OUR PEOPLE I OUR PLACES I OUR ECONOMY I OUR PARTNERS

Celebrating brilliant volunteers See page 4 for how volunteers have played a pivotal role in supporting our most vulnerable residents.

Out and about We’ve got some great ideas for things to do right across NorthTyneside the borough this summer on pages 5-7. SUMMER 2021 www.northtyneside.gov.uk NTCouncilTeam

More awards for our stunning beaches.

See page 11.

Support for businesses, employment and skills Pages 15-24: How we are working to support local businesses and people seeking a new job or training opportunity. Plus local business advertising. Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer

Sign up for local news direct to your inbox We are launching a digital version of Our North Tyneside soon. The monthly newsletter will include local news, events and opportunities for you to have your say. To subscribe, please opt in at my.northtyneside.gov.uk/newsletter. We will continue to deliver the printed magazine to every household three times a year.

COVID-19: Please continue to Get your vaccine when follow the latest safety guidance you’re offered it

Which test should I use? Self-isolation checklist

If you have symptoms: If you receive a positive test result, or are • High temperature identified as a close contact, you will be asked • A new, continuous cough to self-isolate at a moment's notice. Make sure you’re • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste prepared in advance:

You and everyone you live with must immediately self- • Medication: Do you know how to order any medication isolate. Book a free PCR test at either The Parks in North online or by phone, or can someone bring it to your Shields or the Coronation Street car park test site in home? Are you already registered with your local Wallsend, open 8am – 8pm. Or order a PCR test kit to be pharmacy for prescription delivery? sent to your home by calling 119. (DO NOT use a lateral flow device/test if you have any symptoms.) • Food: Most online delivery slots book up days in advance – do you have a friend or neighbour who could If you do not have any symptoms: bring a shop to your house?

Lateral flow device testing (LFD/LFT) is a fast and simple • Pets: Do you have a dog that will need walking? way to test people who do not have symptoms, but who may Have you already asked a friend or neighbour if they still be spreading the virus. Everyone can access free tests would be able to take this on? via: • Homeschooling: Do you have everything you need at • On-site testing, or collect LFD testing kits: Available at home to homeschool your children (if you have The Riverside Centre, Minton Lane, North Shields, children/they are at school), or if not, do you know who to NE29 6DQ. Book an on-site test and check opening contact who could help? hours online, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk and click in the ‘coronavirus’ section. • Homeworking: Do you have everything you need to work from home if you are able to? If not, do you know • Pharmacy collect: Find your nearest participating who to contact at work who could help? pharmacy at https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/ • Caring: Do you care for someone such as a friend, • Postal kits: Order online at www.gov.uk/order- neighbour, relative? Have you made alternative coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or call 119 and these arrangements for them to be cared for? If you need will be delivered to your home. support with this, please contact North Tyneside Carers’ Centre: www.northtynesidecarers.org.uk If you have been identified as a close contact of a positive case and are told to self-isolate, the advice is to • Exercise: You must not leave your home for exercise take a PCR test. Close contacts are being advised to take a either – can you exercise in your home or garden PCR test, to find more cases quickly and identify any close instead? Perhaps try some of the workouts from our contacts to contain the virus. (Do not use a LFD/LFT test if Active North Tyneside team – find out more on its you have any symptoms.) Facebook page.

• If you test negative – continue isolating. A negative test • A helping hand: For those needing to self-isolate and result does not completely rule out infection, so you must who can’t call on family and friends, the council will continue to isolate and follow national guidance. provide support for the 10-day isolation period. Contact our COVID-19 Support Hub, see page 4 for • If you test positive – start 10-day isolation again from details. day of test.

2 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE A message from the Elected Mayor

proud of the role the council has played in proposals to improve cycling and transport helping them to do so, with support from links, to wide-ranging plans to improve many wonderful voluntary organisations. North Shields town centre and the Fish Quay, plus plans to invest in Killingworth While the Delta variant caused us a Lake. Turn to pages 8 and 9 to find out setback, the council, along with our more. partners, responded and acted quickly and exceptionally well. Thousands of We are here to serve you, our residents, residents took part in surge testing and businesses and visitors and you can residents were vaccinated in their droves. read our customer promise on page 26. I would once again like to applaud and The council is determined that the Thank you to all our amazing vaccination teams, thank you all for your perseverance and borough not only recovers from the including the many volunteers. This photo was support in what was another challenging pandemic, but builds back stronger – taken at the Oxford Centre in Longbenton. period. where local businesses and high streets thrive; our children and young people It has been truly heart-warming to see While vaccine take up is high in the continue to receive an outstanding our communities come together once borough, we continue to need everyone education and families flourish; great again to celebrate family life, who is eligible to come forward for their care is offered to those who need it; and friendships, bustling businesses, and vaccination to afford themselves, their deprivation is tackled and inequalities being able to embrace activities which family, friends, and communities the are reduced. were previously accepted as normal maximum protection. before the pandemic, but which we now We are also committed to making sure the value more than ever. I know the easing of restrictions hasn’t borough continues to be clean, safe and been easy for everyone and people have well-maintained. I’m also delighted in this Hearing about friends and families reunited felt apprehensive, especially those who edition to share with you on page 13 our after months apart and people enjoying have been shielding. Our COVID-19 latest work to make North Tyneside a those ‘little’ things again has been Support Hub, with an abundance of more sustainable borough – something wonderful – friends catching up over a support from VODA and many other which my Cabinet and I are very coffee; grandparents spending time with voluntary organisations, has continued to passionate about. Visitors to our beautiful grandchildren; families having fun in our help people as they took tentative steps to coast can now refill their water bottles parks and open spaces; and residents and navigate North Tyneside and further afield from fantastic water fountains dotted visitors enjoying all of our brilliant local after lockdown. The Support Hub also along the coastline, with more on the way businesses once more. continues to be available for those who for other areas of the borough soon. are having to self-isolate (see page 4). Thank you for your extraordinary efforts, There are many reasons to be excited for the sacrifices you’ve made and for Our brilliant businesses have also the future and I look forward to continuing following the guidance to allow this to adapted exceptionally well too. Many to share them with you. happen. The enthusiasm to show kindness have innovatively used outdoor areas to one another has been nothing short of while, more recently, also made sure their Thank you for your continued support, it is remarkable. indoor space is COVID-secure. In this very much appreciated. edition, on pages 15 to 20, we are I’m sure many of you will join me in pleased to have once again offered free extending a huge thank you to our advertising space for local businesses to wonderful NHS, which has successfully promote their services. delivered the biggest vaccination programme in its history and enabled us to You can also read the latest update on our Norma Redfearn CBE have more freedoms again. I am extremely ambitious plans for the borough – from Elected Mayor of North Tyneside

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 3 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer

Read about local Queen’s Award for Celebrating brilliant Voluntary Service winners on volunteers page 38. The pandemic brought unparalleled and I have been humbled by their change and challenges to everyone – dedication and enthusiasm. across all walks of life – but the community spirit shone in the borough “I continue to hear about acts of kindness COVID-19 and was a beacon of light during the and compassion every day and it fills me most difficult of times. with so much pride and gratitude.” Support Hub

Volunteers have played a pivotal role in We continue to invite nominations for the providing practical help to our most Spirit of North Tyneside and want to hear vulnerable residents, befriending those at about any story, no matter how big or The council’s safety net of support risk of isolation and becoming champions small, so that we can give our residents remains in place for those who in their communities to share vital an opportunity to thank anyone who has need it. Since the beginning of the information, as well as supporting the helped them during the pandemic. Find pandemic, the local authority has NHS in the delivery of the vaccination – out more at www.northtyneside.gov.uk. helped thousands of residents and they continue to do so. through its COVID-19 Support There are many inspirational stories Hub. Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE about volunteers, including these from said: “Volunteers have generously offered our friends at local voluntary organisation It continues to be available for those their time, given immeasurable service VODA. who are self-isolating, either because they’ve been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or have MD Mominul Hamid tested positive themselves. Law student, NUS delegate, asylum seeker and volunteer MD believes in following his mother’s legacy: “Be there for your Self-isolation is vital in helping to community and be there for your people and something good will minimise the spread of coronavirus, happen in return” and as a result he recently won ‘The Extra Mile so it’s really important people do so. Award’ in the National Societies and Volunteering Awards. Alongside his other volunteering and trustee roles, MD has With help from the community and regularly volunteered at the local COVID-19 vaccination centres voluntary sector, businesses and an and, along with fellow volunteers, brings a sense of community army of volunteers, the council has and fun to the sessions they attend: provided non-clinical help through Sherrill Bacchus the hub to those who are unable to Sherrill started off helping with prescription deliveries and food call on others for support. shopping via Good Neighbours for people who were high risk and self-isolating. She then progressed to becoming a volunteer driver A lifeline to many, it has included for the Family Gateway and working in the Howdelicious café at help with grocery shopping, the Howdon hub. She also helps out there in the kitchen to make up the free meals that are delivered to vulnerable families. household supplies, picking up Sherrill said the charity is doing amazing work and she finds it so prescriptions and purchasing pet rewarding personally to know she’s able to help people. food. The team have also made regular welfare calls for those who Kerry White would like one. Kerry is one of VODA’s amazing Good Neighbours walking

buddies, who has been working hard to help her fellow North Tynesiders during the pandemic. However, she did not start out as It is also still available for those who a volunteer, but instead she herself was on the receiving end of are classed as clinically extremely support from another of the Good Neighbours’ team. Her vulnerable to the virus for the coming experiences of receiving this support inspired Kerry to sign up to months, despite shielding ending help others. earlier in the year.

Call 0345 2000 101 or email [email protected] Find out more about volunteering for details. opportunities at www.voda.org.uk

4 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE All details are correct at the time of going to print. Please check event information closer to the time and before making your journey. All events are subject to government guidance. What’s On www.visitnorthtyneside.com

The Great North Bike Ride Stephenson Steam Railway Segedunum Roman Fort & Tynemouth

Museum, Wallsend 29 August 30th Anniversary Gala, 9 - 11 July: A sponsored ride for the Chris Lucas Featuring guest locomotives running Take a Closer Look: An exhibition Trust, from Seahouses to Tynemouth. alongside our home fleet engines. of photographs that look at some of www.greatnorthbikeride.com Organised by the North Tyneside the finer decoration or texture of

Steam Railway (NTSR), in association objects on view in the museum (open with Stephenson Steam Railway/Tyne daily, charges apply). Heritage Open Days & Wear Archives & Museums. Entry is 10 - 19 September free, subject to capacity restrictions. Outdoor Adventure Game: Escape Venues across North Tyneside will open Tickets required for train rides. room-style game, played in the their doors for free. www.stephensonsteamrailway.org.uk grounds. Assemble your team and www.heritageopendays.org.uk take on the challenge! (from 2 July). Heritage train rides are also available on Sundays, Bank Holiday Mondays www.segedunumromanfort.org.uk Whitley Bay Carnival Parade and Thursdays during school Whitley Bay Metro to Spanish City holidays. 18 September, 4pm – 5pm Cirque du Hilarious Extravagant costumes, flags of hope, Photo credit: NELPG Beaconsfield, Tynemouth giant structures, families, artists and 11 - 30 August musicians all exploring ‘26 ways to green’. Slapstick superstars and panto legends Produced by SALTo Arts Productions in Danny Adams and Clive Webb return to partnership with Whitley Bay Big Local the coast for more family fun. Creative Civic Change, North Tyneside www.cirqueduhilarious.co.uk Council with support from Arts Council England, Big Lottery and local businesses. Spanish City Summer Fun Fair Whitley Bay Carnival The Links, Whitley Bay Tynemouth Beach Volleyball 12 - 16 August Great North Wheelchair Line Up Tournament The annual family fun fair returns. 19 September Tynemouth Longsands The Links, Whitley Bay 17 - 18 July Mouth of the Tyne Aquathlon Join the attempt to make a World Record All welcome. Two-a-side on Saturday and Tynemouth Haven with the longest wheelchair line up. four-a-side on Sunday. 15 August, from 7.30am Great North Wheelchair Line Up www.tynemouthbeachvolleyball.co.uk Entry now open for this event, set in the

shadow of Tynemouth Priory. Feast by the Sea Mouth of the Tyne Aquathlon Tynemouth Food Festival Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay Tynemouth Priory and Castle 7 - 8 August / 11 - 12 September Book Fair 25 - 26 September A taste of the best street food traders. Tynemouth Station Street food from around the world, stalls, Feast by the Sea 15 August / 10 October, 10am to 4pm live music and entertainment for children. Books on all topics and genres. www.visitnorthtyneside.com Newcastle Falcons Touch Rugby www.tynemouthstationbookfair.co.uk Tynemouth Food Festival Tournament Tynemouth Longsands King Eddie’s Stairs Challenge 7 - 8 August King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth A quick, small sided, non-contact version 21 August of rugby for mixed teams. For details Be part of the team challenge and help to The Mouth of the Tyne Festival will call (0191) 214 2803 or email raise money for charity. [email protected] King Eddie’s Stairs Challenge return in 2022. International street entertainers will perform once again, Whitley Bay Sandcastle Crossing the Tyne Festival plus the usual fun at Tynemouth Competition Northumberland Square, North Shields Station. Outside Rendezvous Café 28 - 30 August 8 August, from 10am Some of the region’s best musicians will www.mouthofthetynefestival.com Bring your buckets and spades to test be performing. Mouth of the Tyne Festival your sandcastle-building abilities. Crossing the Tyne Festival

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 5

Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer

Book ahead for a sport-filled summer!

