InformationNow News 11 September 2026

InformationNow News 11 September 2026

InformationNOW

Help Us Improve InfoNOW News!

Is InfoNow News due a makeover? Let us know!

If you’re reading this newsletter, we want to speak to you. What keeps you coming back to read InfoNOW News every fortnight? What information do you find most useful? And what feels like filler?

We’ve prepared a short survey to capture your feedback and help us make InfoNow News as relevant as possible to our readers. It should take no longer than five minutes to complete, and any information you give us will be used only for the purpose improving the newsletter.

Take the survey here.

Visit www.informationnow.org.uk today and keep Newcastle connected.

Neighbourhood Network Events: Autumn 2026

We are excited to announce the next round of Neighbourhood Networking events happening across Newcastle!

These events are your chance to come together with voluntary and community sector organisations, faith groups, local businesses and statutory organisations in your local area.

You will build connections, share experiences, learn together, and take action to improve health and wellbeing, as well as the services we deliver.

The theme for the Autumn 2026 is “Connecting Services, Shaping Futures”. This will mean applying the experience and expertise of the people and organisations in the room to help shape the future of Adult Social Care and Prevention in Newcastle.

Register your attendance here.

Details are as follows:

  • North – Tuesday 22 September – 10am to 12pm – Redhouse Farm Football Ground, Kingston Park Road, Parklands, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2HY
  • Inner West – Tuesday 29 September – 10am to 12pm – The Beacon, Westgate Road, Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 9PQ
  • Outer West – Wednesday 30 September – 1pm to 3pm – Throckley Community Hall, Back Victoria Terrace, Throckley, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 9EL
  • East – Thursday 1 October – 1.30pm to 3.30pm – Ray Gray Community Centre, Stotts Road, Walkergate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4UH

You are welcome to bring a support worker or personal assistant to help with your access needs — please indicate an additional person on the form.

If you have any access requirements, please get in touch, and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Access Guides will be sent out ahead of the events.

Read more on InformationNOW about Newcastle Neighbourhoods

SPOTLIGHT ON

Falls Prevention Week

Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September 2026

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will be hosting a series of events during Falls Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “Right Care, Right Place, Right Time.”

Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing. However, they can have a significant impact on a person’s confidence, independence and quality of life, and are one of the leading reasons for hospital admissions among older people. Many falls can be prevented through awareness, appropriate support and early intervention.

Working in partnership with NHS services, Newcastle City Council, charities and private organisations, we will be providing falls prevention advice, signposting to local services, raising awareness of falls risk and offering walking aid MOTs.

Members of the public are welcome to visit us at the following locations:

  • Monday 21 September: Freeman Hospital Main Entrance, 9.00am to 3.00pm
  • Tuesday 22 September: Royal Victoria Infirmary (outside MediCinema), 9.00am to 3.00pm
  • Wednesday 23 September: Grainger Market, 9.00am to 3.00pm
  • Thursday 24 September: Throckley Community Hall, 12.00pm to 3.00pm
  • Friday 25 September: MELISSA NHS Bus, 9.00am to 3.00pm (location to be confirmed)

Read more on InformationNow about Falls prevention

Elders Council Link Group

Thursday 17 September 10.30am to 12.30pm, One Strawberry Place

Listening, Inclusion, Networking and Knowledge (LINK) is the new member-led group from the Elders Council starting this month. The group will connect people aged 50+ across Newcastle, reach new voices, welcome new members and support Elders Council projects and activities. Members will also have opportunities to develop skills and get involved with outreach and engagement to help create an Age Proud Newcastle.

For more information, contact the Elders Council at [email protected]

Read more on InformationNow about the Elders Council

OPPORTUNITIES

Misinformation V Disinformation

Monday 19 October 2026, 10am to 12.30pm, Newcastle City Library

Discover how artificial intelligence is shaping the information we see online in this accessible, beginner-friendly session. Learn practical ways to spot misinformation & disinformation.

City Library and AbilityNet are offering session exploring how AI influences the content we read, share, and trust online. From deepfakes to algorithm‑generated news, AI can be used to inform, but also to mislead — and knowing the difference is more important than ever.

Further details available here.

Read more on InformationNow about online safety

Unison’s Big Green Bash

Wednesday 23 September, 2026, 6pm to 10pm, Civic Centre

Come down to Newcastle’s Civic Centre to celebrate all things green and watch some films!

As part of UNISON’s Year of Green Activity, on the 23rd of September we are hosting UNISON’s Big Green Bash at Newcastle Civic Centre to bring people together and celebrate!

The event is for anyone in the community – members and non-members of UNISON alike, to come together and celebrate environmental action and community.

We will be screening one short climate film called ‘The Man Who Mends Things’, followed by the feature length film ‘2040’ focused on climate action and regeneration.

