InfoNOW News 6 January 2025

InformationNOW

2024 was a busy year for the informationNOW team with 976,133 visits to www.informationnow.org.uk. We look forward to helping people find the right information at the right time in 2025.

Watch our short 2024 InformationNOW highlights video for a full over view of what information people have found useful last year. Our most popular pages, most used languages and much more! Most visited pages in 2024 include:

• Hobbies
• Looking after someone
• Accessible and public toilets
• Free meals and cheap food
• Support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees
• Food banks and free emergency food
• When someone dies: a practical guide
• ESOL : English lessons for people who speak English as a second or other language

If you are an organisation, have you checked your InfoNOW listing to see if its up to date for the new year?

Would you like to work with us more in 2025? Read more about working with and supporting InformationNOW

Want to add your events and activities to InformationNOW? Use our quick and easy events form here

Amber weather Alert

An Amber Cold Health alert has been issued for the North East by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), starting from 12pm on Monday, January 6 and running until 12pm on Sunday, January 12 2025.

The UKHSA provide guidance on actions that can be taken for a range of professional groups supporting others during an Amber alert:

Cold-Health Alert summary action card for voluntary and community sector

Cold-Health Alert summary action card for providers: care homes

Cold-Health Alert Summary action card: people in their homes

Newcastle City Council’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated. SWEP includes an offer of a safe place to stay for people sleeping rough and is an extension of Newcastle’s year-round routine response. SWEP is how rough sleepers can be protected when the temperature is forecast to be particularly extreme.

GOV.UK also has useful guides on how stay safe and warm in cold weather that can be shared:

An easy read guide to keeping safe and well in cold weather

A British sign language (BSL) video on keeping safe and well in cold weather

Read more on InformationNOW about Keeping warm and well in Winter

Metro POP card scams

Nexus and Northumbria Police have been made aware of a Facebook page ‘Public Transport Newcastle’ that is falsely claiming to sell Pop Pay As You Go (PAYG) cards. People should be advised that this links to a fraudulent/scam website and should not engage with it. This is not connected in any way or endorsed by Tyne and Wear Metro or Nexus.

For any information or queries about the Tyne and Wear Metro and ticket fares people should visit nexus.org.uk

Read more on InformationNOW about travel and transport

Community Swap Shop 

26 January, 9am to 12pm, Galafield Family Hub, Newbiggin Lane, NE5 1LZ.

Join a Community Swap Shop where you can trade items you no longer need—clothes, books, toys, electrical items—and swap them for pre-loved finds from your neighbours. It’s a fun and eco-friendly way to refresh your belongings and reduce waste.

No need to book to attend but if you have lots of items to bring then please register for a table via this link. You can also enjoy refreshments and entertainment for all ages while connecting with your community.

If you are unable to attend the swap shop and  have items at home that you no longer want or need (toys, clothes, electrical items) please consider donating them.

You can donate items at Condercum Road Depot Admin Office, NE4 8XN on 14 January 2025 and The Civic Centre reception, NE1 8QH on 16 January 2025

Read more on InformationNOW about reusing items

Newcastle City Learning Drop ins

Read more about Lifelong Learning on InformationNOW

Jean Cartman Wilder Communities Award

Northumberland Wildlife Trust has launched the brand-new Jean Cartman Wilder Communities Award!

This annual award supports and champions the work of local groups that connect people with nature and wildlife. This could be activities enjoying the outdoors, Art projects related to nature and climate change or improving, creating or advocating for wildlife areas.

It is open to all groups in Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside and the winning group will win a £500 wish list of items to support their activities, and two runners-up will win a £250 wish list of items.

All winners will also receive:

• ongoing support from Northumberland Wildlife Trust with their work
• the opportunity to be promoted and championed through our media channels
• a certificate
• and a celebratory roundel

Visit www.nwt.org.uk/Jean-Cartman to find out more.

You can apply using the online application form here 

If you have questions or need support with your application you can call 0191 284 6884 or email [email protected]   

Deadline for applications is 5pm, 31 January 2025. Winners to be announced on 28 February 2025.

