This is a warm, caring and kind place to be because:

N.E.S.T

To improve the emotional, heath and wellbeing through use of creative activities to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Providing strategies that women can use to improve their own emotional wellbeing.

This is aimed at women who are isolated, struggling with their emotional health or wanting to build confidence and make friends.

Local charity Children North East are running the SAFE programme, which offers counselling to victims of sexual abuse aged 5 to 18 (

Northern Cultural Projects fosters community development through inclusive, participatory cultural projects.

For more information please contact Silvie Fisch on 0753 7106950 or email silvie.fisch@northernculturalprojects.org

SVP Deaf Centre is a charity providing care, comfort and compassion for disadvantaged families and individuals within the community, both non-hearing and hearing alike. As the centre is part of the wider organisation of St Vincents de Paul, we embody SVP values while also having a unique focus on bettering the lives of those who have experience of deafness

The North East Autism Society run a Family Networking Group, a closed group on Facebook which aims to empower, educate and connect parents, families and carers by: 

• Increasing knowledge

• Sharing useful information 

• Connecting people   

You can find out more here: Family Networking - North East Autism Society

At Changing Lives we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their potential. We are experts in working with people experiencing the most challenging of circumstances, providing holistic support to help people to go on to lead happy, fulfilling lives. We work across four – often interconnected – areas to address the most common causes of social exclusion and long-term deprivation:

• Housing and Homelessness,
• Recovery and Wellbeing,
• Women and Children,
• Employment and Training.

We are a North East based disability sport charity. We offer many sport sessions for people with special educational needs or disabilities, including:

• SEND Activity Sessions (8-19 years old)

• Adult Adapted Cycling Session

• Adult Sport and Social Session

• Boccia Session (all ages) 

• And more! 

To find and book a session, click here: What’s On – Smile Through Sport

The harm reduction service delivers a range of open access and confidential support for drug and alcohol users. You can access support such as needle and syringe exchange, nursing support, blood-borne virus testing, and access to naloxone.  You will also get lots of advice or information, and the staff will work with other services to support your needs.   

There are other needle exchange services in the city, including pharmacy exchanges, and the exchange at the Joseph Cowan Health Centre.  

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company provides accessible opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people to express themselves creatively, and to develop their skills, confidence, independence and social connections.

Our weekly Performing Arts and Music academies are for people with Learning disabilities and autistic people, aged 16 and over.

Whether you want to  DJ at our club night, act on stage, or perform in a live band, our Academies can help you to achieve your goals.

Gosforth Civic Theatre is an arts venue, café and community hub in Gosforth, and is home to, and run by, Liberdade Community Development Trust.

We opened Gosforth Civic Theatre in 2016, and in 2019 we hosted more than 900 events and activities, and invited over 50,000 people through our doors. In the words of Ozzy, one of our founding members, we opened the theatre because; 

The Mental Shift CIC works to provide support, education, and early intervention to young men to support with their mental health, reduce involvement anti-social behaviour, and improve quality of live. 

Through bespoke services which use Martial Arts as the driving force for change, we work with males aged 12 to 25 in Newcastle and beyond - including Gateshead, County Durham, Byker, and Elswick. 

Where Does It Take Place?

At Gosforth Civic Theatre's Café Bar.

Who Is It For? 

Young people with learning disabilities and autism aged between 16-24 years old 

How Does It Work? 

Useful Vision is a service for visually impaired children around the North East. We provide positive opportunities and jam-packed events. Our support for children and families helps them to flourish.

Our activities and services can help children learn new skills and make new friends – reducing social isolation through increased confidence and self-esteem.

You can register your child for support from Useful Vision and to be able to attend events. 

The Chronicle Sunshine Fund is a local North East charity. We provide specialist and adapted equipment to children aged 0-19 living with disabilities, additional needs, chronic and terminal illness. 

We can help you get equipment that is not available from Newcastle City Council or the NHS. It can make a big different to the daily life of your child, as well as your family. 

You can learn more about applying for equipment by visiting this page.

Contact is the UK charity for families with disabled children. They support families, bring families together and help families take action for others. They give support through: