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11 November 2024 InfoNOW News
11 November 2024
InfoNOW News 16 July 2024
InformationNOW in Connected Voice Summer 2024
The InformationNOW team is featured in the Summer 2024 edition of Connected Voice Magazine. In the edition we give some tips on financial inclusion and highlight organisations and services that can give financial guidance and support and could help you to improve your finances.
The issue also highlights:
- Moneywise Credit Union and how they are reducing the barriers to entry for their customers.
- NEFirst Credit Union and how their financial inclusion projects are making a difference.
Read Connected Voice Magazine’s Summer 2024 edition here
Read more about finance and managing your money on InformationNOW
Best Holiday Ever 2024
Bookings are open for Newcastle’s Best Holiday Ever summer holiday clubs!
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.
You can search for Best holiday ever activities by
Age group
5 to 10 year olds
11 to 16 year olds
Neighbourhoods of Newcastle:
East
North
Inner West
Outer West
Read more on InformationNOW about Best Holiday Ever: Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Newcastle Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
An updated Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for Newcastle upon Tyne is available on Newcastle.gov.uk. The JSNA looks at the current population of Newcastle, how it is changing, the current and potential future health needs of our population. It also looks at key information areas such as mental health, community safety, children and young people.
You can navigate the JSNA pages and use the interactive reports to find out more about the current population of Newcastle.
View the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) on Newcastle.gov.uk
Read more on InformationNOW about Health Inequalities
Newcastle Neighbourhoods
In May, four Newcastle Neighbourhoods Network events were held across city, in each of the four areas of Newcastle, North, East, Inner West, Outer West.. These events were attended by people from various local businesses, voluntary organisations, community organisations, Adult Social Care, Children and families hubs, Public health and more. You can find the event summaries
You can view the summary reports of these events below
North Neighbourhood network May 2024
East Neighbourhood network May 2024
Inner West Neighbourhood network May 2024
Outer West Neighbourhood network May 2024
The next Neighbourhood Network events will take place in September:
North Neighbourhood network
12 September 2024, Montagu Estate Residents Association (MERA), NE3 4RJ
17 September, Heaton Community Centre, NE6 5DY
Inner West Neighbourhood network
19 September, The Beacon, NE4 9PQ
Outer West Neighbourhood network
11 September 2024, Galafield Centre, NE5 1LZ
Read more on InformationNOW about Newcastle Neighbourhoods
Music Pass: a gift for future music lovers
The The Glasshouse International Centre for Music’s Music Pass is a special £25 voucher that can be spent on family-friendly concerts, gigs, and interactive music classes for children. It’s a gift to every baby born in the North East and Cumbria between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024.
The Music Pass provides an opportunity for families to bond over live music experiences, helping to nurture future music lovers. The pass is valid for 10 years from the date you receive it.
Read more about the Music Pass: a gift for future music lovers
Read more on InformationNOW about Music Venues
Cost of Living Helpline to close
Cost of Living Helpline at Newcastle City Council will be closing on 1 August 2024.
There is still a wide range of cost of living information, advice, and support available in Newcastle.
Citizens Advice Newcastle provide free, confidential, independent and impartial advice on debt & money, benefits, energy, housing and more.
If you need food help there are food banks, free meals and cheap food options available.
If you need advice and support with energy and heating costs there is support available
Read more on InformationNOW about cost of living support
New Digital Support service for Carers
Mobilise online for carers
Looking after a family member or friend, who has a disability, long-term illness or is elderly? You might be struggling to find support with anything from finances to practical help, from mealtimes to continence, from hospital discharge to finding time for yourself. Mobilise can help.
The Mobilise service provides online support to unpaid carers. They’re a community of carers, helping each other.
Together they’ve created some simple digital tools, resources and a friendly supportive space online. You can join them at support.mobiliseonline.co.uk/newcastle
Mobilise started in 2019 providing online support services for unpaid carers. Commissioned by ADASS they are initially providing support across the North East for 2 years.
Read more on InformationNOW about Looking after someone
Cat microchipping event
23 July 2024, 10am to 3pm, The Lemington centre, NE15 8DE
As of 10 June 2024, it is a legal requirement in England to microchip your cat if they’re older than 20 weeks.
The Newcastle and Northumberland RSPCA want to encourage people to get their cats microchipped, so are holding a free cat microchipping event for cat owners in Newcastle at the Lemington centre.
