Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council

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Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
Summer 2018                    www.gateshead.gov.uk

Great Exhibition of the North Know Your
8 page pull out               Councillors
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
TESHEAD
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Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
Welcome                                                Great Exhibition of                                                                    Lauren
                                                                                                                                             Laverne
from Leader of the Council
Martin Gannon
                                                       the North
With the Great
                                                       Pages 19-26
Exhibition of the
North about to
begin on 22 June,
this bumper edition
includes an eight-
page pull out
highlighting the key        Leader of the Council,
events taking place       Councillor Martin Gannon
across our region.
Most of them are free, offering residents
and visitors alike an insight into what
makes the North such a creative and
                                                                                                     Gateshead weddings
innovative place. Running until 9
September, this will be the cultural
                                                                                                                Page 14
highlight of the year, with hundreds of
events for you and your family to enjoy.
See pages 19-26 for details.
This issue also features your guide to
who represents you on the council
following the local elections last month.
We’ve news of which local organisations
and individuals scooped a Gateshead
Award - voted for by you - as well as details
on our annual Foster Carer Awards night.
If you are thinking about getting married
- our ceremony rooms within Registrars
                                                                  Summer fun
are definitely worth checking out.
Recently refurbished, they offer a
                                                                     Page 31
modern and beautiful backdrop to your
wedding ceremony. See page 14 for full
details.
There’s an update on the ongoing
roadworks at Heworth roundabout
which are being completed ahead
of time. And we continue to crack
down on fly tippers who blight the
environment.
A joint bid to attract Channel 4 to our
                                                                                                                                  Angel 20
area is underway led by Gateshead and
Newcastle councils - we’ll keep you up
                                                                                                                                   Page 35
to date with this in future issues with a
decision expected later this year.
All this plus health news, updates on                Gateshead Council News is designed and published by Gateshead Council’s Communications
our celebrations to mark the 20th                    Service. Every effort is made to ensure that all information is correct at time of publication.
anniversary of The Angel of the North                An online version can be viewed at www.gateshead.gov.uk/now
and how you can keep your children                   It is distributed by The National Leaflet Company to homes and businesses across Gateshead.
entertained over the Summer holidays.                For delivery queries please contact: 0191 415 5527. Printed by Acorn Web Offset Ltd.
                                                     Front cover: Great Exhibition of the North (NGI)
                                                     Different formats: If you would like to receive Council News in large print, Braille,
                                                     CD or mp3, please contact Diane Brennan on 0191 433 3444 or
                                                     dianebrennan@gateshead.gov.uk
Martin Gannon
                                                     © Gateshead Council, Regent Street,
                                                     Gateshead NE8 1HH. 0191 433 3000

                                                                          www.gateshead.gov.uk            @GMBCouncil            gatesheadcouncil      3
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
NEWS

News in brief                                 Gateshead angels honoured
 Success for Newcastle Airport
Newcastle International Airport was
the only UK airport to win an award at
the 2017 Airports Council International
Airport Service Quality Awards. It was
named best airport in its category for
customer service in Europe.

 Armed Forces Day
To mark Armed Forces Day, the
annual flag raising will take place on
Monday 25 June at 1.30pm outside
the front of Gateshead Civic Centre. A
thanksgiving service will take place at         Our new Gateshead Award winners celebrate their success
St Mark’s Church, Durham Road, Low
Fell, on Sunday 1 July, 10am. Everyone        As the Angel of the North celebrates its     to give to her three grandsons. Two
is welcome.                                   20th birthday this year, we honoured         organisations - Friends of Felling Park
                                              some real-life angels at our annual          and Town Centre and Felling Magpies
 Great North 10k                              Gateshead Awards event.                      Football Club - both won awards which
                                                                                           recognised the significant impact
                                              The awards are for local people - from
North East athlete Alyson Dixon joined                                                     they continue to have on their local
                                              carers to volunteers, sports achievers
a group of runners from across the                                                         community. The Magpies had more
                                              to community organisations, who go
region to launch the Simplyhealth                                                          than one success on the night with Karl
                                              that extra mile to help people in their
Great North 10k Gateshead, which is                                                        Boyd winning Sports Coach of the Year
                                              communities.
celebrating its 10th anniversary this                                                      for his work with young footballers up
year. 2018 will see the 10th staging of       Care                                         to the age of 18.
the North East’s biggest 10k running          Eleven-year-old Thea Jeffares, Young         Athlete
event when it returns on Sunday 8             Carer of the Year, is an inspiration to
July. Entries for the Simplyhealth                                                         Our Sport Achiever of the Year,
                                              many. While still at primary school Thea
Great North 10k and Family Run are                                                         Jonathan Brown, is an athlete with
                                              helps to care for her brother. She is
open at www.Greatrun.org/North10k                                                          Special Olympics who has won gold
                                              captain of her football team at Leam
                                                                                           and silver medals at the Special
                                              Rangers and volunteers with her mam
 ACE Award for BALTIC shop                                                                 Olympics Yorkshire & Humberside
                                              for SWAN UK, a charity that supports
                                                                                           Athletics Championships as well as a
                                              children with undiagnosed genetic
BALTIC shop has been awarded ‘Best                                                         gold medal at the Special Olympics
                                              conditions.
Shop’ Award by The Association for                                                         Great Britain National Games.
Cultural Enterprises (ACE) at the             Other young people honoured at the
                                                                                           Two lifetime achievement awards
association’s annual awards event that        awards were Ellie Wilson, a boxer with
                                                                                           were presented to Kay Parker, an active
celebrates innovation and quality in          Leam Lane Amateur Boxing Club, who
                                                                                           volunteer and board member with
cultural retail. You can call into the shop   won the Maureen Chaplin Young Sports
                                                                                           Healthwatch Gateshead since it began
inside BALTIC Centre for Contemporary         Achiever. Laura Hillary was awarded
                                                                                           in 2008; and to Bob Pinkerton who has
Art on South Shore Road, or view              Young Achiever of the Year for her
                                                                                           raised £85,000 for local charities and
online the great gifts it has to offer at:    involvement with groups at Gateshead
                                                                                           children’s hospitals over 25 years.
www.balticmill.com/shop                       Central Library.
                                                                                           A special award was also presented to
                                              Michael Wade was voted Volunteer of
 Gateshead College                                                                         Stan Fannan, Tommy Nicholson and
                                              the Year for his role with Guidepost and
                                                                                           Bob Allen, members of the Gateshead
Gateshead College is the best-performing      Carer of the Year, Linda Bennett, was
                                                                                           Armed Forces Veterans’ Association.
college in the North East for the fourth      recognised for the care she continues
year running, as well as the second top                                                      For more information visit
in the country. New figures from the                                                         www.gateshead.gov.uk/
Education and Skills Funding Agency                                                          gatesheadawards
show that the college achieved an
overall student achievement rate of
93.9% in the academic year of 2016-17
                                                                                             Check your bin
– almost 10% higher than the national                                                        collection date
average and only 0.1% below the top-                                                         www.gateshead.gov.uk/
performing college in England.                                                               binchecker or call 0191 433 7000
                                               Thea Jeffares, Young Carer of the Year

