The Regional Communication Aid Service is based at Walkergate Park and is a specialist Electronic Assistive Technology Service.  Our service aims to improve the independence of people of all ages who experience severe communication difficulties through the provision of specialised services for Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Aids.  We support local teams in working with individuals to understand their AAC needs; and in providing specialised communication aids.

The Richardson Eating Disorder Intensive Day Service is a specialist service based at Benfield House, Walkergate Park Hospital in Newcastle, which provides comprehensive assessment and treatment for eating disorders. All patients referred into the day service need to have had a comprehensive assessment from The Richardson Eating Disorder Service or the Northern Centre for Eating Disorders.

Who is the Intensive Day Service for?

The service is for men and women aged 18 and over living in the northern and southern part of the North East of England.

The Richardson Eating Disorder Service (REDS) is a specialist tertiary service, located in Newcastle upon Tyne, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment for adults with moderate and severe eating disorders in North East England.  REDS provides treatment for males and females and has outpatient, intensive day hospital and inpatient services.

The Social, Therapeutic and Recreational Rehabilitation Team (STARRT), based at Walkergate Park  in Newcastle, provides social and recreational rehabilitation to inpatients in Walkergate Park.  STARRT work to promote independence and increase quality of life through taking part in social and leisure activities.  The team consists of a Nurse Team Lead and  qualified nursing staff, as well as activities facilitators and volunteers.

The Children and Young People’s Service provides a single service to all children and young people aged 0-18 years living in Newcastle and Gateshead who present with mental health difficulties.

This includes children and young people who may be living in difficult and challenging circumstances.

Click here to read more and download a wealth of resources to help support you.

Ferndene is based at the former Prudhoe Hospital site and provides regional and national Tier 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for children and young people between the ages of 13 and 18. Tier 4 CAMHS are for patients with more complex needs usually requiring inpatient treatment. Ferndene has three wards (Redburn, The Riding and Fraser) providing a total of 28 beds.

A four bed unit providing Psychiatric Intensive Care.

16 bedded neuro-psychiatry unit for assessment and treatment of neuro-psychiatric consequences of brain injury acquired in adult life and regional service for the assessment, diagnosis and management of Huntington’s disease.

We are a team of Consultant Psychiatrists, Mental Health Nurses and Junior Doctors, specialised in the assessment and treatment of adults with mental health needs admitted to the Acute Trust, covering RVI, Freeman and Cherryburn at Campus for Ageing and Vitality.

We are based at Richardson Unit, Leazes Wing, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP.  Our working hours are 24 hours, 7 days a week.

We can offer bespoke training and education for wards and groups of clinicians.

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

Our vital service is available at no cost to families. Rainbow Trust is a charity, relying almost entirely on voluntary donations and the generosity of the public to deliver support.

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity supports families who have a child aged 0-18 years with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

We are a warm, caring and kind place because:

• We offer small group work and activities
• Parents/carers can discuss individual needs prior to visiting

Newcastle’s children’s emergency department (A&E) is at the Royal Victoria Infirmary

We have a specially designed area for children and young people who need immediate care for every kind of injury and illness you can think of.

We are a registered charity set up in 1990 in Newcastle upon Tyne, at a time when the North East had the worst levels of child health in the country (Government report Health of the Nation 1990).

Learning for Life is a registered charity and Northeast provider of education and social care services for children and adults aged 16 plus who have a diverse range of complex needs and disabilities. 

Liberdade provide performing arts and health and well-being courses for adults with learning disabilities and autism. Activities are run from Gosforth Civic Theatre

Our arts and health activities can be part of a study programme for post-16 SEN students. They can also be an alternative to social and further education for students leaving college.

The Lawnmowers is a theatre-arts company in Gateshead run by and for people with learning difficulties. Founded in 1986, it became an independent company in 2000 to promote community cohesion. The Lawnmowers has produced 14 full shows, hundreds of performances, workshops, films, TV appearances, and accessible information.

Northern Stage is a theatre in Newcastle City Centre, very close to Haymarket. You can enjoy plays, dance, comedy and musicals on all of our three stages.

We have family shows throughout the year and at Christmas we have two magical shows one for under 5s and one for over 5s. 

Our Story

Daisy Chain provides a range of support services to autistic children and adults, either with a diagnosis or who are undergoing the diagnostic process, their parents/carers and their siblings.

Daisy Chain began life in 2003 as the dream of its founder, Lesley Hanson, whose son Jacob was diagnosed as autistic at an early age.

Youth Link Newcastle is for young people living with a disability or additional needs. It matches young people to a peer mentor.  They can help with working towards a goal and overcoming challenges. 

The service is available to young people living in a Newcastle Postcode, aged from 11 to 18.

Some examples of how a peer mentor could help you include:

Specialist Rehabilitation Services

The Children’s Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury and neurodisability. We deliver rehabilitation, education and community services through skilled teams who work with children and young people, and their families.

Designability is a national charity that enables disabled people to live with greater independence.

Introducing Wizzybug!

Wizzybug is a fun, innovative powered wheelchair provided FREE of charge to young children in the UK by Designability, a charity based in Bath.

Who is Wizzybug designed for?

Be kind to your mind

There are small things we can all do to help be kind to your mind, and these can make a big difference to how we feel.

Get expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing and make them part of your daily routine.

Newcastle Vision Support, formerly Newcastle Society for Blind People, was first established in 1867 and has been supporting visually impaired and blind people in Newcastle for 150 years.

This May Help, is a new national initiative providing mental health advice to parents and carers. This May Help is aimed at parents and carers who may have concerns about their child’s mental health and is part funded by the Quality Improvement Taskforce for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Inpatient Services.

Newcastle Trampoline Park and Gym is located in the west end of Newcastle, providing excellent sport and leisure facilities for the local community.   As well as a great gym which features a great range of Technogym equipment, we have a separate women only gym and the studios offer a great choice of fitness classes including Group Cycling. With new Technogym bikes recently added come along and give them a try. For children the centre boasts one of the newest Soft Play structures in Newcastle.