There’s no need to book, just turn up with your cat to the Lemington centre, side entrance between 10am and 3pm,
Read more on InformationNOW about Pets and animals
Novum festival
8 to 11 August 2024
Novum festival returns for August 2024 with performances, interactive installations, live music and free family activities from a host of local, national, and international artists.
Highlights of the four-day festival include:
- puppetry and storytelling from The League of Curiosity
- Here be Dragons – Dragon themed activities and a pop up stage from Unfolding Theatre
- live music, singing, acrobatics, hat juggling and aerial performances on a flying piano from Circque Bijou
- Shy Bairns Get Nowt – a comedy, dance and circus act from Newcastle Circus Arts
Read more on InformationNOW about Novum Festival and some of the free activities
Newcastle Youth Fund
Deadline 25 August 2024, 12pm
Applications to the Newcastle Youth Fund are now open. Funding of up to £25,000 is available for not-for-profit organisations in Newcastle who deliver initiatives for young people aged 13 and 19 and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) up to the age of 25.
To apply for funding, you must
- be a community or voluntary group, a registered charity or a not-for-profit business such as a Community Interest Company (CIC) or social enterprise.
- be based in Newcastle or surrounding areas, or have a record of delivering services in Newcastle.
- demonstrate that you have listened and responded to the needs of local young people.
If you need a copy of the guide to applying to the Newcastle Youth Fund please email the Newcastle Youth Fund team
Applications must be submitted by Monday 5 August 2024.
The Newcastle youth Fund is In collaboration with the National Lottery Community Fund.
Read more on InformationNOW about youth and children’s activities
Chinese Elders arts opportunity
Deadline 2 August 2024
Newcastle Arts Development Team in partnership with the Elders Council and Search would like to recruit a fashion/textile artist to support the Chinese Healthy Living and South Mountain groups to explore their heritage and culture in a eco-friendly fashion project that will help shine a light on ageing positively.
Through community based workshops, people taking part will transform and personalise second hand clothes and materials using different techniques such as dying, appliqué, printing, and stencil.
Cantonese speaking artists are desired – to communicate with the groups – but this is not essential
If you would like to read the full artists residency brief, apply for this opportunity or need any further information please Email : [email protected]
Read more on InformationNOW about Arts in Newcastle
Community Foundation P&G hardship fund
19 August 2024
The Proctor & Gamble (P&G) Hardship fund from Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is now open. The fund offers up to £5000 for organisations supporting people experiencing hardship in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. There are 2 themes to apply for the funding.
Creating the Experience of Home: – supporting charitable organisations helping people with housing issues, who have been displaced from their home, or with the cost of living. For example providing:
- furnishings/items for supported tenancies
- independent living skills sessions
- access to warm hubs for people struggling with cost of living
- access to food provision for people struggling with cost of living
Everyday Health and Confidence – supporting charitable organisations that enable healthy lives through everyday healthy behaviours. For example:
- supporting vulnerable people to improve their self confidence through health and hygiene such as helping them to clean clothes and improve personal hygiene
- providing mental health activities for vulnerable people
Find out more and apply for the P&G fund on Community Foundation Tyne & Wear’s website
Read more on InformationNOW about Affordable furniture and mental health support
Child Protection and Advocacy: Q&A Breakfast Event
1 August, 9.30 am to 11.30 am, One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle, NE1 4BX
This questions and answer breakfast event.is aimed at professionals who work with parents. If you are involved in Child Protection, come along and:
• find out how to make a referral for advocacy
• talk to advocates about real experiences of supporting families
• hear about our proven track record to save your service time and money
• discover how we support parents practically and make meetings more comfortable and productive for all involved
• learn how to reduce confusion, tension, and make the process less adversarial leading to more positive engagement from parents
Find out more and register for this event on Connected Voices website
Read more on InformationNOW about Connected Voice Advocacy
Have your say on Newcastle Ward proposals
New boundaries are being proposed for council wards in Newcastle.
The Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBCE) review the number of councillors, wards and ward names for upon Tyne. They have published draft recommendations for new wards in Newcastle
The LGBCE wants to hear what residents and local organisations think about the proposals. A ten-week consultation on the proposals will run until 16 September 2024.
You can view the Newcastle upon Tyne LGBCE recommendation and interactive map on their website.
You can read a one page fact sheet on the proposed changes here
You can view a non interactive map of the changes here
Share your views by:
- Leaving feedback on their website
- e-mail [email protected]
- or write to them at: Review Officer (Newcastle upon Tyne), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE
Read more on InformationNOW about Get involved in your community
NHS CNTW Website – Have your say
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) is beginning work to develop a new website for the Trust. They need to hear from as many people as possible in order to make sure it meets the needs of the people they support, treat, and work with.