4      Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
NEWS

Election results                                                                        Trinity Square
Last month, local council elections took     Whickham East and Labour gained
place. A summary of the results is given     one seat from Liberal Democrats
below.                                       gaining Ryton Crookhill and Stella
• Gateshead remains in Labour control      • Seven new councillors have been elected
  with 54 seats
                                           • 63.81 per cent of voters used a postal
• Liberal Democrats gained one seat          vote
  from Labour taking Dunston Hill and
                                           • Turnout was 33.6 per cent

  The new councillors in the following wards are:
                                                                                        It was five years ago in May 2013,
  • Crawcrook and Greenside:               • Pelaw and Heworth: Rosy Oxberry            that Trinity Square Gateshead
    Hugh Kelly (Labour) who replaces         (Labour) who replaces Councillor           opened – the most significant
    Councillor Jack Graham                   Anne Wheeler                               milestone in the regeneration of
  • Dunston and Teams: Dot Burnett         • Ryton, Crookhill and Stella: Freda         Gateshead for many years and
    (Labour) who replaces Councillor         Geddes (Labour) who replaces               one of the most ground breaking
    Pauline Dillon                           Councillor Christine McHatton              projects ever seen in the borough.
  • Dunston Hill and Whickham East:        • Ryton, Crookhill and Stella:               Now it’s the vibrant heart of
    Kevin McClurey (Liberal Democrat)        Christopher Buckley (Labour) who           Gateshead town centre, a place
    who replaces Councillor Allison          replaces Councillor Liz Twist              where everyone is welcome with
    Thompson                                                                            visitor numbers increasing year on
                                           • Wardley and Leam Lane: Anne
                                                                                        year.
  • High Fell: Judith Gibson (Labour)        Wheeler (Labour) who replaces
    who replaces Councillor Doreen           Councillor Peter Mole                      With its mix of shopping, health
    Davidson                                                                            and leisure facilities and the Tyne
                                                                                        and Wear Metro and Gateshead
                                                                                        bus interchange on its doorstep,
 For full details of who represents you on Gateshead Council visit:
                                                                                        Trinity Square has transformed
 www.gateshead.gov.uk/councillors
                                                                                        the town centre and continues
 A Know Your Councillor poster with contact information and surgeries                   to attract new business – such as
 will be available shortly to download/print from our website.                          healthy café NU To GO – which we
                                                                                        feature on page 15.
 If you prefer a hard copy sent to you or would like more information on
 local councillors, contact Emma Reynard on 0191 433 2280 or email                      Trinity Square is also home to
 emmareynard@gateshead.gov.uk                                                           the 27ft ‘Halo’ sculpture by artist
                                                                                        Stephen Newby and to one of the
                                                                                        largest Tesco extra stores in the
  Dunston Staiths success                                                               country. Vue boasts a nine screen
                                                                                        fully digital cinema which is one of
  Dunston Staiths, believed to be the      England’s campaign Irreplaceable:            the Square’s main attractions and
  largest timber building in Europe,       A History of England in 100 Places.          sitting above the shopping centre,
  now has another accolade to be           Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A           the student accommodation
  proud of.                                judged the category and chose the            blocks are home to some 1,000
                                           ten sites following hundreds of public       Northumbria University students.
  It’s been named as one of the top
                                           nominations for what should be in            One of the biggest draws for
  ten most important industrial
                                           the final ten.                               local people to Trinity Square is
  heritage sites in England, following
  its inclusion in the Industry, Trade     Owned by Tyne & Wear Building                the programme of free events
  and Commerce category in Historic        Preservation Trust, the staiths is           throughout the year. Ranging
                                           currently being repaired so it can           from family fun days and charity
                                           continue to be enjoyed and used by           events to the very popular
                                           the public thanks to funding from            Christmas Lights switch on,
                                           the Heritage Lottery Fund, English           marking the official countdown to
                                           Heritage and Historic England.               the start of the festive season.

                                            For more information visit:                   To find out more about
                                            www.historicengland.org.uk                    Trinity Square visit: www.
                                                                                          trinitysquaregateshead.co.uk

                                                              www.gateshead.gov.uk     @GMBCouncil       gatesheadcouncil      5
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
NEWS

Boxing clever                                                                            Gold for‘Teesside
Boxing brothers who train at Birtley         quarter finals of his category. Well done   Tornado’
Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) did our            to all three.
region proud at the recent Gold Coast                                                    Another North East athlete also
                                             Birtley Amateur Boxing Club is based        stepped onto the winning podium
Commonwealth Games.
                                             at Birtley Young People’s Club, 12          at the Commonwealth Games.
Pat McCormack took the gold medal in         Beaconsfield Terrace.                       Let’s hear it for Richard Kilty, a
the men’s 69kg category, while his twin                                                  former Gateshead Harrier, who
                                              For more information on the
brother Luke won the bronze medal in                                                     now trains in Middlesbrough, who
                                              activities at the Young People’s Club
the men’s 64kg category.                                                                 won a gold medal in the men’s
                                              or to find out more about Birtley
Fellow Birtley boxer Calum French just        ABC call 07857 546 141 or visit their      4 x 100m relay final.
missed out on a medal, reaching the           facebook page.

