22 May 2025 InfoNOW news

NEWS

Dementia Action week

InformationNOW attended the “Drawn Together” exhibition launch at City Library on Monday to kick off Dementia Action Week. The space has been transformed into a cosy living room, with amazing artwork made by people living with dementia, their families, friends and carers. The exhibition runs until 12 June 2025, so there’s plenty of time to visit.

Newcastle City Library and Community Hub run a memory cafe for people affected by memory loss and their carers

Search Newcastle run regular memory cafes, singing for your brain and other dementia friendly groups.

Silverline Memories run regular memory cafes, support groups, a young onset dementia group and other dementia groups.

Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC) run a monthly football themed memory cafe at St James’ Park on the last Thursday of the month.

Scotswood community garden run dementia friendly gardening sessions

Cornerstone Benwell run woodwork sessions for people with dementia and memory loss

St Georges Church, Jesmond run a dementia friendly singing group on Fridays

St Martins centre run a dementia Memory tea group with activities and information

Newcastle Carers run a monthly Dementia Information and Advice Group for carers of people living with dementia

Alzheimers society Newcastle run a Dementia Voice Local group where people living with dementia and carers can share experiences, be part of focus groups and get involved with local, regional and national projects.

Read more on InformationNOW about Dementia Friendly Newcastle

NGPS Community Health Bus

Newcastle GP Services (NGPS) community health bus is out and about across Newcastle and the north east. Hop on board, no appointment needed, just turn up to get health advice, your blood pressure checked, or your cholesterol monitored by Newcastle Community Health Services team, working with Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria.

28 May – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Royal Quays Outlet, Shopping Centre, North Shields, NE29 6DW

11 June – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, Cottenham St, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5QU

18 June – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Sunderland Bangladeshi International Centre, 30 Tatham St, Hendon, Sunderland, SR1 2QD

25 June – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Newcastle Trampoline Park, Soft Play and Gym, West Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 9LG

2 July – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
LIDL Benwell – (Food Bank Clinic), Benwell Ln, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 6RS

9 July – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
St Silas Church, Clifford St, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1DR

16 July – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Peoples Kitchen, 56 Bath Ln, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5SQ

23 July – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
ALDI, Walker Rd, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3LB

30 July – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Howdon Community Centre, Denbigh Ave, Howdon, Wallsend NE28 0PP

6 August – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
LIDL Benwell – (Food Bank Clinic), Benwell Ln, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6RS

13 August – 10.30am to 3.30pm (closed for lunch break 1-1.30pm)
Killingworth Shopping Centre, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 6YT

Read more on InformationNOW about 10 Tips for good health

Fostering Fortnight

Foster Care Fortnight runs from 12 to 25 May 2025. It raises awareness of fostering and the need for more foster carers in the north east.

Foster care is a way to provide stability and safety for a child who is looked after by a local authority because they cannot live at home, or with family. This may be for a temporary period of time or a long-term need.

Read more about the Benefits of fostering 

Learn about top myths about fostering 

Or find more resources and information on Foster with North East

You can read more about Fostering on Newcastle.gov.uk

Carers at work webinar

9 June, 12.30pm – 1.15pm, online via Teams.

Join this upcoming lunch-and-learn webinar from Working for Carers to gain the knowledge and confidence to support your employees, colleagues, and service-users who are carers.

Every day, 600 people leave work due to struggles balancing work and their caring role.

This free webinar will help you to:

• Understand ‘who is a carer’
• Find out the challenges carers face juggling work and caring
• Implement support for carers at your organisation
• Access free, specialist information and support from the Working for Carers project

You’ll also hear real-life stories from carers and local businesses who’ve implemented further support for carers.

The Working for Carers project supports unpaid carers aged 16+ to find and maintain employment, education, volunteering, and training opportunities. They also work with employers and organisations to become carer-friendly workplaces, including implementing the Carers Leave Act and Flexible Working Act.

Book your space online on Ticket tailor here

Read more on InformationNOW about Top tips for supporting carers in the workplace

Hate ID App and Hate crime support

the Hate ID App, is a collaboration between Connected Voice Advocacy and researchers at Durham and Northumbria Universities which aims to better equip frontline practitioners to identify hate incidents and ensure victims are able to access the right support. The app is free and available on android phones, it asks practitioners a series of questions about the hate incident being reported to them.  

You can find out more about the Hate ID App on Durham Universities website here.

Have you experienced hate crime or been targeted because of your race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity?  Connected Voice Advocacy is a free and independent service that can support. Connected Voice Advocacy Independent Hate Crime Advocates can:

• listen to you and understand what you are going through
• offer emotional support and support you to self-advocate.
• help you to explore your options, know your rights and make informed choices.
• support you to report hate crimes, should you wish to.

