,205
• for projects in their local area
• lasting up to 12 months (take place between January 2024 and March 2025)

For more information about eligibility, what funding can be used for and how to apply visit: Newcastle Youth Fund | Newcastle City Council

Read more on InformationNOW about Children’s activities 

Consultations

Have your say about health and social care services

30^th June Deadline

Healthwatch Newcastle and Gateshead are gathering information on local people’s experiences of using health and/or social care services. They want to understand what is happening on the ground and what matters to local people.

Anyone living in Newcastle or Gateshead can complete the online survey.
The survey will be available until 30^th June 2023.

Or call 0191 338 5720 or 0191 338 5721 and they  can talk you through the survey or send out a paper version.

The information collected will be used to help Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle better understand what is going on at a local level and helps them to prioritise future work.

Listening & Acting for Social & Environmental Justice – the North East in Action!

Wednesday, 28 June 12:30 to 2:30pm, Newcastle University, Armstrong Building Floor 1

Explore what people in the North East think and feel about current social, economic, and environmental transitions to do with the climate crisis in the North East region, Together you will help create an action plan led by Tyne & Wear Citizens to take practical steps together towards achieving social and environmental justice in the North East.

For more information about the Tyne and wear citizens event click here or contact [email protected] / 07939 564 395

Read more on InformationNOW about Tyne and Wear citizens

Citizens Advice LGBTQIA+ questionnaire

Citizens Advice Gateshead are currently undertaking a research project looking into common issues faced by the #LGBTQIA+ communities in the North East and whether there are barriers to seeking advice about them. The research aims to identify issues specific to the LGBTQIA+ community that can be addressed by improvements to local Citizens Advice services.

If you are LGBTQIA+, over 18, and live in the North East, please contribute to the research through answering the questionnaire found at this link here: CAG LGBTQIA+ survey 

Read more on InformationNOW about Citizens Advice Newcastle

Road to recovery consultation

Road to Recovery help people to manage their dependence on drugs, alcohol and other addictions and run the George Street social. They are having a consultation for people in and around recovery and want to hear your views.

You can complete the survey using the link here

Read more on InformationNOW about addictions and recovery

Developing a child poverty strategy for the North East

Thursday 29 June, 10am to 1pm at Brunswick Methodist Church Brunswick Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7BJ

The North East Child Poverty Commission (NECPC) and IPPR North have launched a new, collaborative research project which will work over the next year with a wide range of organisations, families and young people from across the North East to develop a child poverty strategy for the region.

They want to hear from as many different organisations as possible from every sector across the North East.
You can find out more and register for the event on Eventbrite

Read more on InformationNOW about Cost of living help and support

Spotlight on…

Shared Lives Week

26 to 30 June

Next week is Shared Lives Week; celebrating the best of Shared Lives and an opportunity to say thank you to carers for the amazing work they do.
To mark the occasion, onWednesday 28^th June at 12pm. a picnic for Shared Lives carers will be held at the Rising Sun Country Park

The Shared Lives concept is a unique model of support, which is rewarding for both the carer and the person using the service. Shared Lives carers share their home and family life with an adult who needs help or support to live well.

You can watch a short explainer video from the Shared Lives team on YouTube

Theyre looking for people to join the service as a carer; it is a paid opportunity with full training and ongoing support provided. If you have patience, flexibility, dedication, commitment and a spare bedroom, you could join the team and become a Shared Lives carer.

Get in touch to find out more:

• 0191 211 5378
• [email protected]

www.newcastle.gov.uk/sharedlives

Learning disability week

19 to 25 June 

This week is learning disability week to bring awareness, support and challenge myths about what it means to live with a learning disability. There are several services in Newcastle that provide support for people and families with learning disabilities

Better Days offer training about learning disabilities and campaign for improvements and inclusion.  They run the Safe Places scheme and offer leisure activities including tennis and garden tidies.

Disability North give information and advice on disability equipment and activities, benefits and Direct Payments as well as advising on many other aspects of disability and signposting to other sources of help.