Taking part in sport can help your fitness and it’s also great fun! Outdoor sports facilities across the borough are open and ready to welcome you.

A Summer of Cycling North Tyneside Tennis The Summer of Cycling campaign Whether you want to perfect your aims to encourage everyone, no matter serve or just work towards getting it their age or ability, to explore the borough over the net, there are several tennis by pedal power. courts available across North Tyneside.

There’s been a huge uptake in cycling in North Tyneside as Souter Park, Richardson Dees Park and Crawford Park are a result of the pandemic, with residents taking advantage of all home to tennis courts residents can access free of the borough’s fantastic open spaces. charge. Please remember you are required to book any sessions you’d like to plan. For 2021 the Summer of Cycling is back with a bang and teams are working hard behind the scenes to organise If you’re looking for a challenge there’s the North Tyneside events, Bikeability training and inclusive cycling sessions. Tennis League, and if you’re a beginner there’s also free coached sessions available for adults and children aged Plus, we will be sharing advice for commuters, top tips on 12+ every Sunday. how to look after your bike and information on local cycle routes to explore. For more information and to book, visit www.northtynesidetennis.co.uk Keep an eye out on our social media for more details coming soon. You can also visit my.northtyneside.gov.uk/summer-of-cycling for Churchill Community information, plus advice on second-hand bikes and a Athletics Track recommended kit list. Refurbished in 2020 and used by one of the largest athletics clubs in the North East, Churchill Community Athletics Track in Whitley Bay is available to residents free of charge. Wellbeing Walks Have you used walking as a coping You’ll need to book in advance to attend, as access is mechanism during the pandemic? granted via a pin code, a new system implemented as part Have you realised how much you enjoy of the refurbishment.

getting out into the fresh air and exploring For enquiries, email [email protected] and to on foot? book visit www.clubspark.net/churchilltrack

Wellbeing walking groups are back, and with groups

organised for six days of the week you’re spoilt for choice. Groups meet right across the borough from Wallsend to Whitley Bay Mini Golf Whitley Bay, with routes that range from short and brisk to and Foot Golf the more challenging. With a scenic 9 and 18-hole pitch-and -putt golf course, a foot golf course and Friendly and qualified walk leaders will show you the way a 5-hole putting green on the award-winning and you can explore new places, turning your daily stroll North Tyneside coastline, this is the perfect summer day into a social event (some routes have allocated time at the out. end for a cuppa!) Booking is essential: call (0191) 643 7470, For more details, plus a wide range of self-led walking routes or email [email protected] from one to six miles, visit www.activenorthtyneside.gov.uk www.sportnorthtyneside.gov.uk

Please note: All activities will be subject to the latest coronavirus safety guidelines.

6 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Relax in our parks Free Our parks are beautiful places every Why not look out for volunteering single day of the year, but there’s sessions to help our wardens keep our something extra special about the parks looking their best? You can help holiday blaze of colour and warmer weather of out at Northumberland Park on 7 July, summer that make them the perfect 4 August and 1 September with tasks destination for a day out. like raking, clearing weeds, painting activities fences and resurfacing paths. Whether you want to just sit peacefully, Places are limited, please book online at discover a new walking route, or bring the www.northumberlandpark.eventbrite. family to play all day, there’s always com something different to discover. We can’t offer our usual programme of Bring a picnic with you, or enjoy tasty holiday activities, but please keep takeaway treats from our park cafés at checking park noticeboards and follow us the Rising Sun Countryside Centre, on social media for the latest updates. Richardson Dees Park in Wallsend and Northumberland Park in North Shields; Meanwhile, our wardens have picked plus during school holidays the coffee out some of their favourite summer kiosk at Killingworth Lakeside Park species that you can spot in our parks Children across North (all are open in line with safety guidance). this season. Tyneside can take advantage of a free programme of activities this summer, designed to help them stay healthy and active.

Backed by the Department for Education, more than 7,000 children who are eligible for free school meals can access free activities for four weeks, all of which Greenfinch Tree bumblebee include a healthy meal or snack!

The Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is open to all children in North Tyneside and is free to those who already receive free school meals.

More information will be issued to families through schools, or you can Painted Lady butterfly Swan with cygnets search ‘HAF’ on our website at www.northtyneside.gov.uk

Hawthorn blossom Knapweed

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 7 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer Ambition for North Tyneside

There are some major developments as part of our ambitious plans for the whole of North Tyneside.

There’s still time to have your say on Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) to Meanwhile, our ambitious plans for North proposals to improve cycling and expand the borough’s cycling network Shields and the Fish Quay are continuing transport links in and around North and transport improvements, to make it to develop, with investigation works Shields town centre. As part of our easier to use public transport and leave completed in and around Howard Street Ambition for North Shields and the Fish the car at home – helping us all do our bit ahead of the main works to improve the Quay master plan, we’re consulting on to make North Tyneside a greener place. historic area. plans for up to 6km of new cycling routes connecting to the planned new transport Options also include a ‘Dutch-style’ Work to demolish Unicorn House, a three- hub. roundabout, which includes zebra storey former office block on Suez Street crossings for pedestrians and a which has stood vacant for seven years, The routes include Tynemouth Road, dedicated cycle path around the is now getting underway. The building was Howard Street and Preston Road. You roundabout for cyclists, and would be purchased by the council in February and can also give us your views on a among the first of its kind in the country is set to make way for 28 family homes. proposed new ramped walkway between and the first in the North East. the town centre and Fish Quay. We have also been successful in You can find out more and have your say securing nearly £73,000 from Historic It comes after the council secured nearly at www.northtyneside.gov.uk (search England as part of the North Shields £1.6m from the Government’s Active ‘walking and cycling’). The consultation High Streets Heritage Action Zone Travel Fund (ATF) and £7m from the ends on 11 July. (HSHAZ), to create and deliver

A ‘Dutch-style’ roundabout includes zebra crossings for pedestrians and a dedicated cycle path

8 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Summer Reading Challenge

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge will be available online and in all North Tyneside libraries from Saturday 10 July. Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE was joined by representatives from the Rendezvous Café, the Links Gallery Café and Beach Access North East officially declare the improved Northern Promenade area open. Children can read whatever they like from our fantastic range of books, including eBooks and community-led cultural activities on the Visitors are also enjoying the recent eAudiobooks from our Borrowbox high street over the next three years. improvements to the area around the service. Rendezvous Café on the Northern The Cultural Programme in North Shields Promenade in Whitley Bay – another The theme for 2021 is ‘Wild World will bring together residents, local Ambition for North Tyneside project. Heroes’ and has been developed in community groups and established artists partnership with WWF UK. It is a to celebrate the uniqueness of the town. Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE celebration of reading, nature and action for the environment. Local people will help co-create and was joined by representatives from deliver a programme of high-quality the Rendezvous Café, the Links It’s free to take part and children workshops, oral history projects and public Gallery Café and Beach Access North collect stickers and rewards as they performances. The programme will East – who have new facilities there to read, with a medal and certificate culminate in a community-produced play store beach wheelchairs – to cut the when they complete the challenge. celebrating the history of the North Shields ribbon and officially declare the area There are plenty of activities and HSHAZ and its importance to commercial open. things to do on the Wild World and civic life. Heroes website too, at She said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to www.summerreadingchallenge. The master plan forms part of our see all the smiling faces among org.uk. Ambition for North Tyneside strategy, everyone out enjoying the new and which focuses on the needs of every part improved promenade and cafés. Children must be a library member of the borough and sets out how the It’s also great that the new storage to take part, ask at any library or council hopes to help shape North facilities are really benefiting those who visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk. Tyneside and make sure it is fit for the use the beach wheelchairs, which are future. absolutely vital to allow users to get out North Tyneside Libraries and enjoy the wonderful beach. @NorthTyneLibs As part of this, we are investing in Killingworth Lake to build on previous “I’m really delighted to see all these improvements to flood defences by fantastic things happening around the developing the facilities there to attract borough as part of our ambitious plans more visitors while preserving the ecology for North Tyneside and, after what has and landscape. been a really tough year or so, there are lots of reasons to be excited for the Work is due to begin in the coming months future.” to improve the play area, alongside some ecology and environmental improvements to the trees and vegetation.

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 9 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer Promising start for campaign

A new campaign urging people to help keep North Shields. Our teams have dealt with this promptly and we North Tyneside a great place to live, work and have taken further action to tackle litter by putting out more bins, visit is off to a promising start. issuing fines against offenders, and giving our marshals the power to issue fines as well. The ‘I promise’ campaign is an appeal for residents to support our frontline staff by disposing of rubbish correctly, cleaning up “We must all work together and make the effort to keep our town after their dogs, and reporting anti-social behaviour, flytipping, centres and our coastal areas clean and attractive. Doing so will and graffiti to the council or Police. not only improve everyone’s quality of life, but it will help our post-Covid recovery and give local businesses a lift. In return, the council promises to act swiftly to address local concerns. “We’ll be celebrating the collective efforts of our residents, businesses and partners, with regular updates on social media Between March and May, council officers issued 28 fixed penalty and on our website.” notices for littering, dog fouling and for dogs not under control; and extra marshals have also been appointed with new powers Anyone keen to get involved can find regular updates on the to tackle environmental offences. council’s social media channels, as well as news items celebrating the contribution of residents, businesses, and Our environmental hit squad removed nearly a tonne of rubbish partners. on a special clean-up day in North Shields town centre, while our street cleansing team gave the area a deep clean. You can report graffiti, fly-tipping, dog fouling and littering on the council website at www.northtyneside.gov.uk or call 0345 2000 Our teams are also busy installing 80 litter bins at hotspots in the 101. Anti-social behaviour can be reported to the council, or to borough and we’ve recruited an additional team to help with litter Northumbria Police by calling 101 (in an emergency dial 999). bin emptying this summer along the coast and Fish Quay.

Five extra CCTV cameras are also being installed to monitor parks and beaches for anti-social behaviour, and seasonal workers are being recruited to keep our local beauty spots clean and tidy, seven days a week.

The campaign is being led by the council, with the support of the Safer North Tyneside Partnership, Northumbria Police, Nexus, the Fire and Rescue Service and Home Housing Group.

Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “The campaign asks people to be personally responsible for their own actions and take pride in the borough by reporting any problems they see while out and about.