Gateshead Thrive Fund                                                                    Going West
A council fund has changed the way it        income under £50,000 you can apply          If you’re aged 50+ and live in the
funds local community organisations          for a grant of between £500 and £1,500.     west of the borough, Gateshead
and social enterprises in the future.                                                    Older People’s Assembly is coming
                                             Priority will be given to projects that
Formerly known as the Gateshead              demonstrate greatest need as well           to a place near you. The charity
Fund, the Thrive Fund has refocussed         as supporting the delivery of one or        is embarking on a three-year
its funding criteria in the light of         more of the council’s five pledges          expansion project, designed to
the council’s new approach and its           (www.gateshead.gov.uk/ipledge), with        offer more opportunities for older
diminishing resources.                       funding going towards areas such as         people in West Gateshead to
                                             start-up costs, events, project costs and   socialise, exercise, and learn in their
One of the key changes is a Community                                                    local communities.
                                             purchase of ICT equipment.
Grants Programme that is open for
applications now until the end of July.       To apply complete an online form by        The assembly supports social
If you are a community and social             the end of July via the Community          groups, offers short courses, and
enterprise sector organisation based or       Foundation’s website www.                  facilitates the delivery of a range
working in Gateshead with an annual           communityfoundation.org.uk/apply           of exercise classes. Assembly
                                                                                         manager Craig Bankhead said:
                                                                                         “We’re incredibly excited about
                                                                                         this project. Every day we hear
                                                                                         from older people in the west who
    Gateshead Freeman of the Borough dies                                                want to volunteer or take part in
                                                                                         our classes but find the distance a
    Professor Paul                           He became an Honorary Freeman               barrier. We’re going to work with
    Younger, a                               of the Borough of Gateshead in              them to establish and support a
    Freeman of                               2011, before leaving the North East         programme of activities right on
    the Borough                              for a prestigious post at Glasgow           their doorstep with the aim of
    has died.                                University in 2012 as the Rankine           helping older people stay healthy,
                                             chair of energy engineering.                maintain their independence, and
    One of the                                                                           live their lives to the fullest.”
    North East’s                             Council Leader Martin Gannon said:
    leading                                  “Professor Paul Younger has had a             If you or your group would like
    scientists and academics for many        significant influence on both the             to get involved or learn more,
    years, he studied at Newcastle           regional and global stage, helping            please visit www.gatesheadopa.
    University in the early 1980s and then   to tackle what he saw as one of the           org.uk or ring 0191 438 1721.
    worked at the University from 1992       greatest challenges of our age -
    to 2012 in various roles, including      sustainability. He was regarded as
    director of the Sir Joseph Swan          one of the world’s foremost experts
    Institute for Energy Research.           in treating pollution caused by             Voluntary and
                                             mining.
    A distinguished hydrogeologist and                                                   community groups!
    environmental engineer, he was           “He made an important contribution
    leader of the team that won the          to the life of Gateshead as an              Check out help and resources
    Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher     advocate and an ambassador for the          available to you.
    Education for Newcastle University       borough.”                                   www.gateshead.gov.uk/volunteering
    in 2005.

6       Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
NEWS

New local heroes plaques in place
                                                                                             Newcastle Quays
                                                                                             Miriam Stoppard:
                                                                                             Newcastle-born doctor, author
                                                                                             and TV presenter
                                                                                             Connie Lewcock: Suffragette
                                                                                             teacher and socialist

                                                                                             Gateshead Quays
                                                                                             Brian Burnie:
                                                                                             Founder of Daft as a Brush Cancer
                                                                                             Patient Care
                                                                                             Hari Shukla CBE:
                                                                                             Former Director of the Tyne and
                                                                                             Wear Racial Equality Council,
                                                                                             Community Leader and Equality
 Our four new local heroes: Hari Shukla, Miriam Stoppard, Cynthia Baxter daughter of         Champion
 Connie Lewcock and Leslie Caislie representing Brian Burnie

NewcastleGateshead’s Walk of Fame              Burnie and Hari Shukla to be honoured       region - from entertainers to scientists,
now has four more local heroes plaques         with a bronze plaque placed along           politicians to business entrepreneurs.
in place.                                      NewcastleGateshead’s iconic quaysides.
                                                                                            For more information
                                               This brings the number of plaques to
Local people nominated Miriam                                                               www.newcastlegateshead.com/
                                               37 – all of which celebrate people who
Stoppard, Connie Lewcock, Brian                                                             localheroes
                                               have contributed in some way to our

  Heworth nears completion                                                                   Hedley Hall
                                                                                             Wood survey
  Repair works at the former Heworth           A final date for re-opening will be
  roundabout entered their final phase         announced nearer the time.                    The Woodland Trust is running a
  in April – ahead of schedule.                                                              survey about Hedley Hall Wood
                                               Repairs to the roundabout involved
  Wet weather meant that some                  the complete removal of the road              and would like your views.
  time was lost, but the essential             surface to expose the bridges                 Hedley Hall Wood is close to
  waterproofing works was completed            underneath. Last year, engineers              Sunniside with areas of ancient
  before the end of the month which            discovered water leaking through              woodland and free public access.
  meant that the final phase of the            the concrete structure of the bridges         It has over 5km of woodland paths
  works could get underway.                    indicating that the waterproof                and a range of areas to explore on
                                               membrane had failed.                          foot. Spring and early summer are
  Repair work started in January and
  was originally scheduled to last six-        If left unchecked, these leaks would          a great time to visit with plenty of
  seven months. However, the council’s         cause major structural damage as              birds and wildflowers to spot.
  street scene teams have been                 the steel reinforcing rods within the         The trust has big plans to improve
  working extended hours, weekends             concrete would become wet and                 the woodland for visitors – starting
  and bank holidays to get the work            start to rust, making them expand,            with improvements to the car park
  finished as quickly as possible.             cracking the concrete within.                 later this year. But it wants to know
  With the basic road surface now              A new waterproof membrane has now             what you think.
  replaced, this final phase will see          been applied. The works have also
                                                                                               If you’ve visited the wood
  new traffic islands constructed, new         allowed the roundabout structure to
                                                                                               before or are planning to
  street lighting columns installed,           be removed to improve traffic flows.
                                                                                               visit soon – let them know
  drainage works and work to the               This crossing has been entirely light-
                                                                                               your views by completing its
  kerbs. Once these are finished, the          controlled for some years making the
                                                                                               survey. www.woodlandtrust.
  final resurfacing will be completed          central roundabout unnecessary.
                                                                                               org.uk/visiting-woods/wood-
  and lane markings applied, allowing
                                                 www.gateshead.gov.uk/heworth                  information/hedley-hall/
  the crossing to fully re-open to traffic.