Families 1st 4 Additional Needs support people and families who live with autism, learning disability, Neurological Diversity and other additional needs (including mental health issues) in and around Newcastle.

Friends Action North East (FANE) support adults with learning disabilities and autism to meet new people and make lasting friendships. They work across Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside.

KeyRing supports vulnerable adults and people with a learning disability or autism.  They encourage people to make links to their communities by becoming part of the network.

Newcastle Carers offer support, advice and guidance to people who look after someone with learning disabilities. They run a monthly autism support group.

Skills for People give information, advice and support services, to disabled children and their families. This includes: help to apply for grants and Positive Behavioural Support workshops for parents and carers of children with autism and/or learning disabilities. To help parents and carers understand and support their child’s behaviour.

Read more on InformationNOW about Housing and support for people with a learning disability or autism 

St Martins centre Open day

Wednesday 5 July 11am to 2:30pm

St Martins Centre are holding an open day where you can pop in to learn about the activities taking place, how you can get involved, and give your ideas for new activities.

At the event there will be taster sessions, a tombola & raffle, and free tea and coffee. There will also be information stalls from other organisations.
The event is open to all to attend.

Read more on InformationNOW about Open Day at St Martin’s Centre

Wicker Chair cafe

The Wicker Chair Café is run by JET (Jobs Education Training) Newcastle.  It is open to the public and also welcomes bookings from groups and can cater for special lunches including buffets.

Their bespoke buffet service is from £4.95 per person, delivery available from £1.50 per mile and with free collection. The bespoke buffet service is in partnership with FareShare North East aimed at reducing food waste in Newcastle.

They also run skills sessions at the cafe such as careers advice, women only and integration projects. ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) programmes, specific to the job market, creative projects and programmes around volunteering.

The Wicker Chair Coffee House & Bistro – Information Now

Research and reports

Through the lens: Demographics, money and mental health

The Through the lens series of reports from Money and mental health policy institute (a finance and mental health charity founded by Martin Lewis) consider research and suggest recommendations on how age, gender and ethnicity affects our experiences of money and mental health problems.

Download the Gender, money and mental health report here
Download the Age, money and mental health report here
Download the Ethnicity, money and mental health report here

Read more on InformationNOW about Mental Health

Resources

Creating a Muslim Friendly Workplace

Muslim Friendly Employers  seeks to work with employers to create ‘Muslim friendly’ workplaces which allow employers to attract the best talent from the Muslim Community.
They have produced a quick guide for employers to support employees during religious observances of Hajj, Umrah and Eid, aimed at fostering an inclusive workplace.

Click here to access the guide

Read more on InformationNOW about Religious and cultural festivals

Proud Allies Training

The Proud Allies training supported by Newcastle Gateshead Initiative will increase awareness and confidence around inclusive language, and engaging with LGBTQIA+ communities. and  is for those actively looking to create safe and welcoming working and customer environments for LGBTQIA+ people.
The training is delivered by Northern Pride in partnership with Curious Arts,

There are 2 upcoming dates for training, both are held 9:30am to 12:20pm at Maldron Hotel Newcastle, Dobson Suite 17 Newgate Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5RE

Proud Allies Training 27 June

Proud Allies Training  30 June

Upcoming Events

Sanctuary Songs

Fridy 23 and Saturday 24 June

Finishing up Refugee week of ‘compassion’ the sanctuary songs art festival concludes this weekend.
There are many visual art exhibitions to visit. The exhibitions are in the Long Gallery, Ex Libris Gallery and Atrium spaces within Newcastle University.

Sanctuaries of Sound is an audio installation located outdoors in the red brick Arches of the Armstrong Building, near the entrances to the Fine Art department and Hatton Gallery.

There is also an Art workshop on Friday 23 June

The exhibitions are free and open to all. The art workshop is aimed at migrants and displaced persons.

Read more on InformationNOW about Sanctuary Songs Arts Festival 2023

Great get together Events

Saturday 24 to Monday 26 June

The Great Get Together supports hundreds of events taking place across the country, connecting people in communities of all ages to help reduce loneliness.

