Last updated 8th August 2023

With any caring role, it is important to take short breaks and to break up constant routines when you can. To give you a little inspiration, we have made a list of local carer-friendly groups, activities, and opportunities between July and September. These include opportunities for people caring for children and the elderly. Please click on the activity name for more information from the event organiser.

If you have a carer-friendly event or opportunity you would like to share, please contact us and let us know!

Contents

• Tailored Activities for Older People
• Disability-Friendly Activities for Children
• Activities for all carers
• Where to find more activities

Tailored Activities for Older People

Activity	Where	Organised By	Notes
Tyne Travelers Short Walks Group	Various destinations across Gateshead	Age UK Gateshead	Mondays, call Age UK Gateshead for more information. 0191 477 3559
Lunches and Activities	Teams and Bensham Community Care	Teams and Bensham Community Care	Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Mid-Morning to Mid-Afternoon with door-to-door minibus transportation available.
Never too Old to Rock	Gateshead 50+, Deckham	Gateshead 50+	Mondays 5:30 - 7:30pm
Over 50s Exercise Classes	Across Gateshead	Gateshead 50+	A wide range of activities, in-person and online.
Friendship Groups for Over 50s	Across Gateshead	Age UK Gateshead	Lots of activities and day trips available.

---

Disability-Friendly Activities for Children

Activity	Where	Organised By	Notes
SEND Family Swimming Sessions	Dunston, and Heworth Leisure Centres	Gateshead Council	Dunston: Saturdays 4:30pm - 5:30pm Heworth: Sundays 4pm - 6pm
Sensory Room	The Baltic	The Baltic	Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 6pm.
National Autism-Friendly Cinema Screenings	UK-Wide, including local cinemas.	Dimensions	Lots of upcoming autism-friendly cinema screenings.

---

Activities for all Carers

Activity	Where	Organised By	Notes
Carer Café	Gateshead Carers	Gateshead Carers	Last Wednesday of the month, 9:30am - 1:30pm. Come along, chat, and enjoy a cuppa with other carers.
Online Carer Café	Online via Zoom	Gateshead Carers	Wednesdays, 2pm - 3pm Chat with other local carers over video call via Zoom.
Dementia Caregivers Group	Leam Lane Community Centre	Leam Lane Community Centre	Fortnightly on Wednesdays: 1-3pm. A group for people who care for someone with Dementia to come together and take a break from their caring role.
Men's Shed Groups	Blaydon Library, Boldon Colliery, and Jarrow; plus more across the UK	Men's Shed	For men over 18. A wide range of things to do and get involved with.
Crafting Projects and Workshops	Handcrafted Gateshead; The Shakespeare - Deckham	Handcrafted Gateshead	Crafting, woodwork, and more creative activities and mental health support.
Courses and Workshops	Across Gateshead and Newcastle	Re-Co-Co	Lots of opportunities to learn about your own health and wellbeing. Page 36 in Re-Co-Co's Autumn 2023 Prospectus.
Drop-Ins and Groups	Across Gateshead and Newcastle	Re-Co-Co	Lots of mindfulness groups to get involved with. Page 50 in Re-Co-Co's Autumn 2023 Prospectus.

Where to find more activities

There's lots more going on in Gateshead than what's on our lists above. Here are some websites to check out if you're looking for more local activities.

• Brighten the Day by Gateshead Council has lots of summer activities for families.
• OurGateshead brings together loads of opportunities, activities, and organisations from across the borough.
• Gateshead Local Offer contains lots of useful information for supporting children with a disability, including an events calendar.