“Since we launched the campaign in March, we have already Members of the council’s street cleansing team, on duty in heard valuable information from local people drawing our North Shields attention to areas of concern such as flytipping incidents in

H TY North Tyneside in Bloom invites residents, As we continue to proceed with caution, this T N businesses, schools, and community groups year’s contest will also take place virtually and R E O S to showcase the dedication and hard work with six categories for gardens and outdoor N I that goes into maintaining their gardens and areas. D outdoor areas.

E If you took part last year, we will contact you I Last year the competition went ahead virtually, shortly. If you would like to register for updates, N allowing us to continue to celebrate our please email [email protected]. B L fantastic gardens and communal areas in North O O M Tyneside.

10 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE More awards for North Tyneside’s beaches Another year, another round of awards for North Tyneside’s beautiful beaches.

The Whitley Bay Community Clean Team Swimmers can be reassured by the is another group of residents working to presence of RNLI Beach Lifeguards on tackle littering in the town and surrounding our beaches until September 6. area, equipped with litter pickers and high- Whenever you are around water, whether viz vests provided by the council. it's a dip in the North Sea or a leisure centre swimming pool, there are some Annual summer restrictions are now in things you should always do: force. Dogs are not permitted at Cullercoats Bay and King Edward’s Bay, • Assess your surroundings and identify or the south end of Tynemouth Longsands any potential dangers and Whitley Bay, until September 30. • Stay together, there's safety in numbers so always stay with friends or Surfing at Tynemouth Longsands, one of three beaches in the borough to be awarded Dogs must also be kept on a lead when family a prestigious Blue Flag being walked on the promenades and all • Only consider swimming where/when these areas are clearly signposted. there is a lifeguard on duty King Edward’s Bay, Tynemouth • If you fall in, or begin to struggle when Longsands and Whitley Bay have once Councillor Sandra Graham, Cabinet in the water, stay calm and float on again been awarded Blue Flag status – Member for the Environment, said: “ your back the international gold standard for Our latest awards are a wonderful • If someone has fallen in, or is beaches – in addition to three more advertisement for our coastline and a struggling in the water, throw Seaside Awards, which recognise the credit to all those who work to protect and something that floats finest beaches in the UK. improve our beaches for residents and • In an emergency call 999 visitors to enjoy. • Always pay attention to warning signs This year, the council has put in place and advice additional measures to make sure that our “As well as being a source of local pride, high standards are maintained and our the awards have a real impact on our local Get more water safety tips at beaches are ready for a growing number economy, reassuring residents and visitors www.rlss.org.uk of visitors. that our beaches are clean, safe and highly recommended. These include more beach wardens and waste bins, with more staff to empty them; “I am confident that businesses who have and extra marshals with new powers to struggled during the pandemic will see the tackle environmental offences such as benefits as visitors continue to return in littering and dog fouling. Our marshals are greater numbers. working with the police and Nexus to keep the borough clean, safe, and well- “Looking after the coast is a community maintained. effort and every one of us has a responsibility to keep our coastline and The council is also working with the borough in a great condition.I’d like to community groups, Cullercoats Collective thank all our staff and volunteers for the and Totally Tynemouth Collective, about work they do to maintain such incredibly the provision of new bin stores and the high standards. I urge residents and use of volunteer ambassadors to support visitors to do their bit by always putting Cullercoats Collective is one of the groups us with litter-picking and public their rubbish in a bin, or by taking it home working with the council to care for our coastline awareness. if the nearest bin is full.”

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 11 What can I recycle?

Wash, squash and put items in loose - no bags!

Paper, magazines Clean, scrunched Flattened cardboard Washed tins and cans and envelopes foil / foil trays

Washed plastic Clean bottles plastic (lids and pots, tubs trigger and trays sprays (no black) too) Empty aerosols

NO THANKS In the glass caddy • Textiles and clothes (donate to charity) (put it inside your • Bedding grey bin for collection) • Black bags / carrier bags Glass bottles and jars • Nappies (lids go in the recycling bin) • Food waste • General waste • Black plastic food trays • Plastic film Batteries • Polystyrene • Polythene Look out for battery recycling boxes in shops • Batteries and supermarkets

Not sure if you can recycle something? Check out the A-Z of rubbish at www.northtyneside.gov.uk or call 0345 2000 101 and state ‘Envirolink’ 12 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer Action on the climate emergency

Making sure we have a clean, safe, attractive and sustainable borough is hugely important to the council, our elected members and many of our residents, businesses and organisations.

That’s why, back in 2019, we declared a climate emergency, to safeguard the borough for generations to come. Through a range of initiatives, we’re fast-tracking our programme to reduce our carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2023. You can view our Climate Emergency Action Plan online at www.northtyneside.gov.uk

Children and staff at Coquet Park First School in Whitley Bay are celebrating after receiving their fifth Green Flag award, for their work to make the school more sustainable. Environmental issues are part of the curriculum and the children are actively engaged with projects including the school’s allotment, litter picks, increasing recycling, using plastic bottles to make a greenhouse and monitoring energy usage.

Fountains spring up Helping businesses The war against plastics has been stepped up in North Tyneside with seven water fountains already installed and become greener more on the way. Local businesses and organisations are Since the council declared a climate emergency back in 2019, encouraged to take up the offer of free support a range of measures have been put in place to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint. Most recently, a single-use plastics to help reduce their carbon footprint. campaign has seen a 6ft sculpture of a seal made from litter installed along the coast, raising awareness of people’s impact North Tyneside Council’s Carbon Reduction Award on the environment. Scheme* is ideal for those that are interested in working

towards a greener, more sustainable future. Bronze, As part of the campaign, visitors can fill up their water bottles at one of the seven water fountains now dotted along the coast silver and gold levels allow participants to show their – with a further 10 to be installed in other areas in the coming green credentials by gaining a detailed understanding months. of energy and carbon reduction opportunities. To find out more, email [email protected] or call Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE said: “Ensuring North (0191) 643 6505. Tyneside is a sustainable borough, free of single-use plastics, is one of my top priorities and I know how important this is to many of our residents and businesses.” There are also free energy audits on offer, with follow-up grants available to reduce emissions and develop Deputy Mayor, Cllr Carl Johnson, added: “Along with cleaner, greener ways of operating. For details, email community-spirted residents and businesses, our teams work [email protected] all year round to clean litter, including many plastic bottles, from our coastline. Not only unsightly, this can have a hugely detrimental effect on the environment and marine life. I am If your business is interested in renewable energy, delighted we have installed these water fountains and I look you can also take part in a free desk-top feasibility study forward to seeing more in other areas of the borough in the to understand the options. coming months.” Email [email protected] for details.

The other locations were chosen with help from the council’s Young Environment Committee and include Richardson Dees * This is a local initiative and is not an alternative or replacement Park, Rising Sun Country Park, Weetslade Skate Park and accreditation for any national or international environmental, Churchill Playing Fields. sustainability or energy management standards.

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 13 Battle Hill Cullercoats

Steven Phillips Julie Cruddas Carl Johnson Willie Samuel Ken Barrie Linda Arkley Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant 6 Campville 07583 221 690 07583 087 353 0191 200 1102 07854 537 665 07583 088 349 North Sheilds 07446 831 153 NE29 0NR 07581 008 450

LabourLabour Labour Labour Conservative Conservative Benton Howdon

Peter Earley Janet Hunter Pat Oliver Maureen Madden John Harrison John Hunter Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant 103 Park Rd Quadrant 98 Tynemouth Rd 07583 106 185 07581 158 207 07581 368 194 Wallsend 07581 158 152 Wallsend NE28 7LP NE28 0LQ 0191 263 5317 0191 263 6169 07855 461 676 07968 799 641

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Camperdown Killingworth

Janice Mole Vacancy Jim Allan Linda Darke Erin Parker Leonard Gary Bell Quadrant Quadrant 152 West Farm Ave Quadrant 63 Goathland Ave 07521 316 167 07908 957 487 Longbenton 07583 087 791 Benton NE27 0BY NE12 8HD 0191 270 9279 0191 266 7875 07581 400 017

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Chirton Longbenton

John Stirling Alan Percy Hannah Johnson Joan Walker Karen Clark Eddie Darke 39 Lansdowne Tce West Quadrant 21 Balmoral Gardens 28 Greenhaugh Quadrant 152 West Farm Avenue

to councillors 2021/22 North Shields 07980 311 881 NE29 9BA West Moor 07583 043 875 Longbenton NE29 0RZ 07411 166 907 NE12 7WA NE12 8RX

0191 257 6188 07967 246 540 0191 270 9279 07968 250 896 07814 778 678

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Collingwood Monkseaton North

Steve Cox Martin Rankin Debbie Cox Joe Kirwin Paul Richardson Jane Shaw Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant 11 The Gardens Quadrant 0191 258 5843 07882 136 019 0191 258 5843 07853 153 556 Whitley Bay 07581 008 453 07779 240 747 07812 982 503 NE25 8BG 07583 094 008

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour GUIDE 14 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Supporting our local businesses

Earlier this summer, to help local businesses re-starting after lockdown, we invited them to send us an advert to appear here free of charge. We were overwhelmed with the response and would like to thank everyone for their contributions.

Please note that the information on these pages has been supplied by the advertisers and has not been checked or verified by North Tyneside Council. The Authority takes no responsibility for the services advertised and inclusion of an advert on this page does not constitute an endorsement of that business/advertiser by the Authority.

Juliano’s Pizza Lynians Dog Friendly Café FOOD AND DRINK 1A Planet Place, Killingworth. See our 31 Station Road, Whitley Bay. A relaxing extensive menu for authentic Italian pizza dog friendly venue serving traditional Baked with Love by Laura and Turkish charcoal grill, treat yourself homemade meals with a vast array of hot Specialising in gluten and dairy-free to take away food tonight. 0191 256 6555 & cold beverages. 0191 649 7781 / bakes, postal brownie boxes, celebration www.ilovejulianos.co.uk www.lynianscafe.com cakes, bake at home kits and vegan brownies! Find me on Facebook / Email Sea Palace Chinese Takeaway Blue Bramble Teahouse & Café [email protected] 145 Park View, Whitley Bay. Authentic 251 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay. We have

Chinese and Cantonese, wide ranging a delightful range of home-made goodies Eli’s Bakery menu using fresh, local ingredients. to tantalise anyone's taste buds, Unit 6, Arrow Close Business Hub, Delivery service. 0191 253 3565 including our very own brand of loose- Killingworth. We are a small independent leaf tea. www.yellowbirdteas.co.uk bakery specialising in handmade Wingin’ It Portuguese custard tarts, breads and the Katie Mae’s We’re a new takeaway delivering best brownies. 07984 018832 / 2a Heaton Terrace, North Shields. delicious chicken wings, sides, fries and www.elisbakery.co.uk All-American diner, serving handmade desserts straight to your door five days a burgers, freshly made waffles, milkshakes week. Facebook: WinginItNewcastle Cocoa Moy Ltd and more. www.katiemaesdiner.co.uk

Anything chocolate or patisserie – from Gills Fish & Chips flavoured chocolates, truffles and bars to Ahar Indian Restaurant 27 Frank Street, Wallsend. Your local fish celebration cakes and sweet treats. 238 Park View, Whitley Bay. Indian and chip take-away, based in the North 07505 276156 / www.cocoamoy.co.uk restaurant serving quality cuisine for more East for over 40 years! Get 10% off at than 30 years. Find us on Facebook. www.gillsfishandchips.co.uk Laura's Little Blue Bakes 0191 297 1183 / www.theahar.com

Freshly baked with the finest, most Sidhu Fish and Chips delicious ingredients. Cupcakes, Caboose brownies, celebration cakes and sweet Unit 5 Coastway Shopping Centre, Battle 17 East Parade, Whitley Bay. A family treats for your special event, or as a little Hill Drive, Wallsend. Local fish and chip friendly restaurant, the place to be for something for someone sweet. shop using the finest MSC certificated brunch, bistro-style food, cocktails, coffee www.littlebluebakes.co.uk cod and haddock. Winners of the Seafish and a stunning sea view. 0191 253 2889 Top 60 Fish and Chip Shops in the UK www.caboose-group.co.uk Sweet Patisserie by Emma Carlton 2019. www.sidhuhotfood.com 168 Park View, Whitley Bay. Award- The Canny Hamper Co winning puddings, perfect patisserie and Retro Bay Café Wolfensohn Business Hub, 198 High decadent desserts within our unique 52 Eastbourne Gardens, Whitley Bay. Street East, Wallsend. Thoughtfully shop. Made with the best ingredients and Opening June 2021: Café with retro curated gift hampers made with high sourced locally wherever possible. games consoles. Booking essential. Find quality local produce from food artisans Instagram: sweetpatwb us on Facebook / www.retrobaycafe.com in the North East. Find us on Facebook.

