InfoNOW news 29 July 2019

InfoNOW news 29 July 2019

NEWS

Use InformationNOW to find your summer activities
Highway code update
Victoria and Albert: Our lives in watercolour
Keeping cool in hot weather

Research & Reports

GP patient survey
Arm in Arm

Opportunities for Action

Memory walk volunteers and walkers
Volunteer for Northumbria University research
The Big Bike Revival in Byker
Health is everyone’s business

Resources

Get online
Elderly Care: A Guide for Families New to Caring
Summer stem resources

New on InformationNOW this week

This week’s events & activities at a glance
Home Alone
TED X talks

Updated articles & organisations

Libraries – each library’s details has been updated
Fawdon Community Library
Action Foundation
Newcastle GP services


NEWS

Use InformationNOW to find your summer activities

The summer holidays are when everyone wants to find information on what’s on locally.  Information NOW’s events and activities section gives you information the whole year round.  Do check that all the events are on over the summer as there may be some changes during this period. There are different ways to search in this section.

  1. Use the events and activities box, and for example, type in “music” and a range of options will come up including the international recital series
  2. Select an option in the “type” box, for example gardening or sports and fitness and this will bring up all the opportunities for exercise beginning on the day of your search
  3. You can select a location or “ward”, for example West Fenham, and this will give you all the results for the area including Rabita Women and volunteering at Leazes park
  4. You can select a “day”, for example Monday and you will get a range of results including tai chi, flower arranging, health walk and tap dancing
  5. You can search by organiser or venue, for example Search and this will bring up a range of their activities including gentle exercise and singing for the brain or Eagles Foundation and this will bring up activities such as, Monday Movers and Table sports

We are always seeking to improve our range of events on the calendar so please let us know what is on by contacting us at Information NOW.


Highway code update

Rules related to lane closures changed on 25 July 2019.

Rule 258

Red flashing lights. If red lights flash on a signal and a red “X” is showing, you MUST NOT drive in the lane shown as closed beyond the signal. This applies until you pass another signal indicating that the lane is no longer closed, by displaying the word “End” or a speed limit sign and you are sure that it is safe to proceed.

Red flashing lights. If red lights flash on a signal in the central reservation or on the side of the road and lane closed sign is showing, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in any lane.

Law Road Traffic Act 1988 section 36

InformationNOW has an article on driving as you get older and motability: car scheme for disabled people.


Victoria and Albert: Our lives in watercolour

29 June – 14 September 2019

Featuring works being displayed for the first time, this exhibition showcases Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s cherished watercolour collection at the Laing Art Gallery. Revealing the royal couple’s private passion for documenting their public and private lives together.

This touring exhibition – featuring more than 60 works – marks the bicentenary of the births of both Victoria and Albert. Admission charges apply


Keeping cool in summer

During the summer the warm weather is enjoyable for most of us, but the heat can sometimes become very uncomfortable. For children, older people, or people with chronic health conditions, the hot weather can be dangerous and potentially fatal.

Read our article with tips for keeping cool.


Research & Reports

GP Patient Survey 2019 results published

The NHS survey of patients has shown that nine out of 10 patients have “confidence and trust” in their family doctor as well as other general practice staff such as nurses and pharmacists, according to new research published today. The results also highlight where improvements could be made, for example, people contacting practices by telephone and making appointments. However, the survey took place just after extended opening hours for practices had been introduced, so appointments should now be easier to book and more people should be aware of them.

From 2021, all patients will also have a new right to access their general practice through video consultations – watch this space.

InformationNOW has articles on GPs and chemists.


Arm in Arm

This report was commissioned by the Association of Mental Health Providers and shows that commissioners in both local government and the NHS are keenly aware of the extra value that voluntary and community organisations can bring.  Voluntary sector struggle with the monitoring requirements and data collection.

InformationNOW has articles on mental health and 24 hour mental health as well as information on ReCoCo Recovery college and Northumberland Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust, providers of mental health services.


Opportunities to get involved

Will you be a very important volunteer at Memory Walk?

Memory Walk is back and bigger than ever. This autumn, over 100,000 people will be coming together to unite against dementia. Will you join the Alzheimer’s Society and lend a helping hand?