They’re inviting people to join engagement sessions from Monday 15 – Friday 19 July (full list below). These sessions will last about an hour each, and will take place online. They are open to staff, service users, carers, referrers, members of the public, and anyone who might need to use the website.
To take part, please email [email protected] with the session you’d like to join from this list:
Tuesday 16 July, 6pm – 7pm
Wednesday 17 July, 12pm – 1pm
Thursday 18 July, 2pm – 3pm
Friday 19 July, 9am – 10am
If you’re not able to attend any of the engagement sessions you can use the form below to share any other times you are available. CNTW will use this to do their best to accommodate as many people as possible.
Arrange another time for CNTW by form here
Read more on InformationNOW about Having your say about health services.
Elders Council Research Involvement Survey
Have you been involved in research through the Elders Council since 2021?
Was it in response to an advert in Elders Council bulletin, or were you asked to attend something on behalf of the Elders Council? Were you involved in The Experience of Ageing Amongst Chinese and South Asian Women in Newcastle research, or the Just Us: Awards for All Age Friendly Neighbourhoods Creative Project ?
The Elders Council will be looking at the impact of their past involvement in research over the coming months
If you have been involved they would like to hear your views or experiences. Please Email: [email protected] to share your experiences.
Read more on InformationNOW about getting involved in research around health and wellbeing
Rough Sleeping research
Newcastle City Council is supporting Shelter to conduct important research on rough sleeping in Newcastle. This study aims to understand why people sleep on the streets, what keeps them there, and what assistance they need.
Anyone who is currently rough sleeping or has experienced rough sleeping in Newcastle within the last 12 months is eligible to particulate. Shelter will obtain informed consent from all participants before proceeding.
Interviews are conducted at convenient locations, with participants receiving £20 in Love2Shopvouchers as compensation. Strict confidentiality and ethical guidelines are maintained throughout the process.
Upon completion, Shelter will provide a comprehensive report on their findings.
If you know someone who meets the criteria and might be interested in participating, please contact Tracy at [email protected].
Read more on InformationNOW about homeless or worried about becoming homeless
Healthwatch Newcastle Annual Report 2023-2024
Healthwatch Newcastle helps people to speak up about health and social care services in Newcastle. They also offer free, confidential and independent information. Their latest Annual Report is out now. Read to find about more about how theyve supported local communities
Read Healthwatch Newcastle’s annual report 2023-24 here
Read more on InformationNOW about How to raise a concern about health services
Social Housing Waiting Times Tool
Current housing demand
Newcastle is facing a real challenge in terms of a falling supply of social housing and increased demand for accommodation. As of April 2024, the current waiting times for people bidding on Newcastle Homes was an average wait of 10 weeks for people in Band A (immediate danger of serious risk or harm) 31 weeks for Band B (urgent need) and 55 weeks for Band C (medium need).
There is further information on key housing facts https://www.newcastlehomes.org.uk/content/KeyHousingFacts which will be updated through the year.
The Social Housing Waiting Times Tool is a tool that you and customers can use to find out the average waiting times for properties in the city. Search properties – NewcastleHomes.org.uk.
Read more on InformationNOW about social and affordable housing
UK Parliament workshops
The House of Commons and the House of Lords make up the UK Parliament, and they make decisions that affect us all.
- Do you run a group that may be interested in finding out how the UK Parliament works?
- Do you want to learn how to get your voices heard on issues that affect you?
Free information sessions can be arranged at your venue to help you get involved.
You and Your UK Parliament
The 60-90 minute session covers:
- An introduction to how UK Parliament works
- UK Government in Parliament
- What Members of Parliament (MPs) do and how you can work with them
- How to work with members of the House of Lords
- How laws are made
- How you can get your voice heard on issues you care about
Please fill in the enquiry form here and your local officer will be in touch: Outreach Workshop Request Form – Community Groups – Parliament UK Education
Read more on InformationNOW about getting involved with your local ward
St Nicholas Park Community Nature Celebration Day
Find out more about nature on your doorsteps at St Nicholas park in Gosforth. Theres drop-in activities including pond dipping, minibeast hunts, arts and crafts and den building. Activities are aimed at children but are just as fun for adults too. The day celebrates the local community, although everyone is welcome. All activities will repeat through the day so you can join in any time.
