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22 September 2025 InfoNOW news
23 September 2025
InfoNOW News 14 July
InfoNOW
ESOL : English lessons for people who speak English as a second or other language
Help to use health services for refugees and asylum seekers
Help with shopping and prescriptions
P.S. Want to add your events and activities to InformationNOW? Use our events form here
Denton and Westerhope Annual Ward Meeting
17 July 2025, 6pm to 7.30pm, West Denton Social Club, Denton Park Centre, West Denton Way,
Councillors have organised an informal drop-in event where you can talk directly to local Councillors, Council Officers, Police Officers, and local Community Group Leaders about Community Safety, Community Space, Community Action.
The current community priorities for Denton and Westerhope are:
- Environment / Green Spaces
- Cost of Living
- Housing / Regeneration
- Community Resilience
- Children and Young People
- Health and Wellbeing
Officers from the following council services and our partners will be available for residents to speak to:
- Local Councillors
- Northumbria Police Neighbourhood team
- Parking Team
- Public Safety and Regulation
- Northumberland Street Development
- Communities Team
- Housing Services
- Horticultural Team
- EPIC
- Traffic Management
- Outer West Leisure Centre
- Estate Management
- City Operations
Welcome to Newcastle event
19 August 2025, 12pm to 3pm at NUCASTLE , Diana Street, NE1 6BQ,
Are you new to Newcastle? Seeking sanctuary or a newly recognised refugee? Come along to the Welcome to Newcastle event to meet local organisations who are here to help you. The event will include:
- Housing Advice
- Healthcare information—health checks
- Free SIM cards and Library registration
- Employment/volunteering advice
- Help with accessing food or clothing
- Information on local services and activities
- Organisations for people seeking asylum and refugees
- Advice on school admissions
- Children’s activities/arts and crafts
- Benefit advice
- Advice on finding English classes
- Northumbria Police/Fire Service
There are also drop in days to speak to the Migration, Refugee and Asylum team
18 July 10am to 12pm
Byker Sands
Byker Sands
30th July, 10am to 12pm
Galafield Family Hub
1st August, 11am to 1pm
One Strawberry Lane
You can access our ‘New to Newcastle’ flyers which include scannable QR codes to our refugee and asylum and ESOL information in English, Arabic, Farsi, Sorani, Ukrainian, Urdu on our website here: Free InformationNOW resources
You can also access our ‘InfoNOW in your language’ postcards which include what to find on InformationNOW an dhow to use our accessibility and translation software in Arabic, Farsi, French, Polish, Sorani, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu on our website here: Free InformationNOW resources
Read more on InformationNOW about How you can help refugees and asylum seekers
Healthwatch England to close
Government Plans to Close Healthwatch England:
The UK government’s announced the decision to change the law to close Healthwatch England. This would:
- transfer the responsibilities of local Healthwatch (such as Healthwatch Newcastle) to regional NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local authorities.
- transfer the responsibilities of Healthwatch England to the Department of Health and Social Care
The full implications of the government’s proposals and the time line to transfer the responsibilities of Healthwatch is not currently known, The government will need to pass legislation for this to take effect. Until this takes effect Healthwatch will continue to support people to have their say about health and social care services.
You can read Health Newcastle’s statement on their website here
Read more on InformationNOW about having your say about health and care services
Newcastle Pride festival
19 to 20 July 2025, multiple venues across Newcastle,
Northern Pride‘s Newcastle Pride festival returns for 2025 with 2 days of festival, family and creative events.
The Pride March will begin the festival at 12pm on 19 July 2025, starting from the Civic centre, those taking part will pass through the city and the historic Grey’s Monument, which is also playing host to this year’s Market Village. The March will continue through the city before ending back at the civic centre
The Pride Arena includes the festival main stage with Pride festivals biggest acts, street food and bar spaces, and a dance and cabaret stage. Tickets start from £7.50 to £40 for the Pride Arena and can be booked online at the Northern Pride website here
There is also the free festival city wide takeover. This includes:
- Curious Arts stage at Northern Stage – Curious Arts will be showcasing a range of queer art and culture
- Family and youth zone at Theatre Royal – provides a space for LGBTQIA+ families and young people of all ages
- Market village and platform stage at Grainger street and Grey street. – The market village stalls are filled with community groups, charities, amazing makers and creators while the Platform Stage is the perfect place to discover new acts, performers and the queer stars of the future.