Read more about Parks, gardens, forests and woodlands

SPOTLIGHT ON

Green Street Wednesday Workshops

15, 29 January and 5 February,  Cobalt Coworking, 10-16 Boyd Street, Shieldfield, NE2 1AP

Green Street are holding a series of free workshops during Wednesdays in the New Year, designed to help local independent businesses reduce waste, improve sustainability, and save costs.

15 January 2025, 9am to 10:30 am – Flip the Switch on Energy Waste

Register here

29 January 2025, 9am – 10am Trash Talk: How to Keep Your Money Out of the Bin

Register here

5 February 2025, 9am to 10:30 am – Food Waste: Avoid it, Embrace Compost, and Comply
Register here 

Read more on InformationNOW about Recycle and reuse

Fawdon Kinship carer coffee morning

There are new 2025 dates for a Kinship Carer Coffee Morning and Support Group at Fawdon Childrens Centre starting from 8 January 2025.

Kinship carers can come along for a friendly chat, enjoy free refreshments, meet other Kinship carers, develop peer support networks and seek support and advice from a kinship resource worker and social worker.

Read more about Family, friend and kinship carers on Information NOW

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

Cervical screening intervention design-workshop

10 February 2025, 10am to 4pm

Healthworks are running a hands-on co-design workshop focused on designing interventions to improve cervical screening rates within socioeconomically deprived women living within North East England

This workshop is aimed at healthcare professionals, people working in the voluntary and community sector, and anyone passionate about women’s health. The workshop is being ran as part of an ongoing research project conducted at Northumbria University. Lunch will be provided.

Read more and book a place on InformationNOW 

North East Autism Society (NEAS) paid work placements

The North East Autism Society (NEAS) have a number of paid work placements and they are looking for host employers to support this. The key details of this offer are as follows:

• NEAS will be the employer for these placements and will deal with all paperwork involved.
• The business agreeing to the placement will be the host.
• All placements will be paid the Real Living Wage of £12.60 per hour. This will be paid by NEAS.
• Placement hours will be worked over a 6-week period up to a maximum of 14 hours per week.
• Exact hours will be discussed and agreed with the host prior to start date.
• Ideally placements would commence from 2^nd week in the new year, and need to be completed before the end of March.
• NEAS will introduce any potential participant to the host to make sure everyone is happy and it is a good fit prior to the start date.
• NEAS will make sure the participant has support needed in the workplace during the placement.

This is a fantastic opportunity to benefit Newcastle residents facing barriers to employment by providing meaningful paid work experience. Candidates will be chosen as much as possible to match your business need, and it’s an ideal opportunity to increase your social impact whilst bringing new skills and talent to your workplace.

If any of you are interested in benefiting from this offer, or have any questions, please contact Jude Smith, Employer Engagement Officer at NEAS on [email protected], or ring her on 07767606980.

Read more about Autism and local support services on InformationNOW

Asylum Seeker Mental Health and Wellbeing Therapeutic Support grant

The UK government is offering funding for projects that support the mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable asylum-seeking adults. As they wait for decisions on their applications and move through the asylum process, the grant will support projects that:

• Help better mental health and wellbeing
• Make access to regular mental health services easier
• Improve access to useful information and resources
• Build stronger connections with local communities
• Increase feelings of safety
• Help asylum seekers to engage with their asylum applications

A wide variety of groups are encouraged to apply, including Voluntary, Community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, non-profits,  , religious groups, and more.

You can read more about the Asylum Seeker Mental Health and Wellbeing Therapeutic Support grant on GOV-UK here 

Applications for this grant must be submitted by 11:59 pm on 10 January 2025, and the funding will cover a 12-month period starting in April 2025.

Read more on InformationNOW about How you can help refugees and asylum seekers

CONSULTATIONS & ENGAGEMENT

NHS 10 year plan discussion group

NHS England have launched Change NHS.uk to hear your views, experiences, and ideas which will shape a new 10 Year Health Plan for England. This will run until spring 2025.