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 15 Tuk Tuk Market North East Snooker Centre DANCE 3 Roxburgh House, Park Avenue, Whitley 172 Queen Alexandra Road, North Bay. Thai and Far-Eastern grocery store Shields. Brand new sports/family offering a huge range of products from JVS Dance activities centre for all ages and abilities. Full size and junior tables, darts, pool, across Asia. www.tuktuk.market Adult Ballroom and Latin American licensed bar, refreshments and hot food dance classes. Enrolling now for a available. 0191 691 2091 Black Storm Brewery 10-week new starter course starting 32 Coble Dene, North Shields. September 2021. 07770 632779 / Pirate Escape We’re here for one thing. To make the www.jvsdance.co.uk 4A Park View, Whitley Bay. Indoor live best beer we can. And to share it with escape games for groups of 2-7 players. you. 0191 252 6303 / Email Kanvas Academy New space pirates game now available [email protected] At Tyne Metropolitan College. to book! 0191 435 8428 / www.pirateescaperooms.co.uk Cheerleading, Hip-Hop and Acrobatics

Buy the Kilo classes for any ages and abilities, with York House Boutique Hotel Unit 3, The Sidings, Tynemouth Metro opportunities to compete in dance 106-110 Park Avenue, Whitley Bay. Station. A plastic-free dried foods, competitions around the UK! 0191 486 Spacious en-suite bedrooms, signature toiletries and household products store. 2688 / www.kanvasacademy.com bedrooms with king-size beds, flexible Plus art gallery, exhibitions and room layouts can provide for community projects. Find us on Lil Beatz North Tyneside single/double/twin and family. 0191 252 Facebook / www.buy-the-kilo.com 8313 / www.yorkhousehotel.com Hip Hop for Totz, an exciting class to

help build your child's confidence, learn Cullercoats Coffee Burradon Farm Houses & Cottages to dance and have fun. 07710 614703 / 22 John Street, Cullercoats. Burradon Farm, NE23 7ND. Luxury www.lilbeatz.co.uk self-catering accommodation, perfect for An independent coffee shop, open holiday or business guests. Fourteen every day. All food freshly made on the Babyballet properties sleeping 1-8 people. Minimum premises. We sell breakfast, brunch and We teach award-winning pre-school 3-night stay. 0191 447 4616 / lots of cake! www.cullercoatscoffee.com dance classes to babies, toddlers and www.burradonfarm.co.uk

children from 6 months – 6 years. Café la Verne Southcliff Holiday Apartments 07710 614703 / www.babyballet.co.uk 42 Verne Road, North Shields. Freshly 1 Southcliff, Cullercoats. Luxury sea-front roasted own-brand coffee, freshly cooked holiday apartments with sea views. Charlene Melling School of Dance food made to order, in/outdoor seating, Award-winning four-star gold. 0191 251 Park Road, Whitley Bay. Dance 3121 / www.southcliffapartments.co.uk external shop at St Peter’s Marina. Classes. Ballet, Modern/Jazz and Tap, 0191 280 1239 / www.cafelaverne.co.uk Contemporary, Lyrical, Acrobatics, Budget Holidays Ltd

Street and Cheer. Affordable, low cost holidays for our Rustic Cup communities. £20pp deposits. www.charlenemellingschoolofdance.co.uk 28 Park View, Whitley Bay. Espresso bar www.budgetholidays.org.uk and kitchen. Local independent family business. Healthy food, speciality coffee Startastic LEISURE and craft beers presented with a Park Road, Whitley Bay. Children's signature twist. www.rusticcup.co.uk parties, events, dance lessons, music Flight Simulator Centre lessons and fitness classes. www.startastic.co.uk Second Bite CIC Brunswick Industrial Estate, NE13 7GB.

55 Coble Dene, Royal Quays Shopping Europe's largest and leading flight Tots of Fun simulator experience. Nine to choose Centre. Great food that changes lives! Wallsend-based. Soft play hire, We work with those furthest from the jobs from, including the Boeing 737 and character visits, party entertainment and market and help them enter employment Spitfire. 07824 510979 / packages. 07812 107980 / in hospitality. www.second-bite.org www.flightsimcentre.com Email [email protected]

16 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Rockcliffe Bowling and Tennis Club Skills North East Limited Whitley Bay Clinic Victoria Park, Whitley Bay. For all ages – We deliver great courses to those who An innovative physiotherapy and pain coaching and taster sessions available. want to work in the fitness industry. management clinic, providing highly Fantastic membership offers or pay by Qualify to earn as a Personal Trainer. effective treatments by expert the hour! 07488 227062 / Facebook 0191 250 4590 / www.SNE.org.uk practitioners for a wide variety of @RockcliffeBaTC conditions and injuries. 07853 278964 / Blue Button Café Ramsey's Theatre Stars 96 Oxford Street, Whitley Bay. Join us email [email protected] Performing arts classes for ages 2-18. for arts, crafts and workshops. We are Introducing the art of theatre through a Safe Place, offering counselling, Cathryn Clark Physiotherapy acting, singing and movement. holistic therapies and our new sensory Unit 2 Rudyerd House, Benton Road, www.ramseystheatrestars.com room. Find us on Facebook or email West Allotment. Physiotherapy clinic bluebuttoncafe.simplesite.com offering assessment, diagnosis and

HEALTH, FITNESS treatment for all musculoskeletal Thai Orchid Spa AND WELLBEING problems by an experienced 1 Roxburgh House, Park Avenue, Whitley physiotherapist. 0191 266 5877 / Bay. Wide range of luxury massage UNIT 13 Gym and Boxing Club treatments in a boutique spa in the heart www.ccphysio.co.uk Algernon Industrial Estate, Shiremoor. of Whitley Bay. www.thaiorchidspa.com Boxing classes, age 5+ (mini, teens and Melluna seniors). Gym, 1-2-1s, bootcamps, No2Stress 69 Park View, Whitley Bay. We sell shreds, family friendly classes and more. Ever wondered how Bach Flower incense, crystals, candles, essential oils, 07734 928694 / www.unit13gym.com remedies could help you deal with life / wicca and pagan gifts, as well as vegan impact of lockdown? Happy to explain. skincare and beauty. AM Boxing www.no2stress.co.uk 07951 875266 / www.melluna.co.uk Bellway Industrial Estate, Longbenton.

One-to-one/classes for boxing skills Creative Minds / Sensactivity CIC and fitness sessions with an ex-England 1a Bedford Terrace, North Shields. Robinson Optometrists and Commonwealth Games medallist. A sensory room and activities for people 64 Front Street, Monkseaton. National www.amboxingnewcastle.co.uk of all ages, to recover from sensory Independent Practice of the Year 2020. overload. Enabling shopping and Discover the science of eye-care and the Sassy Fitness NE promoting inclusion. Facebook and art of eye-wear. 0191 251 6102 / Friendly women’s fitness classes for all Twitter: @sensactivities www.robinsonoptometrists.co.uk ages and abilities, morning and evening classes, North Shields. Come join our Anne Morrison Therapy and The North East Sling Library squad! Email [email protected] Coaching Worried about returning to 'normal' or We offer sling hire and consultancy to The Yoga Loft being back at work? Online therapy for parents so they can carry baby safely 5 Earsdon Road, Whitley Bay. help with stress and feeling and comfortably. Celebrating our 10th A welcoming studio offering classes for overwhelmed. 07905 735457 / birthday this year! 07989 242664 / all abilities, including beginners and www.annemorrison.co.uk www.northeastslinglibrary.co.uk children’s yoga, pregnancy and post- natal. www.theyogaloftwhitleybay.co.uk Ocean Zen CIC Fighting All Cancers Together 1 Park View, Whitley Bay. We are a (FACT) The Fitness PT wellbeing centre and shop offering 33-36 Park View, Whitley Bay. Cancer NEW Personal training on the coast treatments, therapies, events and with Amber - experienced personal retreats. Plus alternative clothing and support centre now open, Monday to trainer with over 20 years’ experience. home decor. Online shop available. Find Saturday 10am-3pm. 0191 442 0833 / Email [email protected] us on Facebook / 0191 252 7538 www.fact-cancersupport.co.uk

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 17 Ingrained Joinery HAIR AND BEAUTY HOME SERVICES All aspects of joinery undertaken, from kitchens to doors and flooring #convert Tynemouth Barbers Bright & Beautiful North Tyneside #build #renovate #maintain. www.ingrainedjoinery.co.uk Platform 1, Tynemouth Metro Station. A local, award-winning business offering

Experienced North East barber with domestic cleaning, housekeeping and ironing services to the North Tyneside Grange Interiors 36+ years’ experience, a traditional area. 0191 731 4973 / Narvik Way, Tyne Tunnel Trade Park. barber offering quality cuts with a ‘feel www.brightandbeautifulhome.com/north- Designers and suppliers of fitted kitchen at home’ experience. tyneside and bedroom furniture. 0191 272 8686 / www.tynemouthbarbers.nearcut.com www.grange-interiors.com Two Canny Lasses Cleaning Services Elite Barber Shop Ne26 We can help with domestic cleans, Gary Stephenson Gardening 2 Margaret Road, Whitley Bay. A friendly, commercial cleaning and any aspect of Services deep cleaning. From end of tenancy to a Garden maintenance, tidy ups and local barber catering for all ages and simple spring clean, our love for the job is advice, lawn care, patio jet wash. Leave genders. Over 30 years’ experience, shown in our work and our reviews. Find it to those who love it! 07702 804446 trained at a top London Barbers and us on Facebook. customer focused. Find us on Facebook MBS Gardens / 07376 601253 Sparkly Sarah Cleaning Services We offer landscaping and garden design Light cleaning £7 per hour, deep cleaning services to North Tyneside and Finch £10; also shopping trips. DBS available. surrounding areas. 07954 621918 / 24 Station Road, Whitley Bay. 07845 986081 www.mbsgardens.co.uk An eco-friendly, sustainable, inclusive and gender-neutral hair salon. A positivity L A Carpets SKP Gas and Heating hub where everybody is welcome! Unit 4, Comet Row, Killingworth. We are a A reliable, professional and prompt 0191 253 1203 / www.finchsalon.com small family run business with 20 years’ service for all your gas and heating experience. We supply and fit carpets and needs. Boiler service and repair, CP12, vinyls, contract work also carried out. Haus of Tan pipework and radiators. 07454 657797 / 0191 268 8688 / Email [email protected] 16 Ann Street, Shiremoor. Swanky and www.skpgasandheating.co.uk current sunbed shop with beauty and The GlassHouse aesthetics. Cheap and cheerful costs Switch Plumbing and Heating 5b Albion Road, North Shields. and owners. Open 9am-7pm, Monday- 51 Walton Avenue, North Shields. Family A Trustmark registered local business Saturday. Find us on Facebook / run, independent plumbing and heating providing door and window installation 0191 447 8448 business. Gas Safe registered, heating services, specialists in traditional glazing showroom on site. 0191 511 1008 / and stained glass restoration. 0191 272 Heaven Therapy Wellbeing & www.switchplumbingandheating.co.uk 8666 / www.glasshousestudio.co.uk Beauty Rooms