The service is open to anyone affected by hate crime who is aged 16 or over, and lives in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North or South Tyneside, or Northumberland.

If you would like to make a referral for yourself or someone else to this you can find out more on Connected Voices website here, Email [email protected] or call 0191 235 7013.

They also offer Hate Crime & Anti-Social behaviour training for organisations. This tailored training course is delivered by the Advocacy team and draws on the latest research they have been involved in with Durham and Northumbria Universities. The training incorporates the use of the new Hate ID App to understand the impact of hate crime, repeated hate relationships, and how to address and seek support for victims.

Connected Voice Hate Crime Advocacy Service and related work is made possible by funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria.

You can find out more about the training on Connected Voices website here

Read more on InformationNOW about Advocacy support to get your voice heard

EC Rider 2025

The Elders Council of Newcastle  have published their 2025 Elders Council (EC) Rider guide. It has ideas for days out using public transport and a Concessionary Travel Pass or Metro Gold card. A senior citizen railcard providing a 33% discount can help travelling further afield.

You can view a flipbook version of the EC Rider on the Elders Council website here

You can view a PDF copy of the EC rider at the link here

Read more on InformationNOW about Day trips and visits

Stop smoking support drop in at Treetop village

Building Futures East Community hub @ Tree Top Village and Newcastle Stop Smoking+ Service are working together to provide weekly specialist stop smoking support in Walker.

The stop smoking service will be at the treetop village hub every Thursday at 10am from 5 June 2025 with:

• friendly non judgemental support
• practical tips
• free resources and advice
• chat to others going through the same journey
• free products for those entitled including vapes

Read more on InformationNOW about Giving up smoking

Neighbourhood Network events June 2025

Reminder – featured previously in InfoNOW News 2 may 2025

The next Neighbourhood networks

Neighbourhood networks allow VCSE organisations, local businesses, and statutory bodies to work together, share insights, and share best practices to support our diverse communities.

• Newcastle Neighbourhood Network: North – Tuesday 3 June, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, Fawdon Community Centre, NE3 2PJ
• Newcastle Neighbourhood Network: Inner West – Thursday 5 June, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, Riverside Community Health Project, NE4 8XS

you are welcome to bring a support worker or personal assistant to help with your access needs—please indicate an additional person on the registration form. If you have any access requirements, please get in touch. Access Guides will be sent out ahead of the events.

Read more on InformationNOW about Newcastle Neighbourhoods

SPOTLIGHT ON

Age without limits 2025: Ageism Action Day

Age Without Limits Day is a day for us all to come together and take action to end ageism – as individuals, with friends and family, in our communities and in our workplaces. It will take place on 11 June 2025. This year the theme of Age Without Limits Day is Celebrate Ageing. Challenge Ageism. 

You can find out more about Ageism Action Day and find resources on their website

There are also events in Newcastle to celebrate older peoples contributions:

Ageing Without Limits – Creative Workshop

10 June 2025 10.30am to 1.30pm, One strawberry Lane, NE1 4BX

Would you like to show the world that even when you are older, you can still have fun, make a contribution and have value?  If so, please join Elders Council of Newcastle  at this event for fun and laughter as you work with artist Sharon Bailey to create images to show that you can age without limits!

Age without Limits: Creative placard workshop

11 June 2025, 10am to 2pm, City Library, 33 New Bridge Street West, NE1 8AX

A creative session with Search Newcastle and Sharon Bailey at  City Library making placards about ageing well.

Read more on InformationNOW about Age Friendly Newcastle

Celebrating Windrush, challenging myths

14 June 2025, 11:45 am to 1:45 pm. Newcastle City Library, Bewick Hall

An afternoon of film, discussion, poetry, and song celebrating the achievements of the Windrush generation and their descendants. Entry ot the event is free and their are prizes to be Won!

The event features Nairobi Thompson, Poet in residence for the Windrush foundation and Dr Beverley Prevatt Goldstein, coordinator of the African lives in Northern England project

Read more on InformationNOW about this event

HI NENC digital inclusion forum

9 June 2025, 1:30pm to 3pm, Online

Join to be part of a regional digital inclusion forum that supports, connects and drives an inclusive and accessible digital transformation agenda and supports ‘No one left behind’.

This session

• Hear from Maria Williams, Deputy Director of Digital Programmes and Governance and Rebecca McIntosh Head of Digital and Infrastructure about the  NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NHS NENC ICB) Digital Inclusion Strategy
• Hear from Jon Quine  Head of Programme – Healthcare, Inequalities, North East Commissioning Support about health inclusion
• Hear from Bethany Taylor, Training and Benefits Lead about the Great North Care Record

OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer recruitment fair

3 June 2025, 10am to 3pm, Newcastle Cathedral, St Nicholas Square, NE1 1PF

Looking to make a difference by volunteering for a charity in the North East but not sure where to start? Or are you part of a local organisation eager to grow your volunteer team?

