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InformationNow News 27 March 2026
25 March 2026
InformationNow News 10 April 2026
NEWS
InformationNOW
We want InformationNow to be easy for everyone to use, whatever your needs or preferences. That’s why every page includes the Recite Me accessibility toolbar, which helps you personalise how the website looks and works for you.
You’ll see the Recite Me bar at the top of the page, marked with an Accessibility button and simple icons for things like text size, colours, reading aloud and translation. When you click it, a toolbar opens across the screen where you can choose the options that suit you best. You don’t need to install anything, and you can turn features on or off at any time as you browse.
Read more on InformationNow about Accessible information
Careers Fair
The UK Careers Fair returns to Newcastle on Friday 17 April 10am – 2pm, Civic Centre.
Meet local and national employers face-to-face, and apply directly for hundreds of vacancies at the Newcastle Careers Fair.
The Newcastle Careers Fair will offer candidates from all backgrounds, experience and education levels the opportunity to speak to representatives from an abundance of local employers, all in one place.
Read more on InformationNow about Looking for a job or work
Late Shows
The Late Shows are a free late-night culture crawl. In 2026 they will take place over the weekend of Friday 8 – Saturday 9 May.
During The Late Shows, museums, galleries, studio collectives and landmark historical buildings come together to offer visitors one-off events including hands-on workshops, behind-the-scenes tours, performances and parties. It is all about encouraging people to do something cultural with their evening.
Read more on InformationNow about The Late Shows
Carer Friendly Awards
Do you know a professional, organisation or employer who goes above and beyond to support unpaid carers?
Our Carer Friendly Awards (taking place during Carers Week 2026) celebrate people who go the extra mile to make life better for carers of all ages. The awards recognise outstanding practice, innovation, compassion and commitment across Newcastle and beyond.
If you, your organisation, or another professional or business has made a positive difference to carers, we want to hear about it – nominate them for a Carer Friendly Award.
Read more on InformationNow about Looking after someone
World Autism Acceptance Month
April is World Autism Acceptance Month, a global effort to promote a better understanding of autism, acceptance, and inclusion throughout society.
North East Autism Society offers free resources that are designed to help people take part in World Autism Acceptance Week in an engaging and meaningful way. These resources are created to support positive conversations about autism, difference and acceptance.
Read more on InformationNow about North East Autism Society
SPOTLIGHT ON
Jesmond Community Festival 2026
This year’s Community Festival in Jesmond will be taking place between Saturday 2 May and Sunday 31 May, with over 80 events at locations all over Jesmond. A regular feature of Jesmond Festival is the huge variety; truly “something for everyone”.
Festival highlights include Guided Walks, Model train rides, Circle Dancing and a Street Party.
Read more on InformationNow about Jesmond Community Festival
Who Will You Give It Up For?
Newcastle Libraries are running a series of free supportive activities in April to help you give up smoking. Activities include paper crafting, photography and basket weaving – there’s even an adult Forest School!
Read more on InformationNow about Giving up smoking
Newcastle Dementia Network Meeting
Tuesday 28 April 10am – 11.30am, Lemington Centre, Tyneview, Newcastle NE15 8RZ
The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in dementia — professionals, carers, and community partners alike. Feel free to bring along any updates, resources, or news you’d like to share.
No formal booking is required, but please confirm if you plan to attend here
Read more on InformationNow about Search Newcastle
Public Health Network
The Health Equity Network is a free, UK‑wide network for people working to reduce health inequalities and make a real difference to the things that shape our health, like housing, income and education. It’s a good way to connect with others, share ideas, and learn what’s working in different places. Sign up to get involved, access events and webinars, and be part of a growing movement for fairer, healthier communities.
Read more on InformationNow about Health Inequalities
OPPORTUNITIES
Carers Passes
Did you know that Newcastle Carers have passes you can borrow to visit places like Beamish Museum and Alnwick Gardens? Available to carers of all ages, registered with Newcastle Carers.
Get in touch here to book a pass
Read more on InformationNow about Newcastle Carers
Young Entrepreneurs Grants
Grants of up to £2,000 are available for young entrepreneurs across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. In partnership with SWEF, North East Enterprise Agency are supporting entrepreneurs to turn their business ideas into reality. Applications are now open.
Find out more about the grants here
Read more on InformationNow about Community Foundation North East
Supported Employment
The Supported Employment Service helps people who have barriers to employment find and stay in work. They help people to think about their career goals and how to achieve them. They can help you to:
- understand existing skills and how they’re useful to the jobs market
- write a CV and apply for jobs online
- get ready for interviews
- choose and gain qualifications
- stay in work
- take part in work experience and placements at Natures Landscapes and FoodWorks.
Read more on InformationNow about Supported Employment Service at Newcastle City Council
CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Volunteers Week
Volunteers Week is 1 – 7 June 2026
This year’s theme is inspire — a perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution of your current volunteers while inspiring the next wave of people to get involved.
