InfoNOW news 1 June 2022

News

InformationNOW

Our What’s On podcast can be found on our News page, covering Carers Week, Volunteers Week, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Refugees week and Tony Huzzard talks about his love of music, singing and writing.

Energy Bills Support Scheme

The government is providing over £15 billion in further support to help with the cost of living increase, for people with the greatest needs. This means that almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households will get £1,200 of one-off support in total this year to help with the cost of living, with all domestic electricity customers receiving at least £400.

households will get £400 of support with their energy bills through an expansion of the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
£650 one-off Cost of Living Payment for those on means tested benefits:
one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
£500m increase and extension of Household Support Fund

Read the Cost of Living Increase Support factsheet from gov.uk published 26th May 2022

TogetherAll – new online mental health service

A new free, safe and anonymous online mental health service is now available for people living in Newcastle and Gateshead. TogetherAll is a place where you can safely voice your feelings and connect with others for your wellbeing. The service is available 24/7 and moderated by mental health professionals and led by an on-duty clinical team to ensure users are safe and supported.

Dr Mark Dornan, a local GP and lead at the NHS Newcastle Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said “It’s a safe place to connect with like-minded people, with tools to help with anxiety, depression, low mood or stress. We want to make sure that whatever your needs, there are a range of options so you can get the right support.”

Togetherall is the latest in a series of new mental health services commissioned for local people by NHS Newcastle Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). It follows the recent launch of a mental health support line operated by Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, as well as the Qwell online counselling and emotional wellbeing service.

Need urgent help now?

Adults call 0800 652 2863 for the CNTW crisis and home treatment team
Children and young people call 0800 652 2864, CNTW children and young persons crisis team
Text number for people who are Deaf and/or have communication difficulties use 07919 228 548

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

There are lots of events to keep you occupied over the 4 day holidays. From circus skills at Byker Pantry to a tea or lunch at a church or community centre or with Silverline Memories. At Newcastle Cathedral the new Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear will express thankfulness for the Queen’s faith, service and seventy-year reign. You can join in person or watch on You Tube.

Have a look at our events and activities section. Most events are free, but one or two need booking in advance.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon Event at Hodgkin Park, 2nd June

Date: Thursday 2 Jun 2022

The local showcase at Hodgkin Park will culminate in the lighting of the Beacon. There will be carnival workshops and performances – plus community stalls, free street food from the Dialogue Society and craft activities from Beelines NE and artist Petra Ondrova. For all ages.

8.15pm bommunity carnival performances
9.20pm main carnival experience, featuring musicians Hannabiell Sanders, Yilis Suriel and Yuvel Soria
9.40pm the beacon ceremony will start, introduced by Councillor Rob Higgins, finishing with the lighting of the beacon by Carole Rowland, West End Food Bank Welfare Manager.

The event, organised by Urban Green Newcastle, features the official lighting of the Beacon at Hodgkin Park in Benwell which will be in unison with the Ouseburn, the Civic Centre and a further 70 beacons along Hadrian’s Wall as part of the Hadrian 1900 celebrations and more than 2,022 across the country

Urban Green Newcastle’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event is kindly supported by Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and Newcastle City Council.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Civic Centre

Queen’s Jubilee celebrations at the Civic Centre, 2nd June

Families are invited to gather for picnics in the grounds of St Thomas’ Church on June 2 from 6pm ahead of a night of entertainment at Newcastle Civic Centre’s Ceremonial Way hosted by BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Alfie Joey.

Starting at 7.15pm, there will by performances from the Shoeshop Quartet, musician Chris Cowan, the Northern Monkey Brass Band, street theatre show Spark, a piper and bugler.

A beacon-lighting ceremony will take place at the Civic Centre at 10pm alongside scores of others along the route of Hadrian’s Wall to celebrate its 1900 anniversary.

Local choir Sing United will sing a song for the Commonwealth called A Life Lived with Grace.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Ouseburn

Queen’s Jubilee celebrations at Ouseburn, 2nd June

The Hadrian’s Wall Beacon Party will be hosted by Ouseburn Trust and Cumberland Arms from 4 pm to 11 pm.

A storytelling event will take place at the newly refurbished story circle by the pub and there will be live music on the terrace and food from a local vendor.

Revellers will also be able to enjoy an exclusive Roman beer brewed by Northern Alchemy; performances by the Kingsmen and a light and music show before the lighting of the beacon at 10pm.

As part of the wider Jubilee celebrations across the city, houses, pubs and businesses will be decked out with flags and bunting.

Landmarks including the Civic Centre and the Tyne Bridge will be illuminated red, white and blue.

Opportunities for action

Private Rented Drop in Service

A new service has been set up in the East and West of the City. Help with landlord issues, tenancy issues, budgeting and debt.