                                                                    www.gateshead.gov.uk   @GMBCouncil         gatesheadcouncil        7
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
NEWS

Award for Sage Gateshead
Sage Gateshead has won gold in
the Business Tourism category at
the prestigious VisitEngland Awards
for Excellence 2018 held at the Bath
Assembly Rooms in April.
Celebrating excellence across the
industry, Sage Gateshead received
its award from VisitEngland Advisory
Board Member and property TV show
presenter Kirstie Allsop.
The judge’s comments included: “The
famous Geordie welcome is apparent
from all staff and the Sage really is a
place that they and the country should
be proud of. It is a cultural destination
that puts Gateshead, the North East and
England firmly on the business tourism
map.”
Last year, conferences and events at          Kirstie Allsop, Jessica McCabe (Acting Head of Conference & Events at Sage Gateshead),
Sage Gateshead generated £6.7 million         Emily Taylor (PR & Communications Manager at Sage Gateshead), Allan Lambert
of economic impact to the region by           (VisitEngland Advisory Board Member)
attending delegates.

    New organisation wanted for Bill Quay Farm
    The council is looking for a                                                                   existing access for the local
    new organisation to run Bill                                                                   community.”
    Quay Community Farm.
                                                                                                   Jenny Wood, chair of Bill Quay
    The farm is currently run by                                                                   Community Farm Association
    Bill Quay Community Farm                                                                       added: “We’re very proud of
    Association, a registered                                                                      the work we’ve done over
    charity, who have operated                                                                     the last five years to keep a
    the farm on a not-for-profit                                                                   community farm in the heart
    basis since 2013. The                                                                          of Bill Quay. We’ve worked
    association is no longer able                                                                  hard with staff, students,
    to continue running the farm                                                                   volunteers, therapeutic
    so the council is looking for                                                                  clients and the public all
    a new organisation to take it                                                                  getting involved and feeling
    over on a leasehold basis.                                                                     the benefits of being close
                                                                                                   to nature. The time has now
    The working farm covers
                                                                                                   come for us to step aside and
    about 25 acres of grazing, paddocks      that is so accessible. We’re keen for
                                                                                           pass the baton to someone else.”
    and enclosures housing pigs, sheep,      this to continue.
    goats, chickens, ducks and geese.                                                      The council is currently considering
                                             “Our future vision is of a sustainable
                                                                                           all expressions of interest received for
    Anthony Alder, Gateshead Council’s       farm based venture that will offer
                                                                                           the site.
    service director for commissioning       activities for the education, health
    and neighbourhoods said: “We know        and/or well-being of residents, while          www.gateshead.gov.uk/
    how beneficial it can be for those       continuing to offer opportunities              billquayfarm
    living in urban areas to have a farm     for volunteering and safeguarding

    Want Council News in large print? We can sort that for you. 0191 433 3444.

8       Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
NEWS

Exciting development for                                                                   Help us stamp out
Hillgate Quay                                                                              fraud
                                                                                           Fraud within the public sector
                                                                                           costs the taxpayer billions every
                                                                                           year. Fraud is not a victimless crime
                                                                                           and often the people who end up
                                                                                           paying for it are you the taxpayer.
                                                                                           There are many types of fraud
                                                                                           that are committed every day.
                                                                                           This can include people claiming
                                                                                           for things they’re not entitled to
                                                                                           such as council tax reductions, free
                                                                                           school meals, grants, social care,
                                                                                           blue badges or compensation for
                                                                                           accidents that did not happen or
                                                                                           fraud committed by council tenants.
                                                                                           Businesses can also commit fraud
                                                                                           by claiming the incorrect level
                                                                                           of business rates or declare that
                                                                                           properties are empty when they’re
                                                                                           not. These all take valuable money
                                                                                           away from the council, money that
  Photo: Eyelevel Creative Ltd                                                             we should be spending on vital
                                                                                           services.
Plans to develop a key piece of land in      A Micro Brewery, Tap Room, Restaurant,        Our corporate fraud team investigate
Gateshead are underway.                      Hawkers Market and Custom Build               allegations and where necessary we
                                             Bike & Coffee Shop are just some of the       will look to prosecute offenders.
Hillgate Quay, which sits under the Tyne
                                             attractions that will feature.                 If you suspect someone is
Bridge and forms part of Gateshead
Quays, is currently being transformed        Innovative                                     committing fraud against the
into a vibrant container community                                                          council report it online www.
                                             Developers Rob Cameron and Dave                gateshead.gov.uk/corporatefraud,
housing a number of independent
                                             Stone said: “We are thrilled to have the       by email fraudreporting@
operators.
                                             opportunity to bring life to Hillgate          gateshead.gov.uk, call 0191 433
The temporary scheme will create             Quays with this exciting and innovative        2805 or write to us at Corporate
employment for over 100 people and           development, ahead of the planned              Fraud Team, Internal Audit and
is aiming to open in time for the Great      arena, conference and exhibition centre        Risk, Gateshead Council, Civic
Exhibition of the North.                     for Gateshead Quays.”                          Centre, NE8 1HH.