Read more on InformationNOW about St Nicholas Park community nature celebration day
Chain Reaction Spring activities
Chain Reaction support older people (over 55) to live independently in the community. They help you to access groups and services in your local area. They have new Spring 2024 activities and trips available:
Lunch & Bingo
Thursday 18 July 2024, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Friday 19 July 2024, 11am – 12pm
Friday 19 July 2024, 2.30 pm to 4pm
Brunch walk and talk
Tuesday 23 July 2024, 11am to 1pm
Chain reaction monthly bus trip
Friday 26 July 2024, 10.30am to 3pm
Please contact Chain Reaction for further information on their activities.
Read more on InformationNOW about Chain Reaction
Everything Email – Get Online Newcastle
Get Online Newcastle have a new Everything Email course to help people get the most out of their Email.
Everything Email from 24 July 2024, every Wednesday at Newcastle City Library.
If you are new to email and would like to set up an account, sort your old account out, better manage your ‘inbox’, delete unwanted messages, download attachments, and how to identify scam messages – come along to this session.
They also run lots of other courses to help you get online and improve your digital skills:
Online Basics Course 18 July 2024, Tuesdays and Thursdays weekly at Newcastle City Library.
Online Basics courses give you some support to get online for the first time and to learn basic digital skills in an informal setting.
Intro to Office 19 July 2024, Tuesdays and Fridays weekly at Newcastle City Library.
A course for anyone wanting to get a basic understanding of how to use Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Techy Tea Party at Newcastle City Library, 25 July, every Thursday
Bring along your own device – laptop, smart phone, tablet or iPad – and get help with basic settings, secure your device and download and navigate apps.
All places on these sessions must be booked.
If you are unable to book online you can call 0191 2778842 to book a session.
Read more on InformationNOW about Get Online Newcastle
Try Your Hand At Sewing a Book Cover
18 July 2024, 1.30 pm to 3pm, High Heaton Library NE7 7HD
Learn basic sewing and embroidery stiches by making your very own fabric notebook cover.
Read more on InformationNOW about Try Your Hand At Sewing a Book Cover
Myfolks
New organisation
Myfolks is a digital concierge services that connects older adults with people in the community who can support them right when they need it. MyFolks uses local volunteers with an interest in supporting older people who may be socially isolated. This could be helping with tasks or just visiting to put the kettle on and have a cuppa with someone. This can all be done using their mobile App.
They offer:
- companionship
- light household tasks
- accompany someone to an appointment
- technology support.
Read more on InformationNOW about MyFolks
Connected Voice Advocacy
Updated organisation
Connected Voice Advocacy provide advocacy services to help you to get your voice heard. An Advocate will help you speak up for yourself, find out about your rights, explore your options, make decisions and choices or get services or support:
They can provide health and care advocacy for adults in Newcastle and Gateshead who need support with health and care issues
They provide Hate crime advocacy for people across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear who have experienced or are at risk of hate crime.
Their DIY Advocate® tool helps organise your problem step by step, think about your options, make decisions, get more information and make an action plan.
Read more on InformationNOW about Connected Voice Advocacy
The Mental Shift CIC
New organisation
The Mental Shift is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that supports the mental health and wellbeing of young men through physical activity, Muay Thai and contact sports
They work with schools and gyms to offer various programs tailored to mental health and social issues that affect young men.
They have launched their Active Connection project which offers free support to the parents and carers of children with additional needs including neurodiversity, mental health issues, and learning disabilities. Parents can join to make new connections, share their experiences, give advice and try something new.
The first session of this project will take place on 24 July from 2.30 pm to 4pm at Ringside Diner, 24 Invincible Drive, NE4 7HX. You can find it in the Armstrong Industrial Estate off Scotswood Road.
You can register for the Active Connection sessions on their website here
Read more on InformationNOW about The Mental Shift
Dementia Friendly Newcastle
Updated article
Newcastle is committed to becoming a Dementia Friendly city. This is a place where people living with dementia are:
- understood
- respected
- supported
- included
- involved
- confident they can contribute to their community
- have choice and control in their lives
Newcastle Council’s Dementia Friendly Newcastle project brings people living with dementia and their carers together with community partners to improve wellbeing, take part in activities and increase knowledge of local support available.
Read more on InformationNOW about Dementia friendly Newcastle
End of life care
Updated article
End of life care, is support for people who are close to the end of their life. This could be the last few months, or years of their lives. The care you are given helps you to live as well as possible and to die with dignity. It also includes support for family members.
Read more on InformationNOW about end of life care
Last updated: July 17, 2024
