InformationNow News 3 July 2026

NEWS

The group will meet on Tuesday 25 August 2026, 2pm to 3pm. If you’d like to join us, register your interest here.

Read more on InformationNow about the ways you can currently make InformationNow more accessible.

SPOTLIGHT ON

Neighbourhood Network Events: July 2026

Places are still available to join the latest Neighbourhood Networking sessions taking place across Newcastle this month!

The networks are all about voluntary and community sector organisations, faith groups, local businesses, and statutory bodies working together to share insights and best practices to support Newcastle’s diverse communities.

This round of network events will focus on the theme of “Learning Together”. Places are free, but they are limited. Register your attendance here.

Details are as follows:

• North – Tuesday 14 July – 12.30pm to 3.30pm – Fawdon Community Centre, Fawdon Park Road, Fawdon, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2PL
• East – Thursday 16 July – 12.30pm to 3.30pm – Walker Activity Dome, Wharrier Street, Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 3BR
• Outer West – Tuesday 21 July – 9.30am – 12.30pm – St John the Evangelist Church, Kingston Park Centre, Kingston Park Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 2HB
• Inner West – Wednesday 22 July – 9.30am – 12.30pm – Cowgate Centre, 7 Houghton Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 3UT

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

NOVUM Festival

8 August 2026 to 9 August 2026

NOVUM Festival is back this summer with a three-day takeover
of creativity, entertainment and unexpected moments across Newcastle city centre. The free, family-friendly festival returns this August with a programme of events, outdoor performances, artist workshops, and more.

Find out more about the full schedule of events by clicking here.

There are also up to 300 chances to volunteer for this unique event. If you want to get involved in welcoming audiences, supporting activities, and bringing the festival to life, you can sign up now. Please feel free to share with your wider network too!

NOVUM Festival & Dominoes Volunteer Sign Up

Staying Cool During the Heatwave

Newcastle has been experiencing warmer temperatures than usual in recent weeks. While enjoying the warmer weather can be fun, heat can quickly become uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous for children, older people, and people with certain health conditions.

Remember, the hottest part of the day is between 11am and 3pm. To keep cool and stay safe:

• Stay out of the sun
• Avoid strenuous activity
• Wear a high factor sunscreen, a at, and loose-fitting clothes
• Drink plenty of water

Read more on InformationNow about keeping cool in hot weather.

OPPORTUNITIES

Grants of up to £25,000 for VCSE Organisations through the Newcastle Fund

The Newcastle Fund is the council’s main grant giving programme for voluntary and community organisations, charities and social enterprises (VCSEs) based in Newcastle. They provide funding for specific projects or for organisations’ core running costs.

Applications are now open for VCSE organisations to apply for up to £25,000 for 2027/2028. Applications are open until 10am on 23 July 2026.

The programme aims to support residents to build sustainable community resources. To do this, the fund supports projects which use the skills and knowledge of local people to:

• Build community connection
• Improve individuals’ connections
• Improve health and wellbeing

More information about the grant fund and how to apply can be found here.

Join the Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free, confidential service that can help people receiving care with additional communication, access, or health needs.

The PSR helps utility companies, including energy suppliers, electricity, gas and water networks, support people with everyday issues, as well as during an outage.

To sign up, use your postcode to find your local utility operators and complete their registration form.

Carers can be added as a nominated contact to receive alerts on behalf of those receiving care. Care providers should notify utility operators if a person they provide care for moves or their needs change.

Read more on InformationNow about the Priority Services Register.

Get Online with an 8-Week Tablet Course

July 2026 – August 2026

In partnership with Work & Thrive Central, Get Online Newcastle is offering free places on two 8-week tablet courses at Newcastle City Library and Tree Top Village.

To complete the course and be gifted a tablet and SIM card, participants must attend all 8 sessions.

Entry criteria:

• Newcastle resident aged 18 or over
• On Universal Credit
• Must have Entry Level 3 qualification in ESOL, Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening or equivalent language level (this does not apply to English language native speakers)

For information on the course happening at Newcastle City Library, click here.

For the one at Tree Top Village, follow this link.

To confirm that you can commit to the times and dates for the whole of the 8 weeks, or to express interest, send across your name, address, post code and contact number to [email protected]. Please await confirmation of your place on the course from Lisa.

Read more on InformationNow about Get Online Newcastle.

CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT

Bipolar Depression Study

If you know or support someone living with bipolar and currently experiencing depression, they may be interested in taking part in a clinical trial.

Led by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust and Newcastle University, the ASCEnD trial is looking at the clinical and cost effectiveness of a combination of drugs as a treatment for bipolar depression.

It’s hoped over 270 adults with bipolar depression from primary and secondary care services across the UK will take part in the trial. You can find out more on the ASCEnD website.

Read more on InformationNow about bipolar disorder.