Find out more about NHS England’s  new 10-Year Health Plan here

The plan will set out how we create a truly modern health service designed to meet the changing needs of our changing population.3 key areas or ‘ 3 shifts’ have been identified:

• moving care from hospitals to communities
• making better use of technology
• focussing on preventing sickness, not just treating it

Read  more about the three shifts here

Healthwatch Newcastle are hosting a public discussion group at One Strawberry Lane at 1pm on 17 January 2025 where you can take part in the biggest public conversation about the future of the NHS, and have your say.

This is a free event and anyone can attend to share their views.

If you would like to have your say, you can book a free place on InformationNOW

Read more on InformationNOW about Having your say about health and care services

Reablement Service budget proposals

North East Combined Authority draft budget consultation

A public consultation on the proposals is open until 10 January 2025. If you have any comments or questions about the proposals you can email  [email protected], fill in their online contact form or call on 0191 211 5695 (9.30am and 4.30pm Monday – Friday).

Any questions or comments will be anonymised to protect your privacy,  published and where possible answered, The NEMCA will also inform both Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny of your views, ahead of Cabinet setting the 2025 budgets.

You can read the Report to Cabinet here.

You can read our Corporate Plan here.

You can read about the budget proposals for each of the budgets in the Cabinet papers here.

These proposals will now be scrutinised by the North East Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee before going back to Cabinet to be finalised before the new financial year begins on 1 April 2025.

Read more about the North East Combined Authority draft budget proposals for 2025/26 on their website here

• Understand what the health needs are for people living in Newcastle
• The level and accessibility of services in Newcastle
• How services can be maintained and developed in the future to make sure they meet people’s needs

You can share your views in the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment Public Survey 2025-28  here

Read more about Pharmacy (or Chemists)

RESEARCH & REPORTS

Home care dementia study

Homecare providers can take part in a study by Teesside University  to explore the experiences of homecare managers who support homecare workers in providing person-centred care to people living with dementia.

Participants feedback and shared experiences will be used to design an intervention to meet the needs of those working in homecare. This study aims to improve the experiences of clients, carers, and homecare managers.

Online interviews will cover broad areas such as organisational factors including training, pay and benefits, emotional distress and support, and social support.

If you are work for or are a homecare provider, and would like to take part you can sign up using the Homecare Manager Interview Contact Form here.

You can also contact the research project lead [email protected] 

Read more about Dementia on InformationNOW

You can read the overview of Literacy, Numeracy, and Homelessness: What Do We Know? here

You can read the full report here 

Read more about Homeless or worried about becoming homeless

TRAINING & RESOURCES

Adult Safe 4 Life Course

Safe for Life Course Beginning February 12th 2025 every Wednesday 12.30pm-2.30pm at West End Women and Girls Centre, crèche spaces are available for children. A referral can be made for anyone who identifies as a woman who has experienced Domestic Abuse. This 10 week course covers:

• Understanding the dynamics of domestic abuse and the 5 different types.
• How we effectively keep ourselves and families safe
• The effect of domestic abuse on children
• Trauma responses
• Coercive control
• Why domestic abuse still happens, sexism and gender inequality
• The negative and positive cycle of self-esteem
• Owning our emotions
• Healthy relationships

Contact West End Women and Girls Centre for more information

Read more about Domestic abuse on InformationNOW

Free SPEAK – Suicide Prevention Explore, Ask, Keep-Safe. An introduction to suicide prevention skills

Papyrus has fully funded Suicide Prevention training available in February 2025 for those based in Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding areas. The training will cover how to:

• consider the attitudes, myths, and stigma that surround suicide
• recognise and explore the ‘signs’ that may indicate someone is having thoughts of suicide
• encourage an open, safe and sensitive conversation about suicide with a person having thoughts of suicide
• support a safety plan with someone thinking of suicide.

See the dates and book your place here 

Read more on InformationNOW about Suicide prevention

Lightning Reach

Lightining Reach is a free online portal that connects you to lots of options for support, quickly and securely. It can conect you to

• Charitable grants
• Local authority schemes
• help with bills
• benefits checks
• other support

You create an account, get matched to support in your area and can apply online using the Lightning Reach portal.