- Trans+ Zone at Alphabetti Theatre – By day, a space to take part in hands on activities, speak to trans specific support agencies and charities. In the evening meet friends and make new ones as you watch the Trans+ cabaret take to the Alphabetti stage
- Screen on the green at Old Eldon Square – Screen on the Green showing the best queer stories from the world of cinema.
Newcastle Pride comes to a close on 20 July from 9pm with the candlelit vigil giving those in attendance time for reflection and remembrance.
Read more about the Pride Festival lineup and events on their website here
Read more about LGBTQIA+ support and groups in Newcastle
SEND Support hub event
8 August 2025, 11am to 2pm, Banqueting hall, Newcastle Civic centre
Come along to a free event to find out more about actvities and services available for children and young people with additional needs and/or disabilities. Chat with providers to find out what they can offer.
There will alos be fun activity taster sessions will also be available
Arrive anytime. No need to book.
Register your interest online here
For any queries please contact [email protected]
Sexual Health drop in at Galafield familyhub
4pm – 5:30pm, Third Wednesday of each month, Galafield Hub, Newbiggin Lane, NE5 1LZ
Children North East are offering free, impartial advice to young people aged 13 – 25 who want advice and support with sexual health, relationships, or just need someone to talk to.
The drop in sessions will be held at Galafield Family Hub every third Wednesday of the month
Newcastle’s Best Summer Holiday Ever programme
July 18 to August 31 2025, multiple venues across Newcastle,
Newcastle’s Best Holiday Ever is just around the corner for families, with a huge range of summer holiday activities and clubs available during the 6 week school holidays period.
Over 100 projects and events are taking place as part of the Best Holiday Ever programme for children eligible for free school meals this summer. With indoor and outdoor games, cookery skills, arts and crafts, sports, fitness and dance, health and wellbeing, quizzes, park activities, nature trails and more.
If you are a parent can visit our partner website Newcastle Support Directory to find out more about the 2025 Best Holiday Ever programme. You can search for Best holiday ever activities by
Newcastle Neighbourhood areas:
Age group
Read more about Newcastle’s Best Holiday Ever on Information Now
Summer take home family cooking
11am to 1pm, Thursdays, Pottery Bank Community Centre
Pottery Bank Community centre offers weekly cooking bags for parents or carers to cook at home.
Parents or carers in need can collect a cooking bag of ingredients and the finish at hoe recipe. The bags help people to cook a healthy family meal at home and spend quality meal time together.
The bags are first come first served with priority given to people living in the NE6 postcode area.
Read more about cheap food and free meals on InformationNOW
SPOTLIGHT ON
Food Newcastle
Food Newcastle support local organisations to address climate change, while tackling food insecurity, enhancing food access, promoting healthy eating habits, and incentivising sustainable solutions.
They’ve recently relaunched their website and are asking Newcastle residents to Join Food Newcastle in pledging to make some simple, yet powerful changes to how we eat, shop, and think about food. These could be:
- Try Meat-free Days – Go meat-free for one day a week. It’s good for your health and our planet! Experiment with plant-based recipes and discover new favourites.
- Shop Independent – Choose to buy from independent or locally owned shop at least once a month. You’ll support our local economy!
- Cut Your Food Waste –Aim to cut your household food waste. Start by pre-planning your meals and improving food storage to keep it fresh longer. Separate your food waste from other household rubbish and if you can start composting.
- Volunteer for Causes – Give some of your free time to local food banks, community gardens, or educational programs. Your help can make a big difference!
- Help Spread the Word – Find out about the impact of food choices on our health and environment. Share what you know with family and friends or join a local food education workshop.