4 St George’s Road, Cullercoats. Rothwell Plumbing Services Direct Windows North East Ltd Unit 5, Evans Business Centre, Orion A well-respected health, wellbeing and West Chirton South Industrial Estate, beauty business offering treatments NE29 7TY. Manufacturer of uPVC Way, North Shields. Boiler servicing and including massage, reflexology, facials, windows, doors, conservatories and installation. Cheaper than you think, fast, waxing, tinting, lashes, nails and so orangeries, and LEKA warm roofs. efficient and professional service from a much more. 0191 253 4504 / Trade also welcome. 0191 257 4235 / well-established North Tyneside www.heaventherapy.co.uk Email [email protected] business. 0191 258 8922 / www.rothwellplumbing.co.uk Glitter & Beauty 2.0 Vaughan Chimney Sweep Services 305 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay. A nails Local, friendly, NACS registered, family run JB Property Services and cocktails bar. We specialise in chimney sweep providing chimney sweeps, Bathroom, kitchen and boiler installs, acrylic, gel polish and nail art; and serve stove services, cowls, chimney pots and all work guaranteed. Call for a free quote. cocktails, vodka, gin whisky and beer. chimney cage installations. 0191 691 8989 07939 085845 / www.bxcorp.co.uk / www.vaughanservices.co.uk www.jbpropertyservice.com

18 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE BUSINESS Elev8 Web Design Aspire Licensing SERVICES Affordable and effective web design, Our licensing team specialise in

SEO and online shops for charities, various areas of licensing law including

not-for-profits and micro businesses in alcohol, gaming, entertainment and Global Image Embroidery the North East. events. 07947 676022 / Unit 6, Lawson Street, North Shields. Email [email protected] / www.aspirelicensing.co.uk We supply a huge range of workwear and www.Elev8webdesign.co.uk teamwear and can brand your logo by embroidery or print. 0191 259 5515 / Richardsons Sales & Lettings Your Business Pilot www.gi-embroidery.co.uk 173 Trevor Terrace, North Shields. 72 Howard Street, North Shields. Local agent offering property Getting YOUR business where YOU The Social Designer management, sales and lettings services. want it to be! Call me and we'll plan your Graphic design services – logo design, We have excellent Google reviews, journey together. 0191 466 1737 / leaflets, posters, stationery, pop-up check us out. 0191 290 3770 / www.yourbusinesspilot.com banners, menus, social media banners/ www.richardsons-estates.co.uk posts, web and print adverts. 07843 415789 Canny Clever IT Service Centres Ltd www.thesocialdesigner.co.uk BEST Accounting Services 78-80 Park View, Whitley Bay. We are AAT licensed and a fully insured Computer, laptop and gaming systems, Aspire Digital Marketing local accountancy practice. We provide sales, repairs, upgrades. A wide stock of A full-service digital marketing agency. a wide range of services to small products and free, friendly advice with no Our services include social media businesses. 07936 367335 / obligation quotes and estimates! management, social media and PPC www.bestaccountingservices.co.uk 0191 814 3777 / www.cannyclever.co.uk advertising, SEO, content creation, and web development. 07818 288049 / RA Jackson & Son LLP itcent.re www.aspiredigitalmarketing.co.uk 18 Northumberland Square, North Delivering tailored IT services for forward- Shields. Residential estate agents, thinking organisations; from IT support, ROAR Digital Marketing commercial property agents and RICS security and backups, to connectivity and Mistral House, Silverlink Business Park. registered valuers, providing HomeBuyer system management. 0191 695 1000 / A Google Partner Digital Agency helping reports and professional valuations. www.itcent.re businesses improve online visibility, drive 0191 257 1253 / www.rajackson.co.uk traffic, and improve conversion. PPC,

SEO, HubSpot, Consultancy. 0191 259 Sigma Catering Equipment Ltd

4737 / www.roardigitalmarketing.co.uk Potter Street, Willington Quay. RETAIL AND

We provide design, supply and installation SHOPPING

Ninefifteen Social Media of commercial catering, bar and food

Instagram training for small business service facilities to the hospitality industry. For The Love of The North owners looking to sell via the platform. 0191 263 6363 / www.sigma-ce.co.uk Unit 2 Spanish City, Whitley Bay. Covering seven modules, easy to Offering high-quality North-East gifts, understand and implement. FINANCIAL, LEGAL prints and cards all sourced directly from Email [email protected] / AND PROPERTY artists who live and work in the North www.ninefifteen.co.uk East. www.fortheloveofthenorth.co.uk

Big Purple Box Jo-Anne Garrick Ltd 13 Linden Terrace, Whitley Bay. Providing planning advice and support TORRO Wordpress website design, ecommerce on a wide range of development issues, Specialists in creating premium leather design, search engine optimisation, guiding clients through the complexity of lifestyle and tech accessories including website maintenance, logo and business local and national planning requirements. phone and iPad cases, bags, wallets stationery, leaflet and brochure design. For a free initial discussion, get in touch and more. 0191 270 5143 (10am - 2pm) / 0191 280 2023 / www.bigpurplebox.co.uk 0191 603 1976 / www.jo-annegarrick.co.uk www.torro.co.uk

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 19 Hamiedog Menswear Rachael’s Rascals Childcare MISCELLANEOUS 85 Park View, Whitley Bay. Established Willington Te rrace, Howdon. We are a in 2016, we showcase local designers to home-from-home setting offering flexible bring you the best in North East childcare for ages 0-12 years. Our Sarah Metcalf Photography menswear. 0191 253 3549 / Offering fun, relaxed and natural family nursery is a warm and welcoming www.hamiedog.co.uk photography sessions in beautiful North environment where children can learn East locations. Capturing special family and grow. We offer hourly childcare and SMART as Suits moments to treasure. 07975 809966 / have places for 2,3 and 4-year-old 73 Park View, Whitley Bay. We hire www.sarahmetcalfphoto.com/families traditional suits and sell tweed/check funded children. 07824 772036 / suits. Hire five and only pay for four. 0191 447 4884 Breen Educational Resources 0191 252 2262 / As an experienced teacher, I design and www.smartassuithire.co.uk Susie’s Childminding make educational resources and games Longbenton. Outstanding childminder for children to help with their learning. Pier to Pier Jewellery offering full and part time vacancies. www.breen.shop Sterling silver earrings, rings and Flexible and with 2, 3 and 4-year-old pendants, designed and handmade in the Backworth Hall Weddings funded places available. 07729 685629 / North East. www.piertopierjewellery.co.uk A hidden gem in Backworth offering Instagram @susies_childminding facilities for weddings, receptions or

Inspiratori Art Covid-secure weddings; a chance to Little Learners Childcare (N.E.) Offering affordable prints, giftware and celebrate again. 07597 205374 / cards specialising in North East designs. Limited www.backworthhallweddings.co.uk Match boxes, vintage drawings and North Shields: Barnstaple Road colourful paintings! Available for (0191 289 4027) and Lovaine Place Linskill Centre commission. www.sofiabarton.co.uk (07914 376434). Private day nurseries Linskill Terrace, North Shields. providing Outstanding childcare and A community hub providing a nursery, Emily Ward Art education from ages 3 months to 5 café, function rooms and a diverse Emily Ward is a local artist based in years. Places offered 51 weeks, term programme of community activities and North Shields. She has made a unique time only, competitive fees, funded groups for all. 0191 257 8000 / and wonderful gift range from her original www.linksill.org places for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds. paintings. From greetings cards to www.littlelearnersne.co.uk jigsaws there is something for everyone. RJM Remaps

07956 343374 / www.emilywardart.com 1 Backworth Lane, NE27 0AD. We offer The Family Tree Children’s Day engine remapping to improve your car’s Joanne Wishart Gallery Nursery performance and mpg. Unleash your 6 St George’s Road, Cullercoats. Churchill Street, Howdon. Funded car’s full potential. 0191 486 2311 / A contemporary coastal art gallery places available for eligible 2, 3 and www.rjmremaps.com featuring paintings, prints, cards and gifts 4-year-olds. Find us on Facebook. inspired by the local area and coast. 07720 299105 / Email Lucky Paws Pet Care www.joannewishart.co.uk [email protected] Dog walking and pop-in pet care. Email [email protected] / www.luckypawspetcare.co.uk CHILDCARE Little Rascals Nursery

Wa llsend, NE28 6HR. We currently offer ECS Textiles Limited childcare from 4 months to 4 years old, Footprints Day Nursery & Block 6, Gloucester Road, North Shields. all year round. We follow a curiosity Children’s Centre A textile recycling company turning old North Road, Wallsend. A private day approach and would love to share this clothes into funds for charity – changing nursery for children age 6 weeks to 5 concept further if you are interested. from plastic bags to paper leaflets you years, also holiday club for up to 11 0191 580 0969 / Email stick on a bag you already own. years. www.footprints-nursery.com [email protected] 0191 280 1239 / www.ecstextiles.co.uk

20 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Support for businesses, employment and skills The perfect recipe for business success!

North Tyneside Council’s Business Ingredients including skill, dedication, from the nearby industrial estates and Factory is here to support residents to great customer service plus a pinch of beyond. Customers are coming to us from start their own business, and existing support and advice from The Business West Moor, Killingworth and even businesses to grow, with a great range Factory and North Tyneside Business Newcastle to taste our speciality breads of practical support and advice. Forum, have helped the rise of a new and cakes. We have chosen the right bakery business. place for the business and we are grateful The programme is open to everyone in to everyone who has helped us on our North Tyneside, with specialist business Originally formed from home during journey.” advisors on hand who have experience of lockdown, Eli’s Bakery has whisked up so running their own business and know much new business that they have moved Karen Goldfinch, Chair of North Tyneside exactly how it feels to take the leap into into new premises in Killingworth, with Business Forum said: “It really has been self-employment. high demand for their Portuguese inspiring to see Sylvester and many others speciality bread and pastries. doing so well after such a difficult year, They can help with: they’ve risen above the challenges and In December 2018, Sylvester Spinelli and are now looking to take on an apprentice • Thinking about business: Research his partner Ana Ribeiro baked their first too, what an achievement. Being able to ideas in your free time on the bread based on the delicious homemade help businesses like this through the BusinessFactory.Online portal, join loaves they enjoyed as children. Just over Forum is the icing on the cake.” workshops to get ideas, start-up a year ago, their first child, Eli, was born. support tips and guidance to turn your With the couple working from home and passion, interests or skills into a looking after their new-born, they created business. a number of recipes which were tried and tested on family and friends. After positive • Getting ready to start: Talk to your feedback, the couple decided to produce Business Advisor for practical the bread and pastries commercially. guidance as you get everything in place. “Working from home was great in the sense that we were close by for Eli but it Sylvester Spinelli and his partner have • Growing a business: From growth to was difficult to produce the quantities of developed a successful bakery with support from The Business Factory. (Photo: Highlights PR) diversification, Business Advisors will food needed from our small kitchen. help you reach the next stage, drawing We decided to name the business after Eli on the specialist team for additional and then find suitable premises to upscale Find out more at: one-to-one input. our work,” said Sylvester. www.businessfactorynt.co.uk

Tel: (0191) 605 3110 • Social enterprise? Book a call with a Sylvester and Ana made use of The Social Enterprise Specialist to talk Business Factory’s online workshops and The Business Factory through your ideas for making the resources to learn about topics such as BizFactoryNT world a better place. marketing, building websites and taking on Bizfactnt commercial premises; they also spent This programme is delivered by • Building a network: Join North some one-to-one time with a Business Tedco Business Support Ltd. Tyneside Business Forum for support, Advisor and a Specialist Consultant in including networking, events and accountancy. signposting for growth and development. Commenting on the success they’ve The project is receiving up to £825,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as www.northtynesidebusinessforum. enjoyed since opening, Sylvester said, part of the European Structural and Investment Funds org.uk “We have gained a large customer base Growth Programme 2014-2020.