  NewcastleGateshead has‘Grand Designs’ on Channel 4
  Channel 4 is set to move 300 staff to                                                 Newcastle City Council leader Nick
  three hubs outside London, one being                                                  Forbes said the North East areas were
  its new national headquarters.                                                        “an ideal fit for Channel 4” adding:
  A joint bid to bring the media giant                                                  “Over the last two decades we have
  to the North East is being led by                                                     built ourselves up as the UK’s unofficial
  Newcastle and Gateshead councils.                                                     capital of culture, showing first how the
                                                                                        arts and creative sector should guide
  Council Leader Martin Gannon said he
                                                                                        major physical regeneration schemes,
  rated the area’s chances “very strongly”
                                                                                        and more recently how the growth in
  and added: “This is a great opportunity
                                                                                        the digital economy can unleash a new
  for Gateshead and Newcastle with all
                                                                                        era in our cultural story.”
  of the regeneration on either side of      Could this be the new home of Channel 4?
  the Tyne, but also for Channel 4.                                                     A decision on the location of the hubs
                                                                                        is expected later this year and it is
  “There are a number of cityscapes
                                             Harbour, New York - and Newcastle          intended they will open in 2019.
  around the world that are instantly
                                             Gateshead is right up there.”
  recognisable - Shanghai, Sydney

                                                                www.gateshead.gov.uk      @GMBCouncil        gatesheadcouncil       9
Great Exhibition of the North - 8 page pull out Know Your Councillors - Gateshead Council
LEARNING AND LIFESTYLE

June is Volunteers’ Month
                                                                                       Volunteering
                                                                                       opportunities
                                                                                       The British Red Cross needs
                                                                                       volunteers for its new ‘Home from
                                                                                       Hospital’ service. Your role will
                                                                                       be to support people returning
                                                                                       home from a stay at the Queen
                                                                                       Elizabeth Hospital. You’ll keep
                                                                                       them company and help with
                                                                                       practical things such as shopping
                                                                                       and collecting prescriptions.
                                                                                       Further details: www.redcross.
                                                                                       org.uk/get-involved/volunteer
Local volunteers take centre stage again     as well as celebrating those people who   email gatesheadhfh@redcross.
this June as we celebrate their work and     are involved already. This funding has    org.uk phone 0191 273 7961.
commitment during Volunteers’ Month          come from the Community Foundation
2018.                                        who manage the Gateshead Thrive
                                             Fund on the council’s behalf.             Kibblesworth Village
Now in its sixth year, Volunteers’ Month                                               Millennium Centre need help
gives potential volunteers the chance        To get the full picture of what’s         to run their weekly Monday
to take part in events and activities with   happening this June, and other            coffee mornings. There is a rota
the aim of getting more of us to join in     information about how you can             in place so you’d probably be
and volunteer.                               volunteer in your community, visit        needed every third Monday. The
                                             www.gateshead.gov.uk/volunteering         centre’s Kibby Clobber project also
Many local groups and organisations
have received grants for up to £500 to        For further information call             needs volunteers. This provides
help promote their activities during          0191 433 3255 or email                   second hand clothes and you’d
June in order to recruit more volunteers      katemarshall@gateshead.gov.uk            be expected to serve customers,
                                                                                       wash clothes and tidy up.
                                                                                       Further details: Emma
                                                                                       Hodgson 0191 411 1193 email

  Helping volunteers to volunteer                                                      kvmcoffice@yahoo.co.uk

  There are many ways that people                                                      Citizens Advice Gateshead is
  help their local communities without                                                 looking for volunteer advisers who
  being paid.                                                                          can offer eight hours each week
                                                                                       for at least the next 12 months.
  You might help out in a charity shop,
                                                                                       You’ll help members of the public
  run a youth group, help to keep your
                                                                                       with a range of issues such as
  local park tidy, volunteer at a food
                                                                                       problems with their landlord,
  bank, or in a museum - the list is
                                                                                       paying their bills and accessing
  endless.
                                                                                       rights at work.
  The key thing is that you are making                                                 Further details:
  a difference. But are you getting the                                                0191 440 8128 volunteering@
  most out of it, do you feel supported                                                citizensadvicegateshead.org.uk
  in what you do? Are there things
  about volunteering that you want to
  share because they are really good,
  or other things that you would like to
  see improve?                                Run by Newcastle University,
                                              the University of Northumbria
  Well don’t keep them to yourself. The
  Helping out Project wants to hear
                                              and Gateshead Council, you can           Like and follow
                                              find out more about the project
  from you, so support good practice
                                              and how to take part at: www.            @gatesheadcouncil
  and more can be shared and taken
  forward to benefit future volunteers.
                                              ourgateshead.org/helping-out/            on Facebook

10     Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
LEARNING AND LIFESTYLE

Our Foster Carers are
Very Important People
When it comes to VIPs, foster carers are    • 24 sets of foster carers who achieved
very much at the top of our list. And         their five, 10 and 15 year anniversaries
our annual Foster Carer Award Event
                                            Foster carers were also nominated
celebrated these Very Important People
                                            by colleagues, other professionals
and the fantastic job they do looking
                                            and children in their care to receive
after the children in their care.
                                            awards for going the ‘Extra mile’, being
Without them, the council would not         an ‘Unsung Hero’, an ‘Outstanding
be able to offer vulnerable children        Newcomer’ or a ‘Most Amazing Carer’.         child allowance, high quality training
safe and nurturing family homes for         The event was inspiring for all who          and support and career progression.
as long as they need them. This event       attended and it showcased the real           If you live within a 20 mile radius of
highlighted the vital work they do every    difference that foster carers make to the    Gateshead, and have the time, energy
day as well as acknowledging their          children in their care.                      and space in your home to look after
training and long service achievements.                                                  foster children, we want to hear from
                                            We are recruiting foster carers now to
This year we celebrated among other         look after children of all ages. In return   you.
things:                                     we offer a generous fostering fee and
• Recruiting 17 sets of new foster carers    You can come to our information evening on Wednesday 18 July, 5.30pm
• 11 foster carers achieved a diploma        at Gateshead Civic Centre or contact us directly on 0191 433 8333, email
  for the Children and Young People’s        fosteringandadoption@gateshead.gov.uk or visit
  workforce                                  www.gateshead.gov.uk/fostering

  Be unstoppable! National Citizen Service
   Are you 15 to 17 years-old and want to break out of your old routine this summer?
                                            Then the National Citizens Scheme (NCS) could be your ticket to a four-week
                                            adventure that could change your life.
                                            Thousands of teenagers from across the North East have already signed up but
                                            there’s still time for you to get on board.
                                            For only £50 (or £10 depending on if you get free school meals - or have other
                                            benefits coming into the household), this government funded programme
                                            worth £1,500 helps young people boost their CVs, gain more recognition with
                                            universities or simply develop new life and work skills.
                                            Kai McGill, from Gateshead said: “If I could say one thing to anyone thinking about
                                            doing NCS, I would say ‘Go for it!’ It changed my life.”