- Advocate for Policies – Stay informed and voice your support for local policies that improve food access and sustainability.
Read more about Food on InformationNOW
Free cat microchipping and health checks
24 July 2025, Lemington centre, NE15 8RZ
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Newcastle and North Northumberland are offering cat owners a free chance to get your cat microchipped. They will also do a basic health check of your cat, at the Lemington centre.
There no need to book, just pop along with your cat to the Lemington centre side entrance.
Read more about Pets and animals on informationNOW
OPPORTUNITIES
Wellbeing and Environment Event
12 August 2025, 10am to1pm, One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle, NE1 4BX
Christine Wright from Royal Horticultural Society and Suzanne Amey from the Herb Hub will be leading an all age learning session with practical activities around the themes of Wellbeing and Biodiversity. This event is for VCSE organisations but as it is in the school holidays, anyone attending who also has childcare responsibilities that day can also book a place for their children/young people.
Activities will be interactive, with a focus on all-age learning.
Find out more and book your place here
Action Tutoring Information Session
6 August 2025., 4:30pm to 5pm, Online
Action Tutoring are looking for volunteers to support pupils from low-income backgrounds in English or Maths to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future, as well as developing your own skills.
Join this free information session for a presentation about why Action Tutoring exists and what volunteering with them entails. You’ll also have the opportunity to talk with one of their friendly staff members and ask any questions you may have.
Read more and book a space on InformationNOW
Your Voice Counts – Board of directors opportunity
Local charity Your Voice Counts is seeking a leader to join its Board of Directors as Co-Chair to work alongside another Co-Chair who has lived experience of the services the charity offers. This is a shared leadership model presenting an exciting opportunity for an individual who shares inclusion, empowerment and co-production values. Half of the positions on the Your Voice Counts Board are reserved for people with lived experience of health and social care services and the organisation.
While Board or Chair experience is welcome, it is not essential. What matters most is a passion for inclusion, a willingness to learn and the ability to help guide a forward-thinking and values-driven organisation.
You can read more about this opportunity on Your Voice Counts website here
For more information or to express an interest in this role please email [email protected]
Voice for Change forum
11 August 2025, 2pm to 4pm, Disability North, The Dene Centre, Castles Farm Road, NE3 1PH
Disability North is launching something new – a community-led forum where people with lived experience can come together, share what matters most, and start conversations that lead to real change. They are looking to invite disabled people, people with lived experience, parents, carers, and inclusion advocates to join them for an introductory session to shape what this forum should look like.
Read more and book a space on informationNOW
Talking About Dementia: Actions, Assumptions, and Advocacy – A Workshop
18 July, 1 pm to 3.30pm, The Lindisfarne Centre, St Aidan’s College, Durham University, DH1 3LJ
This workshop focuses on the importance of sensitive conversations in dementia care—from diagnosis through to bereavement. It aims to explore how these conversations can be improved to better support families and professionals.
It’s aimed at a range of people, but people who have cared for (and possibly lost) someone diagnosed with dementia, whether in a personal or professional capacity, are particularly welcome. There will be a buffet lunch included.
This event is organised by Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing at Durham University their flagship research institute, which explores health and wellbeing issues.
If you would like to attend, please contact Wolfson manager Suzi Boyd [email protected]
NECA High streets round table
17 July, 2pm, One Strawberry Lane, NE1 4BX
Join VONNE, the North East Combined Authority and partners to discuss development approaches and the role of the voluntary sector in reimagining and revitalising high streets.
Everyone is welcome to attend, but they particularly welcome discussions with:
- Social Entrepreneurs
- Existing Socially Trading Organisations (STOs)
- Infrastructure Organisations
- New and early stage STOs
The roundtables aim to build on previous learning and explore the role of community businesses and socially trading organisations in revitalising high streets.
Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended. Choose one or more roundtables that reflect your area of interest — or attend them all.