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 21 Support for businesses, employment and skills

Help at hand for businesses North Tyneside Council has been were complimentary of the support and Cllr Carl Johnson, Deputy Mayor, praised for its work to support advice on offer. said: “Everyone we’ve visited has local businesses to reopen as part been extremely complimentary of the of the easing of lockdown Natalie George, landlady of the work our teams are doing to support restrictions. Magnesia Bank in North Shields, said: them – they understand that we’re “A chap from the council came out to there to help them in any way we Teams were out and about visiting all see us and he was lovely. We do live can.” 198 pubs and bars in the borough karaoke so were a bit worried about ahead of the reopening of the the rules so he arranged for someone hospitality trade in May, to provide else from the council to come and look reassurance and to check everything at the measures we had in place which was in place to ensure businesses completely put my mind at rest – it was were complying with COVID-secure so helpful.” regulations. The council has also been paying out Every premises was found to be Government grants to local businesses ready to reopen and no issues were during the pandemic – with nearly reported. The teams’ friendly £65million paid to more than 4,000 The council has worked with approach also earned them top marks businesses in total. hospitality businesses to help them reopen safely from landlords and managers, who

Welcoming shoppers back safely

The borough has welcomed residents and visitors back to make a difference to our borough. We run an online store, our town centres and shopping areas; and continues to offering free delivery for any North Tyneside address and encourage people to shop locally and safely. regularly have a stall at Tynemouth Market.”

Over the last few months, the council has been sharing the More stories from local businesses are available to view on stories of some of our local businesses on social media. the council’s social media channels.

We have been pleased to be able to feature a selection of the @NTCouncilTeam borough’s sustainable businesses, including Buy the Kilo, Pets Against Plastics, Ride Electric and others. Highlighting these businesses forms part of our wider work to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint since declaring a climate emergency in 2019 (see page 13).

Pets Against Plastics provides eco-friendly and plastic-free dog and cat products. Co-owners Luke and Lucy said: “We want to make a positive impact on the environment. We are a small business and work closely with other small businesses that share the same ethos of being sustainable and plastic-free.

Lucy is co-owner of Pets Against Plastics, pictured here at “We want to make our business accessible to our customers Tynemouth Station Market and making pet owners think about the swaps they can do and

22 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Support for businesses, employment and skills

Find your future with the new adult learning and skills guide

Whether your ambition is to prepare And whether it’s digital skills or social For further information, or to enrol: for a job, develop your skills or care, we have a huge array of courses – www.skillsnorthtyneside.org.uk discover a new hobby, we have a running throughout the day and evenings Email: course for you – whatever your stage too, so there’s flexibility to fit around your [email protected] of life. other commitments. They start throughout Tel: (0191) 643 2288 the year, so you can begin immediately or We know that there’s more to learning book for a later date. than gaining a new skill or knowledge though – it’s about boosting your We understand that not all learners are wellbeing, making friends, gaining a the same, so we create personalised sense of achievement, and even setting study programmes for every one of our yourself up for a brighter future. students. You’ll also get outstanding support from our student services teams, There is no doubt the last year has ranging from tutorial support to help with been challenging for all learners – no childcare and fees. matter how young or old – but we were pleased to have offered distanced With Ofsted recognising our Adult Learning learning and excellent support for Service as ‘good’ in its last inspection, learners during this time. We used the praising the high quality of teaching, and pandemic to further develop our meeting the needs of employers and capabilities to deliver even more online learners, there’s no better time to choose learning for the forthcoming academic to study with us. year, as well as our traditional ‘in person’ studies.

l VQuorumirtua Jobs Fair Visit www.quorumpark.com to join in

• Vacancies within sales, finance, Thursday 15 July IT, customer services and public sector

11am – 1pm • Full-time, part-time, apprenticeship, training and graduate opportunities available

SPONSORED BY • Hundreds of jobs on EMPLOYMENT offer, entry-level to AND SKILLS senior positions

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 23 Support for businesses, employment and skills

Support for unpaid carers

One-to-one support is available to: Hetti identified job vacancies to apply for remove any barriers which carers may and with support and guidance face returning to work, education or throughout the application process and training; explore different routes e.g. coaching around interviews, she training, education, work placements; triumphed! From lacking confidence at develop employability skills; voluntary work interviews, to impressing an employer so and much more. Support is also available much they invited her back a second time for carers in work, who may be struggling. for a better-paid and permanent position.

Recently, Hetti accessed the project for Hetti is thriving in her new job in Business support applying for jobs. Hetti became Administration and said: “I’m over the involved with the centre when she was 12, moon! Career progression seems caring for her dad who has a spinal cord amazing! Just so happy I got it and I The Return to Work Project helped injury and her brother who has autism couldn’t have done it without all your Hetti find her new job and ADHD. support, thank you so much.”

The Return to Work Project Now at 19, she wanted to explore her For more information, please call at North Tyneside Carers’ Centre options. She had already attained GCSEs (0191) 643 2298. and beauty therapy qualifications and had provides flexible support to long-term ambitions, but often doubted her unpaid carers from the age of abilities and experienced anxiety. The 16 to support them into work, project helped her recognise her strengths, education or training. skills and abilities and build her confidence.

Back to Work Service

As we head to a more normal way of life, we understand many people may be facing uncertainty in their employment. Robin Wafer approached the People who have lost their jobs, been furloughed or who are on reduced income team after leaving can access one-to-one support from the Back to Work team. his job of 15 years in September. Robin was keen to return to We will create a personal back to work plan which will include: employment and was interested in working for the council. The team worked • Understanding what you want and what you can offer employers with Robin to improve his CV and referred • Creating an effective CV and social media profile him to a training provider to update his • Matching your skills to the jobs market skills. • Developing your network of contacts • Coaching you through the interview and recruitment process The team helped to identify job vacancies • Exploring learning and development opportunities to develop your skills and supported Robin to apply for a • Providing ongoing in-work support when you get a job seafront operative/driver post with the council. Robin was successful and is really enjoying his new job, he said: To contact the Back to Work service: “Thanks for keeping me informed about

www.skillsnorthtyneside.org.uk the job front and for putting me in touch Tel: (0191) 643 2111 with all the courses open to me.” Email: [email protected]

24 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE ADVERTISEMENT

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 25 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer

Contact us We listen, we care: Online our customer promise to you www.northtyneside.gov.uk mycare.northtyneside.gov.uk We are here to serve you, our residents, businesses and visitors. services.northtyneside.gov.uk/sign From bin collections to social care, we strive to deliver excellent customer service to keep North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit. You have Twitter / Facebook / Instagram told us what matters to you, and we have @NTCouncilTeam developed this customer promise, so you know what you can expect from us, and Email what to do if things don’t go well. [email protected]

Telephone 0345 2000 101 weekdays between 7.30am – 8pm. Other main numbers: • Emergencies (24 hour) 0330 333 7475 We listen • Housing and repairs 0345 2000 102 • We take time to fully understand You can help us to and meet your individual needs • Envirolink 0345 2000 103 • We are open, honest and use clear keep our promise by: • Council tax and benefits language in all our communication 0345 2000 104 • Where appropriate, we prefer to • Letting us know if you have any serve you via our website, but if

" specific needs this is not right for you, there are • Giving us the information we need By post different ways to contact us and to deal with your enquiry use our services North Tyneside Council, Quadrant, • Telling us when we have done a • We use your experiences to design good job The Silverlink North, Cobalt our services and help communities • Treating us politely and with respect Business Park, North Tyneside, to get involved • Telling us how you feel about our service by giving us feedback so NE27 0BY we can learn and improve

In person We care Tell us about Our Customer First Centres are at: • White Swan Centre, Killingworth • We put you in contact with the your experiences

• Northumberland Square, North right person and, when possible, tell you how long it will take to We would love to hear from you. Shields solve your query Letting us know when we have got • The Forum, Wallsend • We keep you informed with up things right or not, can help you to date information and explain and help us improve. • York Road, Whitley Bay what we have done Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4.30pm; • We treat you with courtesy, • Email your comments to CorrespondenceUnit@ Friday, 9am – 4pm politeness and understanding • We keep your personal data northtyneside.gov.uk secure and respect your privacy • Leave comments at one of the About this newsletter • We admit when we are wrong, Community Conversation Corners we say sorry, and make every in our Customer First Centres in Feedback: (0191) 643 2211 effort to put it right Wallsend, North Shields, Whitley [email protected] • We give you straightforward Bay and Killingworth Distribution: Mailbox Marketing UK and clear advice about the services that are available Ltd (0191) 228 9730. to you • We work together as a We are able to provide this team who support and respect each other newsletter in alternative formats, call (0191) 643 2211.

26 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Monkseaton South Tynemouth The Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE

Deputy Mayor Cllr Carl Johnson

Sean Brockbank David Drummond Naomi Craven Sarah Day Lewis Bartoli Chris Johnston Quadrant 33 Earsdon Road Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant 07966 486 652 West Monkseaton 07968 291 352 07591 614 341 07880 501 764 07879 673 035 NE25 9SS 0191 200 1400 07583 036 731 Conservative Labour Labour Labour Conservative Conservative North Tyneside Council Quadrant Northumberland Valley Silverlink North Cobalt Business Park North Tyneside NE27 0BY

Trish Brady Andy Newman Jim Montague Brian Burdis Carole Burdis Tommy Mulvenna Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant 53 Benton Rd 07581 368 234 07583 036 794 07581 008 452 07758 561 048 07967 141 047 West Allotment NE27 0EP 0191 266 6212

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Preston Wallsend

Cath Davis Matt Wilson Liam Bones Linda Bell Matthew Thirlaway Gary Madden Quadrant Quadrant 26 Brighton Grove Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant 0191 200 1000 07583 087 739 North Shields 07583 153 523 07403 083 159 07850 446 385 07583 153 479 NE29 0RG 07581 008 454

Labour Labour Conservative Labour Labour Labour Riverside Weetslade

Bruce Pickard Wendy Lott Frank Lott Joanne Cassidy Muriel Green Anthony McMullen Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant 0191 643 5314 0191 263 9479 0191 263 9479 07583 106 011 07967 159 056 07581 368 207 07581 001970 07583 133 581 07974 568 197

Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour Labour St. Mary’s Whitley Bay

Pam McIntyre George Westwater Judith Wallace Margaret Hall John O’Shea Sandra Graham 58 Holywell Ave Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Quadrant Whitley Bay 07581 008 457 0191 253 7169 0191 252 6828 07581 491 727 07581 394 951 NE26 3ADView the Forest Hall improvement scheme07804 at Forest 184 154 Hall Library. 07583 173 890 0191 253 7672

Conservative Conservative Conservative Labour Labour Labour OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 27 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer Alcohol before 18?

bodies and brains and worsen feelings of low mood and depression.

Children who drink regularly are also more likely to smoke and take illegal drugs, have accidents and be involved in risk-taking behaviours.

Research with children shows that parents and carers are the number one source of alcohol for children. One of the biggest myths among parents is that providing children with alcohol can help them handle drinking when they’re Every parent wants to do the right The best advice is to talk to your children older. However, evidence is very clear thing about talking to their child about about alcohol before secondary school. that introducing drinking at a younger smoking, drugs and other risks…but The Chief Medical Officer advises that no age risks giving children more of a taste how many of us ever talk to our alcohol under 18 is the healthiest and for regular drinking. children about alcohol? safest option but if they do drink, it should

definitely not be before the age of 15. There’s lots more information on the Our children have had a tough year – but What’s the Harm website, including a with lockdown easing, parents are being It can be difficult to sort the myths from Parent’s Guide to download. encouraged not to add alcohol to the mix and help children stay away from alcohol the facts, but evidence shows that alcohol for as long as possible. during childhood can harm developing www.whatstheharm.co.uk

North Tyneside Council is supporting the ‘Do It For Yourself’ campaign, as part of a collaboration which aims to raise awareness of the signs of lung cancer and encourage people to contact their GP if they’ve been experiencing a cough or ongoing breathlessness for three weeks or more.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 13% of all cancer cases and COVID-19 has had a big impact on early diagnosis, with a reported drop in lung cancer referrals in some areas.