Read more on InformationNOW about buying or renting ordinary housing and getting advice about landlord or tenancy issues

Day Centres and job opportunity

Day centres are useful for anyone with mobility difficulties or if you need help with personal care. The service often includes transport, a meal and refreshments and staff are around to assist you and to organise activities. . The Welford Centre is for adults over the age of 18 who have learning disabilities and additional complex needs and they want to recruit Health and Social Care Officers (Welford Day Centre) – Newcastle City Council – North East Jobs. A referral is required through Community Health and Social Care Direct to use The Welford Centre.

Re-advertisement: Closing date: 21st June 2022

Project Multaka for Refugees and Asylum seekers

The aim of the project is to work with refugees and asylum seekers to explore Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums‘ collections and spaces. Supported by staff you will explore the various exhibitions and go on to develop a tour or learn to lead a discussion about particular museum objects in your first language. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please go along to their information event:

Friday 10 June 2022, 1 to 3pm
Discovery Museum, Blandford Square

Travel costs will be reimbursed on the presentation of a ticket. This is partnered with WERS Skillsmatch and you can also find details at: skillsmatch.info/signin. For more information please contact: [email protected]

Read more on InformationNOW about museums and attractions and slow museums

Become a member of NUTH FoundationTrust and make a difference

NUTH Foundation Trust wants new members to reflect the community they serve and the workforce that they support. They need your voice. If you are over the age of 16 years you can join. You will get to attend events, both online and face to face and to vote for Governors and share your views. They particularly would like more members from the LTGBT +, disabled and ethnic minority communities. You can apply here.

Newcastle Sanctuary Forum, Wednesday 22nd June

The Newcastle City of Sanctuary forum meeting is taking place in Refugee week. The Sanctuary Forum is a space for people to come together to learn, share and explore the issues related to migration and seeking sanctuary in Newcastle. This meeting will focus on how to maximise opportunities to harness and consolidate the goodwill of people supporting the work in the city, as well as looking at how to increase the ‘reach’ of the City of Sanctuary values, narrative and ideas. Book ahead.

Little Orange Book Evaluation

Newcastle Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group is working with local universities to evaluate The Little Orange Book.

The Little Orange Book has information and advice on everything from common minor ailments like teething, constipation and colds, to more serious conditions like measles or Covid-19 and meningitis. It explains:

how to manage common illnesses and conditions experienced by babies and young children
guidance on what to look out for
using a traffic light system, when to seek help

You don’t need to have used The Little Orange Book to participate in the survey, but you must be over 18 years of age. You can read the content and download a copy on InformationNOW.

Complete the survey online or contact Dr [email protected] if you need the survey in another language or format.

Carers Week 2022, 6th to 12th June

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

Many people took on new caring responsibilities during the Covid-19 Pandemic and many provided increased amounts of care, all of which has had a far reaching effect on family members, friends and families. Carers need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing and respected for all they do. Caring for someone can impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work and whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated.

Caring without the right information and support can be tough so it’s really important that carers get the support they need

If you or someone you know is a carer, you can find more information about services or support by visiting Newcastle Carers or InformationNOW

Fiona Richardson, Carers Lead Officer, 07970626326 email [email protected]

Each day of Carers Week will have a different focus, which you may find useful to plan your activities and social media/communications around.

Monday: launch of Carers Week and health and social care issues affecting carers

Tuesday: work and employment

Wednesday: visible, valued and supported

Thursday: younger carers

Friday: older carers

Saturday: mental health and wellbeing

Sunday: reflections on Carers Week 2022

What’s happening during Carers week in Newcastle

Visit our Events and Activities section on InformationNOW to see the upcoming Carers Week events.

Carer Friendly Accreditation Workshop

Online workshop: Wednesday 8 June, 4pm to 5pm

Are you a GP or health professional working in a GP surgery?
Are you a teacher or professional working in an education setting?

Join Newcastle Carers online to find out how you can gain an award for the work you are doing to identify and support carers in Newcastle.

They want to celebrate your achievements during Carers Week and share your good practice. This workshop will improve your understanding of carers and inform about their new and free accreditation scheme.

For more information and to book your free place on the workshop visit InformationNOW

Pop up Carers information stalls

Come along to talk find out more about the support you can get from

Newcastle Carers
Volunteering Matters
PROPS
British Red Cross Carers Emergency Contact Scheme

Time: 9.30 am to 1.30 pm

Monday 6 June 2022 at Medi-Cinema, RVI Pop up Carers information stalls

Wednesday 8 June 2022 at Main Entrance, Freeman Hospital Pop up Carers information stalls

Friday 10 June 2022 at Medi-Cinema, RVI Pop up Carers information stalls

Carers week at CNTW

Patient and Carer and Involvement Service at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) is hosting a series of events for carers.

