InfoNOW News 13 May 2022

News

Promote your organisation’s social media accounts on InformationNOW

Did you know you can promote your organisations’ social media accounts on InformationNOW? You can now include your Instagram, You Tube and What’sApp alongside Twitter and Facebook.

Please check your organisation listing and add your social media links, so that people can find and follow your organisation.

If you don’t know your log in details contact us at [email protected]

Pilot project for LGBTQ+ young people and their families

Barnardo’s has been commissioned to offer support to any family living in Newcastle, with a child or young person aged 19 years or under. Their support is delivered through one-to-one work, group work or whole family support according to need. To request support or to find out further information, you can either email the service inbox (which is monitored daily) [email protected] or call the office on 0191 271 4615.

Read more on InformationNOW about Family and relationship problems

New protections for rape survivors at Newcastle Crown Court

More victims of rape and sexual offences will be spared the stress of being cross-examined in court under a measure rolled out to a a further 14 locations this week, including Newcastle Crown Court. The new video recording approach takes place as close to the time of the offence as possible while memories remain fresh, The measures aim to reduce trauma to help them give better evidence. The scheme, which has already been successful in 12 Crown Courts empowers survivors and witnesses of crimes, such as rape and modern slavery, to have their cross-examination video-recorded and played later during trial.

Read more on InformationNOW about personal safety and sexual health

The Late Shows are back this weekend

The Late Shows, Newcastle’s late-night culture festival is back. Friday 13th activities will be centred on Ouseburn and Saturday 14 May will be Newcastle, Gateshead and Quayside. Over 40 museums, galleries, studio collectives and landmark historical buildings will come together to offer one-off events including hands-on workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, performances and parties.

Organisations involved include:
The Biscuit Factory, Northern Print, Ouseburn Farm and The NewBridge Project on 13th and The Baltic Centre, Arcadea, Life on 14 May.

Opportunities for Action

Carers Emergency Contact Scheme Newcastle

The British Red Cross run the Carers Emergency Contact Scheme in Newcastle. It’s for adults, caring for adults.

It’s a free service, so the person you care for can be looked after if you have a personal crisis such as, an illness, accident or emergency. Your plan is kept safe and available in an emergency. You are given:

help to write your emergency contact plan, so they know what support the person you care for needs
a card to carry, so other people and emergency services, know you’re a carer and someone relies on you

In an emergency, your plan can be put into action. Even if you already have an emergency plan with a friend, relative or neighbour, it’s a good idea to register online for the Carers Emergency Card Scheme.

Read more on InformationNOW about Looking after someone

You can download the leaflet to share with others.

This scheme is funded by Newcastle City Council

Dementia Action week 16 May to 22nd May

This year’s Dementia Action week is focusing on ‘ diagnoses’. Covid had an impact on the way in which GP services worked and there has been a reduction in dementia diagnoses. With the right support people with dementia can live a good quality of life, doing what matters most to them for as long as possible.

Alzheimer’s Society research shows that there is a misconception that memory loss is just a sign of ageing or normal and thus people don’t seek an assessment. With diagnosis rates falling to a five-year low, they want to encourage those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to get guidance and support and feel empowered to take the next step.

Dementia activities include:

Silverline Memories provide Dementia Cafes, a Doodle Group and Life story sessions. Also a Dementia carer session by Zoom
Search Newcastle hold a regular Memory Tea and Memory Cafe
City Library has a number of resources including Tovertafel: magic table’ which projects animations onto surfaces for user interaction and is designed for people living with dementia. They will be demonstrating the ‘magic table’ throughout the drop in session
Scotswood Garden runs Gardening for Dementia on Fridays

National Children’s Day, 15 May 2022

On 15th May 22 it is National Children’s Day. On this day and the week leading up to it, we celebrate the great work that organisations do to help promote the rights of children. This year’s theme is “Choose Kind”, exploring how everyone can make the effort to be kind, but also exploring what makes people unkind. The aim is that every child has a healthy childhood.