Join other volunteers and members from GoodGym and Urban Green to get active, do a good deed for your local community and just get together!

Saturday 24 June 10am to 12pm
Keep the paths clear at Jesmond Dene

Sunday 25 June 10am to 12pm
Paint the gates at Hodgkin Park 

FoodCycle have a great get together meal where you can come along to try some free food and chat, relax and get to know others in your local community.

Monday 26 June 6:30 to 7:30pm
FoodCycle: A Great Get Together meal 

Read more on InformationNOW about the Jo Cox foundation and Great get together

Armed forces charity rugby match

Saturday 24 June 3pm

Military vs Cancer are organising The UK Armed Forces V North of England Select rugby match, at the home of Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park.

This charity match is celebrating Armed forces day to say thank you to our armed forces, veterans and cadets for everything they do
Find out more and book a space on InformatioNOW

Read more on InformationNOW about Mental health support for armed forces veterans

Baton of Hope Tour

Tuesday 27 June 8am to 7:15pm

Baton of Hope is the Uks biggest suicide awareness and prevention inititative, where a ‘baton of hope’ tours local communities to raise the profile and start conversations around suicide. The Baton’s ‘Newcastle’ route takes place on Tuesday 27th June and covers large parts of Newcastle, but also enters North Tyneside and Gateshead

Find out more about the Baton of Hope tour on InformatioNOW

Read more on InformationNOW about Suicide and prevention

Springbank Pavilion at Leazes Park

Every Wednesday & Thursday from 5 July

Free nature inspired arts and wellbeing programme for all the community in Newcastle’s first city park! Inspired by our natural surroundings, explore your creativity through weekly arts and crafts workshops guided by a local artist.
The sessions are part of Urban Green Newcastle and Newcastle Hospitals Springbank Pavilion Project, a pilot arts & health project to engage NHS Trust staff, patients, visitors, or people in the community in short arts activities in green spaces for improved wellbeing.

Creative and Curious by Curious Arts

Wednesdays 2 to 4pm until 4 October
Find out more and book a space on InformatioNOW

Cultural Threads by GemArts

Thursdays 11am to 1pm until 5 October
Find out more and book a space on InformatioNOW

Read more on InformationNOW about Urban Green Newcastle

Updated and new organisations

Involve North East

Involve NE are a patient and public involvement service. They work with patients, and a diverse range of communities to find out their views to help commissioners design the best, most responsive and cost-effective health and wellbeing services.

They developed the English for Health videos

Read more on InformationNOW about Involve North East

Connected Voice Advocacy

Connected Voice provide advocacy support for adults with health and social care needs in Newcastle and Gateshead. They can support you to get your voice heard.

Read more on InformationNOW about Connected Voice Advocacy

HM Coastguard

HM Coastguard is an emergency service, like the Police, Ambulance and Fire Service. You can call them in an emergency situation when someone is in danger at sea, the beach or around the coast. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They help to:

• find missing people and boats (maritime search and rescue (SAR))
• rescue people such as climbers stuck on cliffs, or in mud
• rescue vessels, boats and people in trouble at sea

Read more about Emergency Services on InformationNOW 

HumanKind LGBT+ North East

The Humankind LGBTQ+ service for young people aged 11-25yrs, gives friendly, practical support around gender identity and/or sexual orientation, in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Read more on InformationNOW about Humankind: LGBT + North East

Updated and new articles

Housing for Older people

There are a wide range of housing types available for people over 55 years and older people. Help and advice is available to help weigh up your options and to choose:

• Retirement housing (sheltered housing)
• Assisted living (extra care)  such as Tish Murtha House
• Almshouses
• Care homes
• Advice on choosing the right accommodation for you

Read more on InformationNOW about Housing for older people

Help with gardening

There are schemes that can provide you with a reliable gardener to help keep you garden in good condition at an affordable price.

Read more on InformationNOW about Help with gardening

Recycle and reuse

Recycling – what it means and how you can make a difference to our environment by recycling, composting and reusing materials.

Last updated: July 5, 2023