11 February 2022 InfoNOWNews

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Opportunities for action

LGBT+ History Month  – Politics In Art

2022 sees the 50th anniversary of the very first Pride March in the UK in 1972. LGBT+ History month is an informative and celebratory month which aims to educate out prejudice and make LGBT+  people visible in all their diversity.Online events include:

• QUEER : LGBTQ writing from ancient times to yesterday
• LGBTQ representation in High School musicals
• LGBTQ interest books for children and young people

#LGBTHM2

Spotlight on

The Big Winter Wander and health

The World Wildlife Fund is asking us to take part in the Big Winter Wander in February. By taking part in The Big Winter Wander, you can reconnect with our beautiful wildlife and help protect it.

The official fundraising channels have now closed but you can still donate or raise money for a local charity together.  Locally we have some wonderful areas to visit, such as:

Sugley Dene
Chopwell Wood
Hamsterley Forest

Follow Urban Green for more information and ideas of where to wander.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust looks after 60 nature reserves and Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre

North East Wilds run woodland projects including growing clubs.

InformationNOW has articles on: parks, gardens, forests and woodlands, walking and health

Research and Reports

Shingles vaccine

Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the reactivation of a latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection, generally decades after the original infection. Evidence shows that people over the age of 70 years are more at risk to Shingles and the consequences of it should it spread to the lungs, liver, gut or elsewhere in the body.  If you are offered the vaccine through your GP surgery, please talk to them or take up this opportunity.

InformationNOW has a section on health

The Equality Act, essential services and people with mental health problems

The Money and Mental Health Foundation research report reveals many essential services providers are likely to be failing to meet legal duties set out in the Equality Act 2010, which requires them to anticipate and address the needs of customers with mental health problems.Findings show that:

• only three in ten (29%) people with mental health problems say that essential service providers usually anticipate and meet their needs
• fewer than a third of people (32%) with mental health problems say they have been asked by most of their essential services providers if they have any needs that would affect their ability to use services
• around one in three people with mental health problems said they were not offered any reasonable adjustments even after telling an essential services firm that they had a mental health condition

InformationNOW has a section on:health and money and mental health information with organisations that can help; mental health crisis information

Resources

Domestic Abuse Training Programme

Safe Newcastle has introduced its Domestic Abuse Multi-Agency Training Programme for 2022 – 2023. This training can help you recognise the signs and indicators of domestic abuse, understand the issues affecting those subjected to it and respond safely and effectively when someone needs our protection, help and support. Classroom and blended learning styles are available.The training courses are suitable for staff from many different sectors and organisations, including:

• specialist domestic and sexual violence service providers
• health professionals, for example, midwives, health visitors, GPs, nurses, mental health services
• adult and children’s social care practitioners, including Early Help staff
• children’s Centres and voluntary sector children’s organisations
• education sector
• housing and hostel services
• alcohol and drug services
• criminal justice agencies

All bookings are managed on Eventbrite and run in 2023.  Complete a registration on the link below.  The spring sessions are now full but Winter options are available.

November
January 2023
InformationNOW has an article on Domestic Abuse

Home from Hospital

Home from Hospital was developed to enable patients who are 55 years + who are discharged from hospital without any formal support to recover at home safely and comfortably.  It is hoped that this will also support our local NHS services and reduce readmissions. Referrals are made by the NHS Hospital Discharge Team at the RVI and Freeman hospitals.  It is a short term project at present.

Support may include collecting food items or prescriptions on the person’s behalf, friendly conversations and emotional support or practical tasks such as helping to fill in forms and making sure the person’s home is safe.They are looking for volunteers and believe that this will be a rewarding befriending experience.

InformationNOW has articles on: useful information when leaving hospital

Accessibility workshops

Events & Activities

Leisure

Newcastle University Live concerts at Home online series till June
Classical Music concerts at All Saints Gosforth
Classical Music Concerts at St James and St Basil’s Fenham