Newcastle has a range of charities supporting children in Newcastle including:

There are 4 children and families hubs in Newcastle including: Galafield, Byker Sands, Cowgate and Fawdon Centres. Services at the hubs include: health visiting, family support, community midwifery, mental health support, children’s therapies, youth provision, training opportunities, childcare and employability services. The North East Autism Hub is based at the Nunsmoor Centre.

Newcastle’s Local Offer hosts information, advice and support that young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) and their families can use. The Newcastle Support Directory includes clubs and groups available to children, young people and their families.

Read more on InformationNOW about

Research & Reports

Thinking about retiring early?

According to the insurance firm Aviva, one in four people want to retire at 60 years. They believe that they will be happier and have more freedom. However, your finances may worsen as a result. It’s worth noting that if you have paid off your mortgage and your children have moved out, your expenditure will change significantly. According to Which a single person may spend an average of £19,000 a year and two people in a household may spend £26,000 a year on basic necessities, hobbies and a European holiday.. £41,000 a year enables more leisure activities, a long haul holiday and a regular new car. Doesn’t sound too bad?

Recommendations:

Look at your state pension and then what your private/workplace pension will cover. You could increase your contributions and if that is matched by an employer then even 1% will make a big difference.
Consider a life-time ISA – aimed at people aged 18 to 39 years. There are some restrictions – you can save until your are 50 years, but can’t access it till you are 60 years.
Track down lost pension pots- use the pension tracing service.
Save into tax free ISA
Protect yourself from pension scams

Resources and Training

Skills Hub Newcastle

Looking for a job or career change? Skills Hub Newcastle can help.

On a fortnightly basis they have regular sessions where you can talk to representatives of different partner organisations. For instance, on Tuesday you can get personalised advice if you are 16 years to 24 years or talk to the Prince’s Trust between 10 am and 12 noon. On Thursday, women can get advice from Smartworks or anyone can get help from Penshaw and Newcastle United Foundation.

Search on the category Jobs or on the organiser Skills Hub Newcastle

Sexual Health Training

Sexual Health Training is available to anyone who works in Newcastle from a youth, community, public service, including the Council and NHS. There are a range of courses including an essential two day training course. Options then include: C Card, Contraception and consent; sexual health and learning disability; self esteem in young men and boys. Dates and venue are not publicised, so contact the organisers.

Events & Activities

Flexible Homes at the Catalyst 9th to 20th May 2022.

How We Live Now Matrix Feminist Design Cooperative 6th May to 23 July 2022

Explore Printmaking, Walker

Northumberland Wildlife Trust events
Enchanged Cramlington 29 May
Wonderful Worms Family Activity 30 May

Coming soon

Patient Public Engagement forum by Newcastle Clinical Commissioning Group
Monday 13 June

Tyne Bridges Cyclone Cycling Festival
24th June onwards

New and updated organisations

Tiny Lives Trust

The Tiny Lives Trust supports families when their babies are premature or sick. They specifically support the RVI Neonatal Unit in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Millin Charity

The Millin Charity helps women set up their own businesses, gain employability skills, increase confidence, access training and be part of a supportive community of women working towards financial independence.

Gas Safety Register

The Gas Safe Register provides a single information point for people to find a registered, competent boiler engineer in their area, or to check that a company they are planning on using is registered. Includes a helpline, online search and register to remind you to get your appliances checked.

Inspire Youth Tyne & Wear

Inspire Youth Tyne & Wear is a charity, working across the city running groups, empowerment programmes and mentoring for juniors (5 to11 years), 11 to14 years, seniors (14 to 19 years) and girls groups (11 to 16 years). They also run school holiday hubs, disability and extra needs groups and support across the City five nights a week in West Denton, Newbiggin Hall, Lemington, Fawdon, Kenton and Hazelrigg.

Updated articles

Gas Safety

Gas Safety checks are essential to ensure you are not in danger from a leak or corroded pipes. It is worth getting a Gas Safe registered engineer to check your appliances regularly. If you can’t pay, Care & Repair Newcastle has a budget that may help.

Children’s Activities

Children’s Activities covers places and attractions for children and young people.. it includes local community centres and Families and Children Hubs/Autism support hubs.

Last updated: May 13, 2022

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