Meditate with us Tuesday 7th June, 12:00 to 12:30pm

Involvement Bank Information Session Wednesday 8th June, 6:30pm

Find out more about the Involvement Bank. Join CNTW for this virtual session.
To join the involvement bank you need to have used secondary mental health services as service user or carer.
This session may be useful to staff working with carers who could find out more about the involvement bank to help signpost people.

Cuppa for carers drop in for a virtual cuppa and a chat
Friday 10th June, 12:00 to 12:30pm

Making Caring Visible

Wednesday 8th June from 11am to 2pm Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust (CNTW)

For Carers Week, the Patient and Carer Involvement Service at CNTW (Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust) would like to invite Carers and families of people using their services and those who work with carers, to an online information event “Making Caring Visible”, on Wednesday 8th June from 11am to 2pm. This information session designed to showcase the work of the Trust for Carers and families. They have several speakers and presenters throughout the event, including: Carers sharing their personal stories, The Involvement Service, CEO James Duncan, Carer Champions and more. Please feel free to drop in throughout the three hour live event.

For further joining information; please contact [email protected]

Report: 75% of women of colour have experienced racism at work

The Broken Ladders report, published last week by gender equality organisation, the Fawcett Society, and the UK’s race equality think tank, the Runnymede Trust, shows (based on 2,000 responses), the structural racism faced by women of colour at work, as well as demonstrating the different experiences of women from different ethnic minority groups and religions.

The data shows that:

50% of women of Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage and 48% of women of Black African heritage stated that they had been criticised for behaviours other colleagues get away with at work, compared to 29% of White British women.
black women of Caribbean heritage, and women of East Asian and Chinese heritage were the least likely to report ‘often’ or ‘always’ feeling comfortable in their workplace culture, at 43% and 41%, respectively.
Muslim women were significantly more likely to make changes to themselves at work than non-religious women or women of other religions. 53% of Muslim women changed the clothes they wear at work ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a bit’, compared to 37% of Christian women and 32% of non-religious women.

Supporting your autistic child workshops

There are 4 North East Autism Hubs supporting parent and carers of children before, during and after being diagnosed with autism. They help families with children under 7 years old living in Newcastle at:

Nunsmoor Centre, Studley Terrace. Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5AH
Galafield Centre, Newbiggin Lane, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 1LZ
Byker Sands Family Centre, 19 Raby Cross, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2FF
Fawdon Community Building, NE3 2SN (site of North Fawdon Primary School)

At the Autism Hubs you can get support, training and advice. Book a place to take part in one to one sessions or workshops. These sessions will cover:

worries and action planning
common misconceptions
differences in autistic children
practical strategies to use in everyday life

See InformationNOW for the upcoming events and how to book a place for these and other appropriate courses.

Events & Activities

Blaydon Races

Time: 9 June, 7.15 pm

Don’t forget that the Blaydon Races are on next week. This 10 km route follows that taken by horse race goers in 1862, also in the words of the Geordie folk song The Blaydon Races written by Geordie Ridley. The words are used as the basis for the whole race. The race starts at Grey Street, heads west along Scotswood Road, finishing in Blaydon. Go out and cheer.

New and updated Organisations

Employee Ownership Association

Employee Ownership Association has a membership list of employee owned organisations. They help individuals and organisations to choose the right model and can provide guidance, advice and support to those considering the transition to employee ownership.

Company of Others

The Company of Others is a dance theatre company based in the North East of England. They collaborate with people who have experience of being ‘othered’ by the society we live in, to co-create dance theatre experiences which highlight and share stories of the human experience through their lens.

Asthma and Lung UK

Asthma and Lung UK is a merged organisation, formerly Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation. They provide advice and guidance to people who need respiratory advice. They also campaign for better care and fund research. They have a helpline with respiratory nurses, health care advisors and specialist nurses.

Community Champions

Community Champions work across the City to share public health messages related to Covid and vaccines.

Updated articles

Problems at Work

Problems at Work may arise for many different reasons. You may be a carer, have your own health difficulties or a disability or feel that you are being bullied, harassed or discriminated against. This article takes you through what to do and where to get advice.

Lifelong Learning

Taking up learning opportunities at any age can enhance your life and help you to feel healthier and happier. If you want to get out and about and do activities where you can meet other people, you could do a lifelong learning course.

What is Lifelong Learning?

There are a number of different options open to you if you are thinking about learning a new skill or developing an existing interest further. Courses can be formal or informal and range from one-off workshops, to longer courses that can last for weeks or months.

You can find out about courses in your area at your local library or community centre or hub.

Last updated: September 23, 2022

Looking for a place to spend time and get support in Newcastle?