Pathways 4 All is a parent-led charity, providing leisure services for children and young people with disabilities/ additional needs (0-25 years old). Our primary service is a specialist play and activity provision, the Tim Lamb Centre (in the grounds of the Rising Sun County Park, Benton). Our centre is open to families from across the North East region.

What is the service?

NHS England has developed an in school eyecare service for all children in special schools across England.

The service will enable every child to get the most from their vision, including sight test, and the dispensing and fitting of glasses – all completed on the school premises.

Why the need?

This is important because:

The Visual Impairment Additionally Resourced Provision (VIARP) for severely sight impaired (SSI) and sight impaired (SI) pupils is centrally funded by Newcastle City Council. Some of the pupils from neighbouring local authorities can also be placed in the VIARP.

The VIARP is staffed by one Qualified Teacher of Visual Impairment and two specialist Learning Support Assistants.

It is a fully inclusive provision and pupils with VI are included within mainstream classes with support from VIARP staff. This support includes -

The Visual Impairment Additionally Resourced Provision (VIARP) for severely sight impaired (SSI) and sight impaired (SI) pupils is centrally funded by Newcastle City Council. Some of the pupils from neighbouring local authorities can also be placed in the VIARP.

The VIARP is staffed by one Qualified Teacher of Visual Impairment and two specialist Learning Support Assistants.

It is a fully inclusive provision and pupils with VI are included within mainstream classes with support from VIARP staff. This support includes -

West End Women and Girls Centre is the first and only open access, community based women and girls centre in Newcastle, we aim to build the power of women and girls, who have been and continue to be disenfranchised. We seek to drive positive change in the world, our community and in women and girls lives.

We do this through group work where women and girls have the opportunity to meet, have fun, learn skills, look at issues relevant their lives and generally build confidence in a safe and supportive environment.

Family Advice and Support Team at Skills for People

Services Offered:

Skills for People helps disabled children and adults and their families to be in control and to have better lives. We also work with children with special educational needs.

We offer help with planning, meeting other disabled people and their families, advocacy, advocacy groups, social activities, self help meetings and individual development. We work with people who have an individual budget and those who do not.

Help and Connect is a service offered by Skills for People.

If you live in Newcastle upon Tyne and are aged 16 or over, our Help and Connect team can help you to get your support right and to make the most of what’s going on in your area.

What does Help and Connect offer?

Our team will help you make the most of the information we have. You can find out about:

Children North East exists because growing up can be hard. We want all babies, children and young people to be happy and healthy and to grow up feeling: 

• Safe and loved

• Resilient to the challenges they may face

• Valued and confident  

We have a strong children’s rights ethos and believe that real social change is achieved when those who are, or have, experienced issues lead the change.  

Nystagmus Network is a charity that helps people with nystagmus, a condition where the eyes move uncontrollably. They offer many services to support families and children with nystagmus.

Support Services

Retina UK is the national charity for families living with inherited retinal dystrophies. We fund research and provide information and support to those affected by inherited sight loss and the professionals who support them.

We support anyone with the following visual impairments: Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Rod Cone dystrophy, Cone Rod dystrophy, Choroideremia, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease.

The Access Fund is a grant to help disabled children and young people to participate in activities in their local community.  This can be any daytime, evening or weekend activity that the child or young person enjoys whilst their parent/carer has a break from caring.   The Access Fund seeks to support children and young people to take part in inclusive activities alongside their non- disabled peers.

EDNE aims to help people in Tyneside, Wearside, Northumberland and County Durham whose lives are affected by eating distress, or eating disorders. We do this by providing a range of services including individual counselling, mindfulness courses, a support group for carers, health topic workshops, information and training. We also work in schools and other settings to increase knowledge and awareness of eating distress and its effects.

Sporting Chance is a local community organisation. We aim to overcome some of the barriers young people may face and we strive to provide a holistic service to all our members. 

Who can use the service?

We deliver to anyone living in Newcastle:

• Who is unable to visit their local library due to either permanent or temporary ill health

• Who has caring responsibilities

• Who has a permanent disability

How to apply

Contact us by phone on 0191 278 7878 or by email to kenton.library@newcastle.gov.uk

The Alan Shearer Activity Centre is the only one of its kind in the North East offering free recreational, sensory and social facilities for disabled children and adults, their families, schools and groups.

To use our free facilities, you first need to become a member of the centre - which is also free - and you can join by downloading an application form from our websidewebsite: www.alanshearercentre.org.uk or by ringing the centre.

Situated within the Alan Shearer Centre, our specialist home offers residential accommodation for adults with profound and multiple disabilities, offering longer term, safe and nurturing care and support. In addition, our disabled residents have full access to the on-site Activity Centre.

If you would like to see our facilities, meet the staff and discuss your individual needs, Sarah will be happy to arrange a visit. You can also speak to Sarah if you would like to enquire about a place or find out details on the referral process and the criteria for admission.

Take a look at Gosforth Academy's website to learn more about the school. 

The school has a resource provision for children and young people with visual impairments. Click here to find out more: Visual Impairment Additionally Resourced Provision

Provides dental care for pre-school children, school children, those with special needs, learning disabilities, medical problems or severe anxiety and any other clients who are unable to find a dentist.  

Clinics are available at Arthur's Hill Clinic (check website), Kenton Health Centre, Molineux Street NHS Centre and Walker Centre. You can contact the service directly.

The community dental department provides a full range of dental treatment for patients who are residents of Newcastle and who fit one or more of the following criteria:

Are you aged 18-25 and looking after someone who needs help and support? 

If you are caring for someone who cannot manage without your support and you're not employed to do this, then you are a young adult carer. Anyone can become a carer at any point in their life. We're here to listen and support you.

Supporting your Independence

We provide a range of information, advice and support services relating to all aspects of disability. Our quality advice and support is free*, confidential and impartial. We also work to support carers and those working within the health and social care system.

Click here to find out more: Independent Living – Disability North

*There is a charge for some of our Direct Payment/payroll Support Services

Founded in 2005 through a partnership between The FA and UEFA Hat-Trick delivers around 70 sessions each week to people in Newcastle upon Tyne and now in Gateshead.

We support the young people to reach their full potential by providing opportunities to participate in positive activities that offer training, qualifications & leadership. We work across the city of Newcastle and borough of Gateshead in areas of high deprivation, the top 10 percent of most deprived neighbourhoods  across the country. 

Our Tuesday Club is for young people with disabilities. They can stay active, make friends, and have fun. It helps them feel less alone and happier.

The club runs for two hours. There are sports and games for everyone. There is also a quiet area for relaxing.

A healthy tea is given at the club. This helps everyone stay healthy and feel good.

If interested email Hannah@smileforlife.org.uk