Free vegan buffet is on offer, and the bar will also be open for drinks with live music till 10pm. There will also be a range of climate and activist organisations holding stalls discussing how to take action locally and nationally.

We look forward to celebrating environmental action with you at the Civic Centre!

Register your attendance here.

Read more on InformatioNow about UNISON

Free Filmmaking Course for Disabled Young People

Applications close 14 October 2026

Applications are now open for a free filmmaking course for young disabled people with Beacon Films.

There are 12 places available The course is free and suitable for young people aged 16-19, and adults aged 20-25, who are disabled and/or neurodivergent and passionate about film. The course starts in October. No experience is needed to take part, and bursaries are available to support participants’ access and travel needs.

14 October is the deadline to apply. Further details on how to apply can be found here.

Taster sessions are taking place on Saturday 10 October at 10am to 12.15pm, and 1pm to 3.15pm.

Read more on InformationNow about Beacon Films CIC.

CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT

Healthwatch Annual Joint Meeting: Gateshead and Newcastle

Wednesday 30 September 2026, 4pm to 6pm, Gateshead College

This public meeting is a chance to hear about Healthwatch activities, participate in committee elections, and discuss the future of the public voice in Gateshead and Newcastle.

The signups for the event will close on the 28th of September, so if you plan to attend, please register in advance.

Full details of the event can be found here.

Read more on InformationNow about Healthwatch

Fairtrade Trail

Monday 21 September to Sunday 4 October

The Fairtrade Trail takes you on a journey through the canny streets of Newcastle, with stop-offs at the city’s finest ethical venues. These vibrant venues – cafés, restaurants, shops and community spaces – are champions of fair trade in our city, whether that be through stocking Fairtrade certified products or supporting fair trade values and principles.

Click here to find out more about the Fairtrade Trail

Read more on InformationNow about Fairtrade Foundation

REPORTS AND RESOURCES

Newcastle Fund (Small Grants) now open!

Closing 1 October 2026

Newcastle City Council has launched Round 16 Small Grants of the Newcastle Fund; applications are open from 3 September 2026 until 10am on 1 October 2026.

The Newcastle Fund Small Grants programme supports not-for-profit organisations that are making a positive difference within Newcastle communities. Funding of up to £5,000 is available to deliver small projects or contribute towards core running costs.

For further information and to apply for Round 16 Newcastle Fund (Small Grants), please visit: Small Grants (Newcastle Fund) | Newcastle City Council

Tap the App Campaign

This week a new regional campaign launched to help more people across the North East discover what they can do with the NHS App.

The Tap the App campaign is encouraging people to download the NHS App, explore what it can do and, importantly, switch on notifications so they don’t miss messages from their GP practice or hospital.

From ordering repeat prescriptions and viewing health records to managing appointments and receiving messages, the NHS App is making it easier for people to manage their healthcare securely, at a time that suits them.

See the Tap the App campaign here

Read more on InformationNow about the NHS App

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ouse Burn Way: City Tree Trail

Thursday 1 October 2026, 10am to 12pm, Heaton Park

Join Natural History Society of Northumbria for a friendly, informal walk exploring the fascinating trees that thrive in Newcastle’s urban spaces. During this session, you’ll take a closer look at the trees of Heaton Park, including both native species and exotic varieties introduced for their beauty and interest.

Find out more about the walk here.

Read more about about Newcastle’s parks on InformationNow.

Older People’s Celebration Day

Thursday 1 October 2026, Newcastle City Library

Join Equal Arts and Newcastle Libraries on 1 October to take part in a range of fun gatherings for Older People’s Celebration Day.

A free creative art workshop is taking place at 10.30am to 12.30pm, details here.

As well as two sessions for age-friendly Celidhs: 2pm to 2.40pm and 2.55pm to 3.35pm, further details here.

Read more on InformationNow about Equal Arts

The Big Toon Reading Challenge Book Social

Saturday 3 October 2026, from 11am to 1pm, Newcastle City Library

A special book social to celebrate Member’s Day. Come along to chat books with library staff, add to your handmade reading journal and take part in bookish activities.

You can also visit the Banned Books display and learn more about the freedom to read and harms of censorship.

Full event details can be found here.

Read more on InformationNow about libraries

NEW AND UPDATED ON INFONOW

Updated organisation: NECA

NECA (Formally North East Council on Addictions) are a charity that supports people and communities with long term recovery from harmful gambling.

Read more on InformationNow about NECA (Formally North East Council on Addictions)

Updated organisation: NECA

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind provide mental health support services and training to promote positive mental health.

Read more on InformationNow about Tyneside and Northumberland Mind

Last updated: September 11, 2026