Not one of our walks could happen without the amazing volunteers – and this year, they’d love you to join them. Roles will be varied, but may include cheering on walkers, helping marshal  routes or handing out medals at the finishing line.

Spread the word far and wide – take part on 5th of October, Bents Exhibition Park in South Shields.

Sign up today or on 0300 330 5452


Volunteer for Northumbria University Research

Are you a healthy adult aged 46 to 65 and work, study, volunteer or care for a child/relative (or a combination) for a minimum of 10 hours per week?  We are looking for participants to take part in a 29-day intervention study of the cognitive, mood and stress-reducing effects of a wild green oat extract.

The study will require you to go to the Brain Performance and Nutrition Research Centre (BPNRC) at Northumbria University 3 times and then to follow through with taking the wild green oat extract at home over a period of time.

To compensate for your time and travel you will receive £130 for taking part in this study.  This study has received ethical approval from the Psychology Staff Ethics Committee (Project Ref. 10084).  Please email Jo Forster if you are interested.


The Big Bike Revival in Byker on the 29th July

Recyke y’bike will be out and about on the Byker Estate next week bringing broken bikes back to life. Newcastle YMCA will also be out with their bike skills track so you can practice ramps, seesaws and jumps! For details of exactly where to find us visit their website

For more on cycling go to our events page.


Health is everyone’s business

This is a public consultation seeking views on different ways in which government and employers can take action to reduce ill health-related job loss.

They will be looking at four main areas:
1. Amending the legal framework to encourage early action to support individuals when they are absent from work and to facilitate more conversations to agree effective workplace modifications

2. Reforming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), so that it is better enforced, more flexible, and support sthe lowest paid employees;

3. Measures to improve availability of high-quality, cost-effective occupational health (OH) services for employers

4. Improving advice and support from government for employers to understand and act on their responsibilities

You can help shape future plans in this exciting area by accessing the consultation until 7th October 2019.

Want to find out more? Please join officials from the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care, in an interactive discussion on the consultation on: 15th August 2019, at 9:00am – 11.00am, at Sunderland JCP, Wear View House, Eden Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EY

Please use this link to book your place.

InformationNOW has a section on work and retirement.

 


Get online

There are lots of computer courses across Newcastle.  Look at our events and activities and select computer.Computer courses can help you:


Resources

Elderly Care: A Guide for Families New to Caring

If you’re newly responsible for finding elderly care for a family member or friend, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Super Carers has produced a useful introductory guide which aims to provide an overview of elderly care, from what’s available to the more practical financial and legal issues.

In Newcastle we have a range of options including:


Summer STEM resources

Whether you need something to keep kids occupied during the holidays or want to improve your children’s questioning and reasoning skills, take a look at the curated collection of STEM resources They have something for primary and secondary level students to get stuck into.

For rainy days, try some kitchen science with their resources Cheesy challenge or Make your own fizzy drink. When the weather is good, get outside and try Bumblebee mystery or Plant growth and nutrients.


New on InformationNOW this week

Singing for Wellbeing
Proud voices
Legal Surgery
Exercise for Chinese Elders


Home Alone   “I never thought I’d be old and lonely”

Grainger Market Newcastle, Alley 3 Unit 106/107

For eight months Sharon Bailey visited 15 older people who live by themselves, stuck in their homes for long periods of time. Travelling across Newcastle, Gateshead and East Durham she photographed and recorded conversations with them, spending hours talking and listening. Go along and find out more:

  • Saturday 3rd August
  • Monday 5th August
  • Tuesday 6th August 2019

Open daily from 10am to 4.30pm
Performances 2pm to 2.30pm and 3.30pm to 4pm
Meet the artist Monday 5 August 4.30pm to 5.30pm
email Sharon


TED X Newcastle Saturday 5th October 2019, The Sage

TED talks are coming to the Sage.  Speakers have now been announced. You can register for updates and find out when to book tickets here.


Articles Updated

Libraries – each library’s details has been updated

Organisations Updated

Fawdon Community Library
Action Foundation
Newcastle GP services

Last updated: April 23, 2020