                                             A limited number of places are left. To find out more, call
                                             0191 247 4020 or visit ncsnortheast.co.uk
                                             NCS also run a condensed version of the programme
                                             during the autumn half-term.

                                              • Adventure - take part in fun activities away from home, such as canoeing
                                                and rock climbing
                                              • Discovery - develop life skills like confidence, leadership and
                                                communication
                                              • Action - deliver a community project that matters to you
                                              • Celebration – enjoy a graduation event and get a certificate signed by the
                                                Prime Minister

                                                                www.gateshead.gov.uk     @GMBCouncil         gatesheadcouncil     11
AT YOUR SERVICE

                                            Thinking of fly tipping?
                                            Think again
Do you know your rights when it             Why would you risk a fine by fly tipping,   Anneliese Hutchinson, service director
comes to flight delays?                     when the council has two waste and          for Development, Transport and
                                            recycling sites where you can take your     Public Protection, said: “It is hugely
For example, if your flight has been        unwanted rubbish? And why would             disappointing that someone could
delayed by at least three hours you         you then dump it outside someone            actually treat their own community in
may have a right to compensation.           else’s home near where you live?            this way.
This is covered by EU Regulations
and only applies if you fly from an         That’s what Laura Richardson of             “As this case demonstrates, we will
EU county or you fly from a non-            Bensham did and she’s now £500              always seek to identify fly tippers
European county to somewhere                poorer after an investigation by            whenever possible and make sure
within the EU with a European Airline       Gateshead Council.                          they are punished for the effect their
company.                                                                                activities have on the community.
                                            A local resident contacted us to
If you are delayed, you are entitled        complain that waste - including black       “It also shows that the courts consider
to care during your extended wait           bags and a plastic storage unit - had       actions such as ignoring legal orders
at an airport. This should include the      been dumped by his gate in the back         and a refusal to assist officers with their
provision of food and drink for a delay     lane between Hyde Park Street and           investigations as a very serious matter.”
exceeding two hours but may also            Whitehall Road. This was captured on
extend to being put up in a hotel.          CCTV and we were able to trace the car       View the CCTV video at:
                                            owner, Miss Richardson.                      youtu.be/Y0hs_HlBSss
If you arrive at your final destination
over three hours late, you may be           To make matters worse Miss Richardson        If you suspect fly tipping in your
entitled to compensation. How               refused to identify the person with her      area, report it online at
much depends on the flight distance.        who dumped the waste and failed to           www.gateshead.gov.uk/flytipping
(Amounts were correct at time of            attend interviews or court. This led to      or call 0191 433 7000.
going to press).                            her arrest and fine of £500.

Flight destinations within the EU
£219 for a flight up to 1500 km; £350
for a flight of more than 1500 km             New Mayor for Gateshead
Flight destinations outside the EU            Councillor Jill Green is Gateshead’s
£219 for a flight up to 1500 km; £350         new Mayor.
for a flight between 1500 km and
3500 km; £525 for a flight of more            For the past year she has been
than 3500 km                                  Deputy Mayor but now takes up
                                              the chains of office from Councillor
Some claims are rejected because of           Pauline Dillon. She will be supported
so called ‘extraordinary circumstances’,      by Councillor Rachel Mullen as her
where the reason for a delay is entirely      Deputy Mayor.
outside of the control of the airline,
such as extreme weather conditions,           Councillor Green was elected as a
acts of terrorism and medical                 councillor for Pelaw & Heworth in
emergency landings.                           2011. She has worked for Gateshead
                                              Council and Newcastle University but
Technical faults and strikes of airlines      took a career break in 2017 to focus
personnel should not be accepted                                                        The Mayor carries out many
                                              on her council duties, including her
as valid grounds for refusal of                                                         important duties including presiding
                                              role as Deputy Mayor, and her family.
compensation. Sometimes there                                                           over full meetings of the Council
are major disputes over what can              Councillor Green said: “I’ve been         and representing the borough at
validly be claimed as ‘extraordinary          very fortunate to have met lots of        civic functions. Councillor Green
circumstances’ and there is no                different people through my work,         has nominated Sight Service and
uniformity amongst the airlines as to         my role as councillor and over the        Gateshead Sea Cadets as her chosen
such classification.                          last 12 months as Deputy Mayor. This      charities.
                                              is a unique opportunity and having
 If you are subject to any flight delay                                                  For more information phone the
                                              lived in Gateshead all my life it’s a
 register a claim and if you feel it                                                     Mayor’s Secretary, 0191 433 2011
                                              huge honour to be the Mayor of
 is unjustly refused, call our fair                                                      or go to www.gateshead.gov.uk/
                                              Gateshead.”
 trading team on 0191 433 3987.                                                          mayor

12     Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
AT YOUR SERVICE

Police Cadets ready for action                                                                   Learn
                                                                                                 something new
                                                                                                 Look out for the new adult
                                                                                                 learning directory coming
                                                                                                 through your letter box this
                                                                                                 August.
                                                                                                 Packed with hundreds of learning
                                                                                                 courses starting in September, you
                                                                                                 can learn new skills to help your
                                                                                                 career or job search, or take up
                                                                                                 a new hobby from watercolours
  Cadets Lilly Chamberlain, Grace Liddle, Sarah Phillips and Logan O’hara try out their new      to learning a new language,
  equipment                                                                                      computers to keep fit.