If your organisation is planning its own celebration of volunteering, hosting a public event, or running any activities during the week let Volunteering Matters know and they will include you in their newsletter.
Get added to the newsletter here
Read more on InformationNow about Volunteering Matters
Vape-free places in England
Parliament is currently considering the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The bill will give the government new powers to make regulations on tobacco and vapes.
They plan to use these powers as soon as reasonably practicable after the bill becomes law and are seeking views on proposals to:.
- extend smoke-free laws to certain outdoor public places, including children’s playgrounds and outside a number of health and social care and education settings
- introduce heated tobacco-free places
- introduce vape-free places
- introduce exemptions including allowing for designated smoking, heated tobacco and vaping areas within smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places
- define boundaries and set signage requirements for smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places
These proposals aim to protect children and medically vulnerable people from secondhand smoke, heated tobacco emissions and vape vapours.
Take part in the consultation here.
Read more on InformationNow about Quit Smoking NHS
Grassroots photography project
MySide have launched an open call for photographs of everyday life. The project asks you to photograph the colour of the place where you live for the theme ‘Local Colour’.
Find out more about the project here
Read more on InformationNow about Side Gallery
Disability barriers survey
Designability is inviting disabled people across the UK to share the everyday barriers they face — so that we can all design a fairer future.
The survey covers everything from home life, managing money. technology and social and community life.
Read more on InformationNow about Disability Rights UK
Good Neighbours Newcastle
The Good Neighbours Newcastle project matches volunteers with people who may be socially isolated, have physical or mental health difficulties, or who don’t have a large social network around them.
Volunteers can help with short-term or one-off practical tasks like shopping or light gardening, support with getting out and about to appointments or activities, as well as social support.
Read more on InformationNow about Good Neighbours Newcastle – Volunteering Matters
REPORTS AND RESOURCES
Healthier Together SMS Messaging Service
A new feature is now available on the Healthier Together website to help families get trusted NHS health advice straight to their phones, and in their own language.
The multilingual SMS service can send the link to any page on the site directly to any mobile phone via text message, making it easier for parents and carers to understand their child’s symptoms, manage illnesses, and know when to seek help.
The Healthier Together site has functionality built-in to translate the content into over 30 languages, and the new SMS service will enable professionals to more easily signpost families they work with to reliable health advice in their own language.
Explore Healthier Together now
Read more on InformationNow about Healthier Together
What’s your heart age?
The British Heart Foundation and the NHS have teamed up to bring you a new way to check your risk of heart attack or stroke. This calculator will compare your real age to your heart age by asking you questions about your health. You’ll also find out how to improve your heart age by making some healthy lifestyle changes.
Calculate your heart health here
Read more on InformationNow about British Heart Foundation
Wildlife Gardening Course
Wednesday 6 May 10am – 12pm for 6 weeks. The Lighthouse Project, Byker, NE6 2FT
Do you want to learn how to create thriving green areas for wildlife? This free course will teach you green skills and how to connect with nature.
Read more on InformationNow about Northumberland Wildlife Trust
UPCOMING EVENTS
Support for Refugees
Support for Refugees event hosted by Newcastle United Foundation. Newcastle United Foundation, NUCASTLE, Diana Street, Newcastle NE4 6BQ
This event is aimed at people seeking sanctuary or newly recognised refugees, offering access to a range of support services including housing and benefit advice, school admissions help, food and clothing assistance, English language support, SIM cards and library registration, and information about local services, as well as input from police and fire services.
The event is family-friendly, with free food and drinks provided.
Reserve your place at the event here
Read more on InformationNow about Newcastle United Foundation
Celebrating Blossom
Every spring, blossom declares the arrival of brighter days to come. The Parks team invite you to join them and the National Trust to enjoy blossom’s fleeting beauty and celebrate all the good it can do – for people and for nature, with their Spring programme of FREE events!
Another event is taking place at Paddy Freeman’s Pavilion, Paddy Freemans Park, on Thursday 16 April and features:
- Blossom Kites
- Wildflower Seedball Making
- Blossom & Bird Safari
- Create & Bloom
Although the events are free, you can book places here
Read more on InformationNow about Newcastle Parks and Allotments
Moth Night
Friday 10 April 8.30pm – 10pm
Join in with an evening of moth discovery at Gosforth Nature Reserve. They will set up a light trap at dusk and watch nocturnal insects arrive. Along the way, there will be chat about moth ecology, how to identify common species, and the important role moths play in local ecosystems.
Read more on InformationNow about Gosforth Nature Reserve
NEW AND UPDATED ON INFONOW
Newcastle Recovery Academy
Updated organisation
Newcastle Recovery Academy is a service provided by Waythrough. Waythrough specialises in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. Their high quality, evidence based services are designed around the needs of the people and communities they serve.
Read more on InformationNow about Newcastle Recovery Academy
Sexual Health Service Newcastle
Updated organisation
Sexual Health Services Newcastle provides free sexual health support. This includes: contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Read more on InformationNow about Sexual Health Services Newcastle
Last updated: April 10, 2026