Elders Council Research and Impact Group

Thursday 16 July 10.30am to 12.30pm

The Elders Council Research and Impact Group (RIG) has been reviewing its activities and planning for the coming year. This group ensures that their work alongside Newcastle City Council and in partnership with the Healthy Ageing Policy Research Unit is rooted in the real experiences of older people. If you are interested in joining them and sharing your experiences and ideas, then please contact the Elders Council for more details on 0191 208 2701.

Read more on InformationNow about Elders Council of Newcastle

REPORTS AND RESOURCES

Check Your Kidney Health

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) have launched a new campaign to improve the early identification and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). They’re encouraging everyone to take a quick online kidney health check and find out more about their personal risk of CKD.

It’s another useful example of preventive work in our region. Chronic kidney disease often develops without obvious symptoms in its early stages – but early diagnosis can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.

Read more on InformationNow about North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

UPCOMING EVENTS

‘Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne’

Wednesday 15 July 2026 to Monday 14th September, Newcastle Cathedral

This summer, St Oswald’s Hospice invites the public to pause and remember loved ones with ‘Meadow of Memories’, a commemorative bench featured in the citywide Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne art trail. The trail runs 15 July–14 September, transforming Newcastle and North Tyneside with large-scale Beatrix Potter-inspired sculptures. Created by local artist Julia Stafford, the unique “memory bench” features vibrant painted leaves, each dedicated to a loved one, watched over by Peter Rabbit – a special place for families to pause and capture a memorable photo while enjoying the trail.

Learn more about ‘Meadow of Memories’ via the Tales on the Tyne website here.

Throughout the summer, the Cathedral also offers a family explorer trail, a reading and activity space in St Margaret’s Chapel, and bookable creative workshops for young visitors.

Read more on InformationNow about St Oswald’s Hospice.

Understanding Your Baby

Beginning Tuesday 21 July 2026, 10.30am – 12.00pm, Byker Sands Family Hub

A group for all parents and carers welcoming a new baby.

Find out more about:

• How your baby’s brain develops and how you can support this
• How you and your baby might feel and what can support you both
• Ways to react to crying
• How to help with healthy sleep patterns and responsive feeding
• How play can help your baby’s development

For babies of 0-9 months. Please feel free to bring baby along.

The sessions will run for 6 weeks, with one session taking place per week. Snacks are provided and transport is available. Full information on the event can be found here.

For more information or to book, phone 0191 275 9636, text 07784299220, visit Byker Sands Family Hub, or email [email protected].

Read more on InformationNow about baby, children and young people’s health.

Northumberland Dark Skies

25 July 2026, Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre

An immersive stargazing experience in which Dr Adrian Jannetta guides you through the dark skies of Northumberland. You will get the chance to use the telescope in the Hauxley observatory, and get to see the wonders of the night sky.

Find out more about the event here.

Read more on InformationNow about Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre.

Multilingual Storytime

Monday 6 July 2026 to 31 August 2026, West End Library and Community Hub

West End Library are looking for volunteers to join their multilingual community storytime.

Older children and parents are welcome to read from a selection of books to children in a fun, relaxed environment.

If you’d like to take part, please email [email protected] or speak to a staff member at West End Library.

Read more on InformationNow about West End Library and Community Hub

New Memory Tea Group

Wednesdays, 10.30am to 12.00pm, Robert Stewart Memorial Church

Search Newcastle are hosting a new Memory Tea group in partnership with Robert Stewart Memorial Church.

The group is a welcoming, dementia-friendly social session for people living with memory loss, their carers, friends and family. Join them for a cup of tea, cake and conversation, alongside a range of activities.

Full details can be found here.

For further information, please contact Search on 0191 273 7443 or [email protected].

Read more on InformationNow about dementia.

Food Growing Workshop

Wednesday 15 July 2026, 10am to 12pm, Byker Sands Family Hub

Live in a flat or apartment?  Join a free gardening workshop in Byker.

No experience needed! This is all about learning something new and growing your skills. All welcome – even if you don’t live in a flat!

Free creche and refreshments available.

Further information can be found here.

Read more on InformationNow about gardening and health.

Abundance Exhibition

Running until Saturday 15 August 2026, NewBridge Gallery

Abundance is an installation created by artist and choreographer Lizzie Klotz and designer Bethany Wells in conversation with community neighbours in Shieldfield.

You are invited to walk, lie down and rest  and be held in the space, connecting to the feeling of abundance – however that might be accessed in your body – through moments of stillness, play and reflection.

More info on the event can be found here.

Read more on InformationNow about the NewBridge Project.

NEW AND UPDATED ON INFONOW

Newcastle City Learning

Newcastle City Learning is your local authority post-16 learning provider, and part of Newcastle City Council. They offer courses for adults, programmes for young people, apprenticeships and employer responsive provision.

They have learning centres at Westgate College and the Skills Centre, the Heaton Centre, and Gosforth Library.

Their adult learning programmes include

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
• Programmes for adults with learning difficulties
• English and maths
• Digital skills

And more.

Read more on InformationNow about Newcastle City Learning.

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 English language learning, and support asylum seekers in accessing help with housing, legal support and other services.

Read more on InformationNow about Action Foundation.

Last updated: July 3, 2026