You can create a Lightning Reach portal here

If you are an organisation that would like to be registered to give support on Lightning Reach, you can find out more here

Read more on InformationNOW about Cost of living support

Newcastle City Council Procurement Portal

Newcastle City Council moved to the Open e-tendering platform on 28th October last year.  All Suppliers wishing to bid for public sector opportunities issued by Newcastle City Council will be required to register on the Open platform. Open is free to register an account and use.

Register here  For support, contact [email protected]

Community Foundation grants for organisations and individuals

Community Foundation have a variety of grants available to apply for. You can use their online grant finder to see the grants that are available at the moment. To submit an application for a community foundation grant you need to be registered on their grantee portal.

Read more about Community Foundation

UPCOMING EVENTS

Steps and Stories – Newburn Library

Take an easy hour-long walk by the River Tyne starting at Newburn library. You can enjoy nature and listen to an audiobook, with support and device availab le from the Reading for wellbeing team. At the end, you can chat about the book you listened to and share your thoughts.

Read more and book a free space at Steps and Stories on Information Now

Northumbria Police drop in at Jesmond Library

10 January, 7 February, 7 March and 4 April 2025, 10:30am to 11:30 am, Jesmond library,NE2 2DL

The Northumbria Police Neighbourhood Policing Team which covers Jesmond and neighbouring areas is collecting children’s books to donate to families who do not have books in the home

Members of the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be dropping into Jesmond library once a month, on a Friday morning, to collect donated childrens books and to answer any queries from Jesmond residents who drop in at the same time.

Read more about this event on InformationNOW

Walking basketball

9 January 2025, Sports@Gosforth, Great North Road, NE3 2JH

The Walking Basketball Newcastle group for people over the age of 35. They meet weekly, on Thursday evenings in Gosforth. The sessions are designed for all levels of fitness and abilities. You don’t have to run to ball. The sessions are suitable for people of all levels of fitness and experience. You don’t need to have played basketball before to take part.

The sessions are ran by a level 2 basketball coach and qualified personal trainer. Sessions cost £6, or £20 per month. For more information and to book a place contact the coach using the details below.

Read more about Fitness Activities

Lunch Club at St Martin’s Centre

A light lunch for people over the age of 55. People can come along and join in activities such as a quiz or bingo for £3.50. Every Wednesday

Lunch Club at St Martin’s Centre on Information Now

UPDATED & NEW ORGANISATIONS

Action Foundation

Action Foundation support refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants to integrate into the community and lead more independent and resilient lives. They offer a range of support such as:

Young Lives: specialised practical, emotional and social support for asylum seeking and refugee children, families and young people. Email: [email protected] or call 07845 642246.

Read more on InformationNOW about Support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

The Wardrobe

The Wardrobe is a clothing resource for trans, non-binary and genderqueer people. They collect quality second-hand clothes and provide a safe space to try them on. Previously based at The Newbridge Project, they have moved to Orbis Community 9 West Street, Gateshead

Read more on InformationNOW about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning + (LGBTQIA+) support and groups in Newcastle 

Church of the Holy Nativity, Chapel House

Holy Nativity welcomes people and families of all ages and backgrounds. They offer a range of activities and services for people who live, work and pass through the local community, such as:

• Little Fishes – Baby and Toddler Group (check availability)
• Chapel house men’s group
• Women’s fellowship
• Mothers union meetings
• Memory Tea with Search Newcastle
• Recovery Drop-In (Peer-Support only – call to know more)

Winnovation Training

Updated organisation

Winnovation Training are a Health, Social, and Early Years training provider. They support employed and unemployed people with free government funded training. They can have a range of support available including

• pre employment support
• skills, learning, development
• qualifications such as apprenticeship opportunities

Read more about  Support to prepare for work or a job

UPDATED AND NEW ARTICLES

Help with clothing

Updated article

This article aims to give you information on where you can get support and help to get free, cheap and second hand clothes at an affordable cost.

Read more about Help with clothing on Information Now

Last updated: January 24, 2025