However, not every cough is a COVID cough and having a cough for three Not every cough is COVID weeks or more, or getting out of breath doing things you used to be able to do This past year or so we’ve become a nation of DIY-ers, easily, could be signs of lung cancer. with more of us taking care of our homes. We know that the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the more treatment options However, when it comes to noticing something isn’t are available. So, if you are concerned about a persistent cough or lack of quite right with our health, we can sometimes bury breath don’t delay – contact your GP our head in the sand. today.

28 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Type 2 diabetes – know your risk

Type 2 diabetes can cause serious The risk of developing Type 2 diabetes It's very important for diabetes to be long-term health problems, but the can depend on a lot of factors, including: diagnosed as early as possible because it good news is that you can help prevent will get progressively worse if left it by eating a healthy, balanced diet, • Being overweight or obese: untreated. maintaining a healthy weight and Especially if you’re carrying extra exercising regularly. weight around your middle You can find out much more about • Sedentary lifestyle: Being inactive diabetes, as well as check your risk score Diabetes is a serious condition. Type 1 often leads to being overweight of developing Type 2 diabetes, on the diabetes is when the pancreas can’t • Age: Your risk increases with age and Diabetes UK website: produce insulin and Type 2 diabetes is you’re more at risk if you’re over 40 www.diabetes.org.uk when the insulin that the pancreas • Family history: You’re more likely to produces can’t work properly, or the develop Type 2 diabetes if you have a pancreas can’t produce enough of it. close family member with diabetes Both types result in blood glucose (sugar) • Ethnicity: Type 2 diabetes is more levels rising. prevalent in people of South Asian, African-Caribbean and Black-African Common symptoms of diabetes – which descent can affect adults and children – include: • Smoking: Associated with a higher If you are concerned about your risk going to the toilet a lot (especially at risk of Type 2 diabetes, it also score, or any diabetes symptoms, speak night), being very thirsty, feeling more tired increases the risk of other serious to your GP. than usual, losing weight without trying to, health conditions such as heart cuts and wounds taking longer to heal, disease and cancer blurred eyesight and increased hunger. Be the 12th Man

Are you feeling a little unfit? Could you do with losing some extra pounds? Want to take part in a health programme with a group similar to you?

North Tyneside Council has partnered with Newcastle United Foundation to offer the free of charge 12th Man programme.

The 12-week healthy lifestyle programme is exclusively for men, aged between 18-65, with a BMI between 28-35 who are a resident of North Tyneside. Programmes are taking place at various locations across the borough from summer onwards.

Throughout the 12 weeks, you will learn about all things related to health and wellbeing including: exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress, anger, behaviour change and coping strategies. You will also get the opportunity to take part in a variety of physical activity sessions led by qualified personal trainers and health experts.

If you’d like to find out more and to check if Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly can help reduce your risk of you meet the eligibility criteria, please developing Type 2 diabetes. North Tyneside Council has partnered with Newcastle contact [email protected]. United Foundation to offer the 12th Man programme

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 29 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer

You are not alone

That's the message to anyone phone if you can and when prompted FOR ANI. They will offer you a private who feels at risk of domestic press 55. You will then be transferred to space, provide a phone and ask if you abuse. your relevant police force who will assist want a 999 police response or to speak you without you having to speak. to a domestic abuse support helpline. North Tyneside Council is keen to reassure people that they are not North Tyneside’s domestic abuse More information on the support alone and that help and support is support service, Harbour, has a live available can be found on the council’s available for anyone who is chat facility on their website at website, visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk experiencing, or at risk of, domestic www.myharbour.org.uk. The service and search ‘domestic abuse’. abuse. is available between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Harbour can also be If you or someone else is in contacted for advice and support by immediate danger, please dial 999. telephone on (0191) 251 3305.

If you are in danger but unable to talk Local pharmacies which have the ASK on the phone, dial 999 and listen to FOR ANI symbol on display, are trained the questions from the operator, and ready to help. All you need to do is respond by coughing or tapping the approach a member of staff and ASK

Creative opportunities for carers

Local arts charity Helix Arts has There’ll be opportunities for parents and No matter what your age or ability, designed Better Connect – a cultural families at North Tyneside Carers Centre you can come and try one of our taster programme offering carers across and at the Family Gateway too. By Your sessions. Email North Tyneside the chance to take part Side art sessions at North Tyneside Arts [email protected], call in creative opportunities alongside Studio are for adult carers who might find (0191) 241 4931 or visit us online. fellow carers and professional artists. creativity helps their mental health and Falling on your Feet dance sessions at www.helixarts.com There are lots of different creative Meadow Well Connected are for carers sessions and projects taking place in safe over 55 who want to dance like nobody's spaces where you can express yourself watching! using all sorts of activities including dance, drama, craft, writing, reading, making, Why not get involved? There’s training and moving, design, music and more! funding for residents and artists to design and run community projects. There are Better Connect’s first project, You: Your also lots of volunteering opportunities Art, takes place online this summer and available. Carers are invited to take part in a new programme of creative activities, including artist Jessica Kinnersley will take you into drama the world of creative journaling.

Better Connect is part of Thriving Communities, a national programme aiming to improve and increase the range and reach of social prescribing community activities. Locally this includes; Helix Arts, North Tyneside Carers Centre, Family Gateway, Age UK North Tyneside, Meadow Well Connected, North Tyneside Arts Studio, Tyne and Wear Museums, First Contact Clinical, North Tyneside Council and VODA.

30 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE New payment system for school meals

Many of our secondary schools Parents are encouraged to set up a in the e-mail to pay for meals at the till. across the borough now operate ParentPay account to monitor what your Children eligible for free school meals an online cashless system to pay child is having and to check what your will have a daily allowance added for school meals. child is spending daily. Please activate automatically to their account and will your ParentPay account even if your charge purchases to their account This system ensures all students are child is entitled to free school meals, using the same QR code as a paying able to pay for school meals safely as the system will be used to student, ensuring complete anonymity. without the risks associated with communicate updates about your school handling cash and offers parents and meals service, as well as a payment In North Tyneside, ParentPay is students a range of ways to pay at system. managed by North Tyneside Council school – by card payment or online. Catering Services and not your school. To set up an account, an activation For more information, email ParentPay has also been rolled out username and password will be sent to [email protected] or to all middle, first, primary and special you by email or letter. In secondary visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk schools, to replace the JOINOS schools, students can use their own system. debit card or use the QR code provided

Support for new parents in North Tyneside

The 0-19 Children’s Public Health from North Tyneside to ask questions • Parents and carers of children team is here to help you with and find out what to expect. aged 0-5 can text questions to the advice and support on feeding Health Visiting team on your baby or child. In addition, we also have sessions for 07480 635 592 pregnant mams, ones on breastfeeding, • Parents and carers of children In addition to our face-to-face feeding when out and about and aged 5-19 can text questions to contacts, we offer virtual support returning to work or study, which are the School Nursing team on sessions. These have been taking all available to book. 07480 635 908 place throughout the pandemic and the team has recently introduced a Sessions are currently timetabled until new session dedicated to introducing the end of August and must be booked solid foods. in advance. To find out more, visit my.northtyneside.gov.uk/0-19 or talk to Designed to tell you everything you your Health Visitor. need to know about the signs your baby is ready for food, where to start, All parents and carers in the borough A new support session on introducing the things you'll need and safety can also get support via texting service your baby to solid foods is now advice, you can join other parents ParentLine: available

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 31 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer

Annual Canvass of Electors 2021

Last year, the way we carried out the canvass changed because of new legislation.

This year, you may have received a ‘notification only’ letter which tells you who we understand is registered to vote at your property. If the details are correct you do not need to respond to this correspondence. We only need to know if there have been any changes.

If we are uncertain whether the information we hold is correct, we will have sent out an enquiry form which asks for a response. You need to reply to this as soon as possible. Full details on the methods of responding are given on the form.

Residents will no doubt understand that, in the current circumstances, we would like to avoid sending out canvassers to make personal visits. Therefore, we are asking that you please help us by responding if you have been asked to and doing this as soon as possible.

Full details on the methods of responding are given on the form.

If you need to contact the Electoral Services team, telephone (0191) 643 2270 or email [email protected].

Further investment in public facilities

North Tyneside Council continues to day in order to reduce the risk to them and A full list of public facilities, including invest in its public facilities around the public. specialist Changing Places facilities, the borough and we know how and their opening times can be found at important it is to our residents to What’s more, we’ve recently invested in www.northtyneside.gov.uk – search have clean, accessible public toilets refurbishing the public toilets in Saville ‘public toilets’, or by calling 0345 2000 nearby. Street in North Shields to bring them back 101. into use after years of being closed. Never has this been more apparent than during the last year or so, with The facilities on the Northern Promenade many people flocking to the borough’s in Whitley Bay, next to the Rendezvous fantastic outdoor spaces while so Café, have also undergone a much- many of the places we’d usually visit needed makeover as part of the upgrades have been closed. to the surrounding area and now feature fantastic eye-catching local artwork. This That’s why council-maintained public is in addition to the revamp of the toilets toilet facilities on the coast have further down the promenade at Watts remained open throughout, though with Slope, carried out in 2016. slightly reduced opening times to allow for enhanced cleaning and to reduce Additional seasonal toilets are also being the amount of time the team have to provided in Churchill Playing Fields in time Eye-catching photography inside the upgraded Northern Promenade toilets spend inside the facilities during the for the summer.

32 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE ADVERTISEMENT

Do you know how much energy you’re using?

A smart meter could help you track your energy usage. The in-home display shows you the amount of energy you use in pounds and pence, allowing you to keep a closer eye on your energy spending habits.

Both the in-home display and the smart meter operate without the need to be connected to the internet.

Call our Information & Advice team on 0191 280 8484 or email [email protected] to find out more.

Eligibility may vary, consumer action required.

Registered charity number 1049527. Company number 1763579.

Smart Meters NTC magazine.indd 1 OUR NORTH26/05 /TYNESIDE2021 09:12:10 33 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer Keeping brothers and sisters together is our key priority There are more children waiting to be reflection they could have adopted brothers adopted in North Tyneside than there and sisters together. The same research If you are thinking are adopters. Adopt North East shows that no less than 88% of parents particularly needs forever families that did adopt siblings say the positives about adoption: who will be able to adopt brothers and outweigh the challenges. sisters together. Register for one of our virtual So, will you help us change the lives of information events by emailing Adopt North East is the regional adoption brothers and sisters? [email protected] agency working on behalf of North The events start at 6.30pm on: Tyneside, Newcastle, Northumberland, Adopt North East focuses on providing the • Thursday 8 July Gateshead and South Tyneside councils. best support for adoptive families and will be with you every step of the way. • Wednesday 11 August It is in the best interests of children that • Thursday 9 September they can find a loving family to enable them All adoption enquiries are welcome, • Monday 4 October to stay together with their brothers and regardless of age, disability, sex, gender sisters. Staying together can help adopted identity, race, religion or sexual orientation. You don’t have to take part in an event children settle, develop their self-esteem, You can be single, married or in a to get in touch, you can speak to a support their mental health and improve partnership. their life chances. member of the team at any time:

Nearly half of the children needing a “We would absolutely Tel: (0191) 643 5000 recommend Adopt North East forever family right now are in sibling Email: to anyone thinking about groups of two or more. Sadly, these [email protected] children are waiting much longer for a adoption.” forever family than single children. New Recent adopter. www.adoptnortheast.org.uk research reveals that many adopters who adopted just one child later say that on

Could you be the new family they need?

We are anxiously seeking loving, forever families for sibling groups just like Oscar, Mia and Jacob. They have experienced trauma in the past and it is most important that they are placed with adopters who can demonstrate empathy, resilience, stability, reliability and flexibility.

Oscar is 8 and is a warm-hearted, selfless and brave little boy. He enjoys being creative and is very caring. Mia is 6 and loves to play and entertain people. She enjoys singing and helping her brothers with schoolwork. Jacob is 5 and a natural leader. He is interested in everything around him and absorbs himself in whatever he is doing.

Please contact us if you think you could be the forever family they need. Adopt North East will be on hand to provide support at every stage. Names and details have been changed.