Book a space at this event on VONNE’s website here
CONSULTATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
Stop Smoking service consultation
Deadline 2 September 2025
The Public Health team at Newcastle City Council are currently reviewing Stop Smoking services for Newcastle. and would like to hear your views and experiences.
If you need this information in another format, such as large print, or you have questions about this, please contact: [email protected] or call; 0191 278 7878
You can complete the survey on Let’s Talk Newcastle here: https://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/553/participate
Parental Leave and Pay Review
Deadline
On 1 July 2025, the Government announced it is conducting a full review of parental leave and pay. The review will look at maternity and paternity leave, shared parental leave, adoption leave and parental leave and others.
The Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Work and Pensions launched a review of the parental leave and pay system in Great Britain, as part of the plan to Make Work Pay.
It will consider how the parental leave and pay system could be improved to better support working families and meet the needs of the modern economy.
They are calling for evidence to inform the parental leave and pay review.
They welcome responses from parents as well as different institutions and bodies, including advocacy groups, academics, businesses and business representative groups, trade unions,
You can read the call for evidence document on GOV.UK here
Then submit your responses online here.
You can also Email [email protected] if you aren’t able to submit your response online or you have any queries.
Read more on InformationNOW about Benefits for maternity, paternity, adoption and other parental pay
North East Anti-Racism Coalition Survey
Deadline Friday 18 July.
The North East Anti-Racism Coalition (NEARC), in partnership with Newcastle University, wants to build a clearer understanding of how racism and religious hate affect people’s lives across our region. They want to hear from peoples experiences and for you to share your views.
By sharing your experiences and views, you’ll help gather vital evidence so their work is rooted in the real, current realities people face. NEARC welcome responses from individuals and organisations.
You can complete their short 10 minute survey online here.
The survey closes on Friday 18 July
Read more on informationNOW about Racial Discrimination
NHS dentistry contract: quality and payment reforms
The Department of Health and Social care is looking at changes to improve the current NHS dental contracts, this is called the NHS dentistry contract: quality and payment reforms
The dentistry contract proposals aim to
- create 700,000 more urgent dental care appointments every year,
- better support patients with complex treatment needs
- encourage the delivery of more preventative care.
This consultation is looking for views and evidence from:
- health and social care professionals
- academics
- employers
- stakeholder organisations
- the public
You must be over the age of 16 to take part in this consultation.
You can read more about the dentistry proposals on GOV.UK here
You can complete the dentistry reform proposals survey online here at GOV.UK
RESEARCH AND RESOURCES
NHS England 10 year health plan
The 10 Year Health Plan is part of the national government’s health mission to build a health service fit for the future. It sets out how the government will reinvent the NHS through 3 radical shifts:
- hospital to community
- analogue to digital
- sickness to prevention
You can read the full report here: Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England
You can read an executive summary of the plan here: Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England – executive summary
Read more about the 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future on GOV.UK
Health watch report on GP’s – The “choice gap”
Primary care delivers 90% of the interactions between the NHS and the public. This Healthwatch report looks at what choices do patients want when they book GP appointments? And are they getting these choices?
30% of people are always given a choice of booking method for appointments
68% of respondents say they want a choice about when an appointment takes place
48% of those who got a choice of a named healthcare professional had to ask for the choice
47% of those who requested a longer appointment had to ask for the choice
The “choice gap”: do patients get the choices they want from GP care? | Healthwatch
Read more on InformationNOW about How to use your GP surgery well
Home Instead small grants
Home Instead provide small grants to projects supporting adults aged 55 or over through activities and projects that support wellbeing or reduce social isolation and/or loneliness
The grants offer small grass roots organisations and small local charities between £500 and £1500 to support projects.
What they can fund:
- Regular weekly or monthly events and activities such as weekly cinema club, weekly knit and natter or Thursday lunch club
- One off activities such as a day trip or a Christmas lunch
- Activities such as yoga or a guest speaker for your group such as a local historian
The grant funding is open to apply to 4 times per year: January; April; July and October. Grants are awarded the following month: February, May, August and November.