The latest intake of Gateshead Police            • undertaking test purchasing                     You can enrol in person (details
Cadets are all kitted out for action,              (attempting to buy age-restricted               are in the directory) and online
thanks to grant funding by The                     items)                                          from Monday 2 July at
Gateshead Housing Company and                                                                      www.gateshead.gov.uk/
                                                 • working with community groups to                adultlearning or call 0191 433
Gateshead Council.
                                                   encourage engagement                            8646/6540 also from Monday
They now have litter-picking equipment,                                                            2 July, 10am-4pm.
                                                 They also help the housing company
walkie-talkies and a gazebo and
                                                 with litter-picking to improve the
flag to use at community events.
                                                 appearance of estates, small gardening
Gateshead Police Cadets support local
                                                 tasks in communal areas, and letter-
Neighbourhood Policing teams in a
                                                 drops to identify neighbourhood issues.
number of ways including:
• attending community events offering             If you are interested in joining
  crime prevention advice                         Gateshead Police Cadets,
                                                  visit the Northumbria Police
• patrolling neighbourhoods that are              website for more details
  experiencing crime and anti-social              www.careers.northumbria.police.uk
  behaviour

New opening hours for waste
and recycling centres
If you want to get rid of unwanted               But, please be aware the opening times       1 April to 30 September,
household waste, old furniture,                  of our two centres at Cowen Road and         Monday to Sunday 9am-6pm
electrical equipment, white goods and            Campground have changed. They are
more, take it to one of our waste and            both still open seven days a week, all       1 October to 31 March,
recycling centres.                               year round, except for Christmas Day,        Monday to Friday 9am-5pm;
                                                 but at the following times:                  Saturday and Sunday 9am-6pm

                                                   Remember
                                                   • Plan your visit and avoid peak times (weekends and bank holidays are
                                                     especially busy)
                                                   • Consider which materials can be recycled and re-used
                                                   • Separate your recyclables before your visit
                                                   • Wear appropriate clothing, footwear (no flip flops/sandals) and gloves
                                                   • Children and animals must stay in the vehicle at all times for their own safety

                                                  For more information contact 0191 433 7000 or visit
                                                  www.gateshead.gov.uk/recycling

                                                                      www.gateshead.gov.uk     @GMBCouncil        gatesheadcouncil     13
AT YOUR SERVICE

A wedding made in Gateshead
just got better!
                                                                                        drop in (and weddings permitting) we’ll
                                                                                        give you a guided tour of what’s on
                                                                                        offer. One couple who came to enquire
                                                                                        about getting married told us: “We had
                                                                                        no idea it would be as good as this. We
                                                                                        love the flower wall and never thought
                                                                                        we’d be able to hold our wedding in
                                                                                        such a lovely space.
                                                                                        “It’s been a real eye-opener not at all
                                                                                        what we expected. We can’t wait for the
                                                                                        big day!”

                                                                                          Value for money
                                                                                          A quality wedding service and
                                                                                          surroundings doesn’t have to cost
                                                                                          the earth – check out our costs
                                                                                          below and get in touch with us for
  The Tyne Suite entrance
                                                                                          any other information about what
If you are thinking of getting married,      a fun space for children with quirky         else we can offer to make your
but don’t want a church ceremony or          chairs, books and toys to enjoy. Nothing     wedding day extra special.
a large venue catering for hundreds          has been overlooked from glamourous          Tyne Suite
of people - we can help. Following           lighting to floral arrangements,             Suitable for up to 30 guests.
an amazing transformation of our             beautiful mirrors to a large mural of        Cost: £100 (Monday to Thursday);
marriage suites at Gateshead Civic           the quayside - it’s all been designed to     £115 (Friday and Saturday).
Centre, the first for 32 years, we think     deliver a great wedding experience.
you’ll be blown away by what we can                                                       Ravensworth Suite
                                             The two ceremony rooms - The Tyne
offer - not only in terms of the quality                                                  Suitable for up to 70 guests.
                                             Suite and Ravensworth Suite - are the
of the makeover, but at the cost which                                                    Cost: £165 (Monday to Thursday);
                                             perfect mix of modern and traditional
starts at just £100.                                                                      £185 (Friday and Saturday).
                                             complete with subtle sparkling walls,
Quality                                      great lighting for photographers, and        Note: other rooms (not located
“Just because you want to hold a small       seating for guests complete with covers      within Registrars) are also available
wedding and don’t have a large budget        and bows.                                    at Gateshead Civic Centre. The
doesn’t mean you should compromise                                                        Blaydon Room (for up to 40 guests),
                                             But don’t take our word for it. Call in
on quality,” said Council Leader Martin                                                   the Lamesley Room (for up to 50
                                             and have a look around yourself. Just
Gannon. We’re delighted with the                                                          guests) and Bewicks (for 60-300
changes that have been made and                                                           guests)
the feedback from people has been
fantastic. Your wedding day is one
to remember and now we have the
backdrop and surroundings that will
make any couple and their families feel
special.
“People think they know what to expect
if they get married in a registry office,
but it’s time to think again, and I’d urge
anyone who is looking to get married,
                                                                                         For more information on getting
to call in and see the changes we’ve
                                                                                         married at Gateshead Civic Centre or
made.”
                                                                                         for details about civic partnerships,
So what has changed? Lots! From the                                                      wedding reaffirmation and baby
moment you walk into Registrars, the                                                     naming ceremonies, please call
environment is modern, welcoming                                                         0191 433 3000 email registeroffice@
and bright. From a fantastic flower wall       The beautiful flower wall in the          gateshead.gov.uk or visit:
                                               reception area
to a relaxing waiting area - there’s even                                                www.gateshead.gov.uk/registrars