Newcastle Cathedral are holding a Volunteer Recruitment during this year’s Volunteers’ Week in partnership with Connected Voice and Volunteer Centre Newcastle.

The event will bring North East charities and potential volunteers together. It’s also a nopportunity for organisations to network and share ideas. If you are looking for a new volunteer role or are working with beneficiaries that could benefit from volunteering, come along!

If you would like a stall to showcase your organisation’s volunteer role/s, please contact the Cathedral’s Volunteer Coordinator Vanessa Ward at [email protected]

Read more about volunteering on InformationNOW

Big River Bakery – One Loaf at a Time Employability Programme

27 May, Every Monday and Tuesday for 10 weeks, 10am – 2pm, Wretham Place, Shieldfield, NE2 1XU

Big River Bakery are offering a free Baking themed employability course – open to anyone living in the Newcastle area. Great for anyone looking to get into working with food or hospitality.

They are looking for 10 participants to start their journey on Tuesday 27th May for 10 weeks every Monday and Tuesday. The purpose of this course is to get the majority of participants into paid employment.

To apply

• You must be unemployed.
• You must be a resident of Newcastle
• You must be aged 17 or over and looking for work.

For more details please email: [email protected]

Read more about Support to prepare for work or a job

Skills for independence, volunteering and work session

23 May 2025, 10am to 12pm, The Dene Centre, Castles Farm Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1PH

This informal event is for disabled people aged 19 and over who are looking to build skills, gain confidence, and take steps toward volunteering and/or paid employment. The event is a meet and greet drop-in taking place at Disability North to engage participants, showcase inclusive activities and explore interests and potential progression routes.

Potential Accredited Courses include:

• Awards in Maths and English Skills (stepping stone Qualifications)
• Vocational Studies
• Employability Skills
• Personal Progress
• Independent Living Skills
• Preparing for Further Learning or Employment

Non-Accredited Options:

Tailored Learning activities with clear personal or vocational outcomes (e.g. cooking, arts, wellbeing, communication skills).

The courses will be identity-tailored, designed to support progression into volunteering or supported employment, either at Disability North, or with external organisations. Ongoing support will be provided from Disability North and PRS Inclusion.

Read more on InformationNOW about Disability Rights at work

Supporting a Neurodiverse Workforce Masterclass

24 June 2025, 12pm – 12:45pm, Online

Reed in Partnership are inviting local organisations to a free Masterclass for VCSEs: Supporting a Neurodiverse Workforce with Jessica MacDonald, Business Development Executive.

The masterclass will cover:
• What is neurodiversity?
• What can neurodiversity bring to the workplace?
• Supporting neurodiversity in the workplace
• Top tips for interviewing neurodiverse candidates

Join to explore neurodiversity, its benefits in the workplace, ways to support neurodiverse employees, and top tips for interviewing neurodiverse candidates!

Book a free space on Microsoft Teams here

Read more on InformationNOW about Adult learning, skills and training

Voice Notes

New Writing North’s World Writes and the Voice Notes project invite all those who speak English as a second or other language (ESOL) to share their stories in the form of a telephone message

join a workshop led by poet Sarah Jackson, where you’ll work collaboratively to create multilingual audio stories. No writing experience required.
You’ll have the opportunity to record your story as part of the PRS New Music Biennial. Extracts will be performed by musician Hardi Kurda in London, Bradford and Newcastle.

The next Workshop is 11am–4pm, Monday 2 June
Performance by Hardi Kurda 5.30–7.30pm, Monday 14 July

For more information, please contact [email protected] 

Read more on InformationNOW about ESOL : English lessons for people who speak English as a second or other language

CONSULTATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

Provision of Carer Support Services – Market Engagement Event

Newcastle City Council are in the process of recommissioning of services and support for carers of all ages across Newcastle.

Newcastle City Council We want to build on the learning shared from the recent implementation of our Carers Strategy and to understand how they can also embed local, regional and national learning and research around how the council can shape the support to better enable carers in their caring role.

To progress this further, we would like to invite you, or a representative from your service/organisation to our service provider event where we will share what we know and enable your views, thoughts and opinions to be included from a provider or professional perspective.

The event will be held via Microsoft Teams on 30 May 2025 from 11am to 12:30pm.

If you would like to join us for the event, please contact:

[email protected] and a Microsoft Teams invite will be shared with you to join us for the event.

RESEARCH AND RESOURCES

Code 4000 is now England-wide – refer today!

Catch-22 are thrilled to announce that their Code 4000 course is now available across England, opening up new opportunities for women affected by the criminal justice system to build a future in tech. The women can have been victims or perpetrators, or be related to the aforementioned.

