Disability North

Disability North provides independent information and advice for disabled people, their families, friends and carers. They can support you:

• to find and buy equipment that can make life easier
• when preparing to leave hospital
• with direct payment support to manage your personal budget
• with disability related benefit advice: they can help you to apply for benefits, make an appeal if needed and represent you at tribunals
• to recruit and employ Personal Assistants and other care roles. They offer a full payroll service
• with community care advice
• to buy a radar key for accessible toilets

At their Dene Centre in Gosforth you can visit to see their:

• equipment showroom and demonstration area: You can try out a range of accessible items for kitchen, bathroom and shower.
• The LiveEasy Shop to see and buy stairlifts, walkers, risers, wheelchairs, shoes and more.
• accessible gym facility. Ability North Project which is a 3 week health and fitness programme for disabled people.
• community activities and groups such as Age UK Gateshead, and A Time 2 Talk

Organisations can get help to:

• check the accessibility of your venue: They can create a personalised report with recommendations of ways you can make your venue more accessible and inclusive. Speak to them about their Disability Access Audits and Consultancy Service.
• train staff and volunteers in disability inclusion: They can design and deliver personalised workshops and training for your organisation

This is a designated Safe Reporting Centre where people can report hate crime or hate incidents without having to contact the Police directly.

Disability North is a Wellbeing Hub. They’re a warm welcoming place to spend time in Newcastle. They offer a range of support such as hot drinks, free WIFI, place to charge your devices, information, advice and more. Visit Newcastle.gov.uk to see what’s available at this hub.

Disability North is commissioned by Newcastle City Council to provide the Direct Payment Support Service. They provide independent information, advice and practical help for Adults, children or carers to choose and manage direct payments.