34 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Meet the couple who have opened their home to brothers

“When children come into care their only rock is their brother and sisters; they deserve wherever they can – and if it is safe to do so – to remain to live together. When brothers and sisters get to stay together, in our experience, they settle into their new home quicker, they get to see each other every day, experience regular memories, birthdays and other special occasions. This can only be a positive for their mental health.”

And for the last six years, three brothers, aged 10, 11 and 13, have lived with Susan and George – becoming a big part of their family.

George said: “They are a significant role model to our grandchildren and the memories we have created will always be with us all. We have made so many fantastic memories, too many to mention, but Christmas as a family unit is the most treasured of all – getting to open presents together and spend the day as brothers.”

Susan and George Townsend have been fostering for 18 years North Tyneside Council’s children’s services was rated ‘outstanding’ at the last Ofsted inspection in 2020 and the couple praised the support they’ve received. Susan and George Townsend hope that by sharing their own story they can encourage more people to think about George added: “Over the years, North Tyneside Council has fostering siblings. been a big support to us and the children. The children class all the social workers as very big parts of their lives because they Susan, 49, and husband George, 52, have been fostering with take the time with them. There is regular training and regular North Tyneside Council for 18 years and during that time have visits from social workers so you can work together to solve welcomed four sibling groups into their home. anything that need solving and celebrate the wins, and I’m pleased to say we have had more wins!” “When we started our journey all those years ago, we always wanted to open our home to siblings. The thought of brothers or “If you are thinking of becoming foster carers for a family of sisters being separated breaks our hearts when they have lost siblings, don’t think about it, just do it! You will help a family to so much already. Fostering siblings is so heart-warming and stay together.” rewarding,” Susan said. The council is recruiting foster carers, especially those willing to The couple decided to foster when their own biological children look after older children, teenagers and sibling groups. were young – it was after their two-year-old was diagnosed with a medical condition that it brought home why it was important to There are many different types of fostering and each carer foster sibling groups. chooses what is right for them and their family. For example, the council’s emergency and short-break schemes provide Susan added: “Being a parent makes you think of what would someone with the flexibility to continue to work and earn an extra happen to your children if anything were to happen to you – and income. having one child with a medical condition, our fear was that they would be split up. If you have a brother or sister, look back to your For more information about fostering in North Tyneside, childhood – can you imagine living in a different home to them? visit www.northtyneside.gov.uk/fostering, email Keeping families together is an important role for us. [email protected] or call (0191) 643 2540.

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 35 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer Standing together against racism

Friendship, tolerance, and celebrating Police, the Department for Work and discrimination and disadvantage in their diversity are just some of the guiding Pensions and the NHS. They will work everyday lives. principles behind a new taskforce in together to address a range of issues North Tyneside. affecting BAME communities including “The taskforce brings together experts access to health care, employment and from our BAME communities to find The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic skills; and to stage events that celebrate solutions and make things happen for our (BAME) Taskforce has been set up to local diversity. residents. As a council that prides itself tackle racism and inequality and develop on listening, this is a real opportunity for ideas that can help to improve people’s The group meets monthly and is chaired us to make sure that everyone has a lives. by North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Norma voice and a part to play in shaping Redfearn CBE, who said: “North Tyneside council policies. I am excited by the Members include community and faith is a welcoming and tolerant place where possibilities and the conversations that leaders, charities, youth leaders and we embrace and celebrate diversity – but we’ve had so far.” council officers, as well as Northumbria we know there are people who still face

Meet the taskforce

Austin Oshegbu Brenda Dinsdale “The BAME Taskforce is an important “When the title of the group ‘BAME’ is group in North Tyneside. As a member I unpicked, people are often unaware that feel privileged to be able to contribute to ‘minority ethnic’ groups include Jews. North the task of building a safe, welcoming and Tyneside is a wonderful borough in which to inclusive society where all residents are live and I would urge everyone to become treated with dignity, irrespective of ethnic, involved in some way with our BAME group. racial, cultural or religious differences.” This might mean coming along to our virtual meetings and ‘having your say’. It could mean sharing a skill. It could mean Siamak Zolfaghari coming along if we have an event to see what sort of thing we “I joined the BAME Taskforce to make a do. Try it! You might like it!” change to the way we are looking at people from different backgrounds and different cultures, to make them welcome within society. I would like to say that we are looking for other members of BAME communities to join the group and make a huge difference for the communities and diversity in North Tyneside.” BAME Youth Committee North Tyneside’s BAME Youth Committee is focusing on Josephine Mudzingwa Siziba reducing the stigma around young asylum seekers and “Diversity brings in new ideas and refugees living in North Tyneside. Over the past few months, experiences, and people can learn from they have been creating a short animated video to raise each other. Bringing in different ideas awareness and hope that schools and community groups will and perspectives leads to better problem- use the film to help educate people and dispel the myths solving.” around asylum seekers that are not true.

Want to be involved? Please email [email protected] or call If you would like to be involved with the taskforce, or have any (0191) 643 7747. ideas to share, please get in touch. The taskforce is also keen to hear from anyone interested in helping to stage an event that Young people interested in joining the BAME youth committee celebrates diversity. The event could showcase song and dance, are invited to email [email protected] to find food or fashion, tell stories or include a marketplace. out more.

36 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Get involved and have your say This summer there are opportunities for residents to share their views and experiences on a range of subjects.

North Tyneside SEND Local Offer Big Community Conversation

The Local Offer brings together information We are seeking your views on priorities for North Tyneside. about education, health and care services, To be involved, you can join our Residents’ Panel by emailing support groups and leisure activities in one place for [email protected] or call (0191) 643 7747. children and young people aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). North Tyneside Council tenants It can be viewed online at www.northtyneside.gov.uk (search ‘SEND Local Offer’). Tenant involvement helps us understand the services tenants use and how they want them delivered. It enables tenants to To keep things up to date and relevant, we review it help shape services and set they standards they expect; regularly and are inviting young people aged 16-25 who and it helps us make good decisions on how resources are have a Special Educational Need or Disability to work with used. We value our tenants’ views and have recently piloted us over five, one-hour sessions in August and September. online engagement sessions to discuss customer Parents and carers are also welcome. Please email satisfaction and what is a good service. If you would like to [email protected] or call (0191) 643 8215. get involved, call (0191) 643 7746.

Living Well North Tyneside It’s more important than ever TyneHealth GP Federation, VODA and Check out the Living Well website for before to look after our health and Healthwatch North Tyneside. more information and details on how wellbeing. However, it can be you can get involved. difficult to find useful information In summer 2021, we will be launching www.livingwellnorthtyneside.co.uk about local health and care a new website called Living Well @LivingWellNT services, as well as local events North Tyneside. It will include lots of and groups in your area to help information about living well, local you in everyday life. activities and the support and services that are available to you. The Living Well North Tyneside Partnership is a group of local Before then we will be working to organisations working to improve ensure the website is useful for access to information in North everyone and is a valuable resource Tyneside. The Partnership includes for residents of all ages and North Tyneside Council, North backgrounds. We will be engaging Tyneside Clinical Commissioning with a range of local groups, Group, the four Primary Care organisations, charities and local Connecting our communities with Networks (PCNs) of local GP people to find out what you want and trusted information on services, activities, events and people to support us all practices in North Tyneside, need. to live well locally.

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 37 Keeping North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit this summer

Local groups celebrate top awards

Two organisations in North Tyneside have been across the country who are celebrating after honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary winning the prestigious award this year. Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local Remembering the Past and Whitley Bay Street Pastors are communities and was created in 2002 to celebrate The among 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Remembering the Past is a volunteer-led charity that collects and manages a digital collection of stories, sound recordings and memorabilia which reflects every aspect of local life in North Tyneside since the turn of the 20th century. They began collecting memories in 1997 and their collection is one of the longest-running and diverse community history archives in the country. www.rememberingthepast.co.uk

Whitley Bay Street Pastors provide support to vulnerable young people on weekend evenings and volunteers also coordinate the North Tyneside Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) team, who provide emergency overnight shelter to the homeless during cold winter nights. More recently the pastors have been volunteering in the community and at vaccination stations. Since the team started 10 years ago, they have cared for over 7,300 vulnerable people. https://streetpastors.org/locations/whitley-bay

Help is here if you need it

If you are struggling to pay your bills to the Go to www.northtyneside.gov.uk and search ‘Council Tax council, please get in touch so we can help. support’.

Paying your rent: If you are a council tenant and are Discretionary Housing Payments: You may qualify if having difficulty paying your rent please call 0345 2000 102 your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit includes housing or email [email protected] as there might be costs, but doesn’t cover your full rent payments, or if you support that could be put in place to help you. If you do need help finding affordable accommodation. not need to contact an officer, you can make a payment by Go to www.northtyneside.gov.uk and search ‘Discretionary visiting www.northtyneside.gov.uk and searching ‘pay your Housing Payment’ or call 0345 2000 104. rent’. Crisis Support: If you are experiencing exceptional Council Tax: If you think you might not be able to pay your hardship and need help with a food parcel or utility bill call bill, we can look at ways of supporting you, check whether (0191) 643 2777 and press option 2 (Monday-Friday, 9am you are entitled to a discount or arrange a payment plan. to 2pm). Call 0345 2000 101 (weekdays only). Independent advice about debt or benefits: Call Citizens Council Tax Support: This is a discount you can claim if Advice on 0300 3309 047 or visit www.ntcab.org.uk you are on a low income to reduce the amount you pay (depending on your income and household size).

38 OUR NORTH TYNESIDE Promote your group here! This is space for voluntary or community groups to promote themselves, independent of the council. Are you part of a voluntary or community organisation? Would you like to tell North Tyneside residents about your work in this newsletter? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] for details.

Phoenix Walking Club 21st Whitley Bay Scout Group We offer walks throughout the year in a All our groups are actively welcoming variety of locations, on different days of the new members: Beavers for ages 6-8, week (except Sundays), so it’s easy to plan Cubs aged 8-10½ and Scouts aged 10½-14 them around your commitments. There’s a choice of years. We meet on a weekly basis at our headquarters different distances, ranging from eight to sixteen miles, beside Whitley Bay Ice Rink and anybody who would like to with all walks finishing at the same pub. Coach transport is come along and see what we do is very welcome. We do provided, with four pick-up points in North Tyneside. camping, archery, survival skills, and have many badges our Full details, including joining information, can be found at young people can work for, Plus lots of games, water sports www.phoenixwalkingclub.org We look forward to seeing and many other activities. For details contact Michelle on you! 07923 806855, or email [email protected]

Crawford Park Bowling Club Northumbria Healthcare NHS Situated in Monkseaton, we are non-profit- Foundation Trust making and play in leagues on Monday, Become the heartbeat of your local NHS and join one of Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, as well as Thursday and the best-performing trusts in the country to help shape Friday afternoons during the season of April to September. local healthcare services for you and your family. For more details please email [email protected] You’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about the way we deliver care and membership is open to anyone aged 12 or over. You can be involved as much or as little as you like, from simply receiving voting St Edward’s Fellwalkers papers to donating your time as a volunteer or standing Our group is seeking new members and for election to become a trust governor. It is free to guests. Our walks are alternate Saturdays in become a member and you can opt out any time. Northumberland, Durham, Cumbria, Scotland and Yorkshire with a choice of walks to cater for different abilities, usually 8, To find out more please visit www.northumbria.nhs.uk or 10, 12 and 15 miles. You’ll need boots, waterproofs, rucksack email [email protected] and a packed lunch. The weather can be variable, but a warm welcome awaits! We’re a friendly club with a lively social life. Coach pick-up points are on our website. For details, contact Membership Secretary Ray Salkeld (0191) 253 1989) or Peter Reed (0191) 251 8739. www.stedwardsfellwalkers.co.uk

Domestic abuse Support services in North Tyneside is everyone’s Harbour 0191 251 3305 business Acorns 0191 349 8366 You are not alone

OUR NORTH TYNESIDE 39 ADVERTISEMENT

Your local taxi company.

We are currently recruiting new drivers, for more details please contact our office.