Are you 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 carer. Anyone can become a carer at any point in their life. We're here to listen and support you.

Newcastle Carers is an independent charity supporting adults, children, and young people who look after someone living in Newcastle upon Tyne. Our services are free, confidential and non-judgemental, helping carers find ways to make their caring situation easier to manage.

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.

Geordie Mums is a self-advocacy, social and supportive group for Mums with a learning disability and autistic Mums.

The group meets once a month, on a Wednesday morning.

The group always welcomes new members. To find out more, or to talk about joining the group, please get in touch by phone or email. 

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

For brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults

Sibs is a UK charity for siblings who may be finding it hard to cope with a brother or sister who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long term condition.

It is the only UK charity representing the needs of over half a million young siblings and over one and a half million adult siblings.

Sibs can give information and advice both over the phone and online. Sibs also runs YoungSibs, an online only support service for siblings in the UK aged 7 to 17. 

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.

This Facebook group is for local parents of disabled children and young people.  Once you join you can ask other parents about problems you are having and where to get help and share your experiences with one another. 

This page also provides information on activities happening locally including coffee mornings and drop in events.

To find out what is happening, check out the flyers featured on their Facebook group and socials:

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.

Come along to these friendly coffee mornings. These are for parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Have a nice cup of tea or coffee, and chat with other parents.  You can also find out about what support is available in Newcastle. 

There are several coffee mornings that take place once a month in Newcastle. See the 2025 summer timetable below for upcoming coffee mornings:

Click offers relationship support for help with building trust, parenting together or apart, support children with additional needs, sex and intimacy, recovering from lies, or cheating, break ups and much more.

Our relationships affect every aspect of our lives. To learn how to make yours work better, create a free account – share questions and stories with the community, try fun and helpful activities, or get private support from a Click listener.

Run by the NSPCC, Childline is a free, private and confidential service where children and young people under the age of 19.  This includes those with additional needs or disabilities.  You can talk to a counsellor about any issue they’re facing.

Online, on the phone, anytime.

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

Does your child have a special educational need or disability?

Come to our support group. It’s a friendly place for parents and carers to chat and get advice.

• Get advice from professionals.

• Talk to other parents and carers.

• Share ideas.

This group meets on the first Monday of every month. 

No need to book - just turn up.

NEAS Newcastle Autism Hubs are a supportive environment for parents and carers of autistic children. Currently these hubs offer:

• one-to-one sessions where families can discuss any issues in confidence

• workshops designed to help parents understand and support their autistic children. 

The workshops cover topics such as common misconceptions, differences in autistic children, and practical strategies for everyday life.