Code 4000 is more than just a coding programme – it’s a 12-week journey of empowerment that provides participants with:

• One-to-one tutoring from a dedicated computing teacher
• Employability coaching, including six months of post-programme support
• Flexible remote learning, with real-world projects and interactive lessons
• A supportive community, fostering collaboration and networking

Who can apply?

• Women aged 18+
• Residing anywhere in England
• With access to a laptop/desktop and an internet connection
• Have been affected by the criminal justice system – e.g., ex-offender, victim, partner of offender/ex-offender

More information is also available here.

Please share this opportunity with your network and direct any referrals to: [email protected] or [email protected]

Healthwatch Newcastle: ‘What do we mean by a mental health crisis?’

Healthwatch Newcastle have just published their newest report on the public’s perception of ‘what do we mean by a mental health crisis?’

Findings include:

• 45% of participants in our report said they would be comfortable seeking help for mental health issues
• 53% rated their knowledge of how to respond to a mental health crisis as ‘very little’ or worse

Read the report: What do we mean by a Mental Health Crisis? on Healthwatch Newcastle’s website here

Read more on InformationNOW about Get involved in health research

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Active Future Boccia

10 June 2025, 11am to 12pm and 12pm to 1pm, every Tuesday until 15 July, The Dene Centre, Castles Farm Road, NE3 1PH.

Disability North are launching a new series of Active future Boccia

Boccia is a precision ball sport, similar to bowls. Its fully inclusive for players of al abilities including those with physical disabilities. Other sessions will take place

Read more on InformationNOW about Fitness Activities

Welfare Rights Benefits advice session

Read more on InformationNOW about Newcastle Welfare Rights Service

Fair on the Square

29 and 30 May 2025, 11 AM – 3 PM – Hadrian Square, Byker, NE6 1AL

Fair on the Square is two days of vintage thrills and colourful family fun in the heart of Byker!

• Enjoy free rides and funfair entertainment for all ages: Soar above the square on a classic Ferris wheel, take a spin on the carousel, or brave the twists of the helter skelter—all with that timeless, traditional fairground charm.
• Meet pop-up performers: Keep your eyes peeled for the charismatic Ringmaster, sparkling Showgirls, and whimsical vintage circus acts bringing the magic of the fair to life with walkabout performances and surprise moments.
• Live music with a twist: A fun, roaming band will keep the good vibes rolling throughout the day. (Band to be announced soon!)

Read more on InformationNOW about

Skills for people summer party

21 June 2025, 1:30pm to 4:30pm, The Globe, 11 Railway street, NE4 7AD

Skills for People are having a Summer Party at the Globe, open to people who have a learning disability or are autistic, their families and carers.

Call 01912818737 or email [email protected] if you’d like to attend

Read more on InformationNOW about this event

Local History Month at Newcastle Libraries

May is local history month and theres still some events to join to learn more about the history of Newcastle.

Tracing your family history 

Meet friendly volunteers from the Northumberland and Durham Family History Society, ask questions and get advice. Drop in session no booking required

East Quayside and St Ann’s church walk

Join Mike greatbatch for a walking tour of Newcastles former industrial port and hinterland. includes a visit to historic st anns church where tea and coffee will be served.

Read more on InformationNOW about Hobbies

Shieldfield Summer solstice celebration

21 June 2025, 12:30pm to 4pm

Celebrate the longest day of the year when the sun is at its peak. Help harvest the collective garlic crop and enjoy delicious food, crafts and more!

Read more about this event on Information Now

NEW AND UPDATED ON INFONOW

Cinemas Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) Card

Updated organisation

barriers that result from sight or hearing loss, having limited mobility or being neurodivergent.

• Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment
• are registered blind

Cinema Information – CEA Card

They also list information on accessible cinemas and cinemas that accept the CEA card. You can find out more about this on their website here

Reading with dementia

New organisation

Reading with dementia is a project  from Equal Arts and Newcastle Libraries creating books, publications and dementia friendly resources for people living with dementia. They also run free, creative workshops in Newcastle.

RECONNECT

New organisation

RECONNECT is a NHS service that helps people with health needs leaving prison to access health and support service in their community.

Read more about RECONNECT on Information Now

Leaving Prison

New article

Leaving prison and moving back into the community can come with many challenges, for people who have already left prison having a criminal record can continue to be a challenge. This article gives tips and lists local and national support available to help.

Do you work with people leaving the justice system and want to add your information or help us improve our information? Please contact us: [email protected] 

Making decisions and your mental capacity

Updated article

Some people have difficulties making decisions, also known as mental capacity. This could be due to a learning disability, dementia, a mental health condition, a brain injury or a stroke. This article looks at the law and support available for people who cant make decisions

Read more about Making decisions and your mental capacity on Information Now

Last updated: May 22, 2025