You can read more about elgibility and how to apply on Home Instead’s website here
Read more about Events and activities for people aged 55 or over on InformationNOW
UPCOMING EVENTS
Rainbow Care Twilight Tea
28 July 2025, 6pm to 7.30pm, Leazes Park, Richardson Rd, NE2 4BJ
Twilight Tea is a relaxed, social event for people living with dementia and their carers.
It’s a chance to enjoy light snacks, tea/coffee, cake, and conversation in a warm, welcoming space.
Read more about Rainbow Care Twilight Tea on Information Now
Masala festival: MINI mela
14 to 20 July, various venues in Newcastle and Gateshead
GemArts award winning Masala Festival is a mix and blend of South Asian Arts and Culture, presented over one week across Newcastle and Gateshead. This year the festival runs from 14 to 20 of July
Free event highlights include:
Paradise screening on 16 July 2025
Threads of Remembrance workshop on 18 July 2025
Bollywood Brass Band on 19 July 2025
You can see the full programme of events on GemArts Website here
Read more on InformationNOW about GemArts
Tastes and tales
15, 22 and 25 July 2025, Carnegie Building, Atkinson Road, NE4 8XS
Tastes and tales is a community food sharing event from JET (Jobs Employment and Training). The events are a chance to make new friends while trying food from different cultures. During the 2 events on 15 and 22 July you will work with other, talk plan and get ready for a final event sharing food recipes and stories!
Read more about tastes and tales on Information Now
Football Memories at St Martins
29 July 2025, St Martin’s Centre, Roman Avenue, Byker,NE6 2RJ
Do you love football? Have sporting memories you’d like to revisit? Enjoy reminiscing about your favourite players?
Join this free 3-week summer course (for adults) in partnership with Newcastle City Learning at St Martins centre where you will make a piece of art based on your favourite football team
Read more about Football Memories on InformationNOW
Pop Music on the Organ at Newcastle cathedral
25 July 2025, 1pm to 2pm, Newcastle Cathedral, St Nicholas Square, NE1 1PF
Looking for something a little different to do this August bank holiday? Stop by Newcastle Cathedral for a lunchtime organ recital with a difference!
Matt Walters – aka Reductio – will be shaking things up genre-bending organ remixes of classic pop and dance songs by acts including ABBA, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Kate Bush and more!
Elswick Pool community celebration day
19 July 2025, 10am to 3pm, Elswick community pool and gym,
Elswick community pool and gym are holding a family celebration day to celebrate their reopening. There will be swimming, games, music, face painting, dance & more
Read more about Elswick Pool community celebration day on Information Now
NEW AND UPDATED ON INFONOW
Hope Support Services
New organisation
providing support for children and young people aged 5-25 years old who have a loved one with a serious illness, such as cancer. They offer free, online, confidential 1:1 support sessions and peer-support groups. The support is available from the moment of receiving the diagnosis for however long it’s needed.
Read more about Hope Support Services on Information Now
Perfect Solution Foundation
updated organisation
Perfect solution foundation provide educational support, advice, social welfare support for children and young people, particularly disadvantaged children, and children from black and ethnically minoritised communities.
Read more about Perfect Solution Foundation on InformationNOW
North East Anti Racism Coalition
new organisation
The North East Anti-Racism Coalition (NEARC) is a network of North East people and organisations that work together to make the North East a place where diversity is celebrated and racism, religious hatred, and all forms of discrimination are challenged.
Read more about The North East Anti-Racism Coalition (NEARC)
Dentists
updated article
This article provides information on NHS dentistry, what to expect at your check-up, and a list of dentists in Newcastle in the useful organisations tab..
Transport in Newcastle
new article
Whether you’re walking, riding a bike, driving a car, or using public transport, Newcastle offers lots of ways for you get around safely and easily. There are safe bike lanes, places to park your car, and paths for walking and scooting. Newcastle is also working hard to make travel better for the planet by using more green and sustainable transport options.
Read more about Transport in Newcastle
Last updated: July 15, 2025