14     Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
JOBS AND ECONOMY

Healthy food to go
A new concept in fast-food is                                                                gymnasiums and entertainment as
tempting the taste buds of busy                                                              well as a host of thriving businesses
Gateshead shoppers and workers                                                               nearby.”
who want value for money, healthy
                                                                                             Food is served in disposable and
nutritious food.
                                                                                             recyclable containers. In warmer
NU To GO is a contemporary café in                                                           weather there is also an extensive
Trinity Square, set up by Chloe Wilson                                                       outside area for more seating.
and partner, Darren Appleton.
                                                                                             Chloe (a graduate of Northumbria
Based on personal experience and                                                             University) and Darren have been
extensive research, they identified                                                          supported in their efforts by the
a gap in the market that was not                                                             university’s Student and Graduate
currently being met.                          prefer that meal to be healthy – but           Enterprise Service. This provides free
                                              there was nowhere to get this - so we          enterprise skills training and start-up
Chloe explained: “Unsurprisingly, many
                                              decided to meet this need and set              support for the university’s students
people do not have the time to prepare
                                              up NU To GO and change people’s                and graduates.
meals, preferring the convenience of
grabbing a takeaway or ready meal. But        stereotypical views of health food.”
                                                                                             NU To GO is located at 208 High
this doesn’t mean they would always           Perfect                                        Street NE8 1BW and is open
opt for the traditional fast food of chips,
                                              The café opened in April and is proving        Monday-Friday, 8am-5.30pm;
pizzas and burgers. In fact our research
                                              a hit so far. Chloe said: “The location in     Saturday 10am-3pm. Closed Sunday.
showed that many people, including
                                              Trinity Square is perfect for us. There is     Visit www.nutogo.com for more
families with young children, would
                                              an excellent range of shops, restaurants,      details.

  Gateshead’s new generation
  Everyone benefits from a helping                                                         “The council offered us access to
  hand and if you have a business idea                                                     studio space and we have an office
  or need help to get started – it’s even                                                  at Gateshead International Business
  more vital.                                                                              Centre, which has recently been
                                                                                           refurbished and looks fantastic.
  One man who knows all about this
  is Alexander Henderson, managing                                                         The support I received from the
  director at Gateshead-based NewGen                                                       council and at the centre was, and
  Creative. He told us about how his                                                       continues to be, exceptional. They
  creative media business is thriving                                                      care about the businesses in the
  and how Gateshead Council and                                                            region and would do anything to help
  Gateshead College helped him along                                                       NewGen Creative reach its next step.
  the way.
                                                                                           “Your work is going to fill a huge
  Amazing                                                                                  part of your life, and the only way to
                                                                                           be truly satisfied is to do what you
  “It’s been three years since I took the
                                                                                           believe is great work. The only way to
  life-changing decision to establish my
                                                                                           do great work is to do what you love
  own business and what an amazing
                                                                                           and the good news is that there is
  few years they’ve been; I’ve had the
                                                                                           support out there to help you.“
  opportunity to work on well-known
  TV shows including Downton Abbey,             Alexander Henderson NewGen Creative
  Dickinson’s Real Deal and Beowulf.                                                        If you’re a student and want to
                                                                                            explore your entrepreneurial side,
  “I wouldn’t be in the position I am in      experience in further editing and pre-        talk to your college.
  now if it wasn’t for Gateshead College      production logistics.                         If you have a business idea but
  and Gateshead Council.                                                                    don’t know how to get started,
                                              “More importantly, they completely
  “I established the business while           encouraged my entrepreneurial spirit,         talk to Gateshead Council.
  studying TV and film production.            taking me to business events and              Contact 0191 433 2803 or email
  Although I already had a background         talks and even linking me up with             info@gatesheadbusiness.co.uk
  in video production, the college            Gateshead Council so we could get off
  provided me with invaluable                 the ground.

                                                                  www.gateshead.gov.uk      @GMBCouncil         gatesheadcouncil     15
JOBS AND ECONOMY

£120 million for North                                                                   Business Gateshead
East businesses
                                                                                         When it comes to helping new
                                                                                         businesses get started, supporting
                                                                                         existing ones to grow, or attracting
                                                                                         new businesses to the borough, the
Small and medium sized businesses                                                        council’s business team are on the case.
(SMEs) are being urged to check out the
                                                                                         They offer support and advice
North East Fund to help them achieve
                                                                                         ranging from locations to
their goals and help them grow.
                                                                                         recruitment, funding advice to
This £120 million investment                                                             training, providing local knowledge,
programme is available to SMEs across                                                    research and statistics to help
the North East Local Enterprise Area                                                     any business invest and grow in
which includes Gateshead. Companies                                                      Gateshead.
relocating to the area may also be eligible.
                                                                                         In 2017/18, this resulted in:
There are five funds, each with a                                                        • The creation of 637 new jobs
different investment focus to suit the
                                                                                         • The safeguarding of 538 jobs
needs of the business:
                                                                                         • £28 million of private sector
•   Innovation Fund                                                                        investment
•   Venture Fund                                                                         • 23 people setting up their own
•   Capital Development Fund                                                               business through the New
•   Growth Capital Fund                         If you are interested in finding out       Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
•   Small Loan Fund                             more visit www.northeastfund.org          For more information and how
                                                                                          the team can help your business
                                                                                          visit www.gatesheadbusiness.
    Charity supports women’s enterprise                                                   co.uk

    Encouraging women in business              Sarah Miller, CEO of The Millin Charity
    got a boost recently with the              added: “Our aim is to get women’s
    appointment of The Millin Charity to       enterprise firmly on the agenda in        Approval for £12.5
    support female entrepreneurship in         Gateshead.                                million office scheme
    the borough.
                                               “We have a dedicated female
                                                                                         Gateshead Council has approved
    Cabinet Member for Economy                 team who have over 30 years’ joint
                                                                                         plans for a £12.5m office
    Councillor John Adams explained:           experience of supporting women
                                                                                         development that could bring
    “The proportion of self-employed           to gain financial independence,
                                                                                         around 600 jobs to the borough.
    females in Gateshead is lower than         increase their confidence, skills and
    the national average. The council          knowledge; and start their own            The development, to be located
    is committed to giving women the           business.                                 near the iconic Gateshead Quays,
    support they need to thrive and help                                                 is the borough’s first new Grade A
                                               “Please get in touch with us if you’d
    to remove the barriers many women                                                    office development for ten years.
                                               like to tell us about existing business
    are known to experience when
                                               support that could help women in          Council Leader Martin Gannon
    setting up business.
                                               Gateshead or if you would like more       said: “This will make a significant
    “The Millin Charity has had proven         information about the project.”           contribution to the need for high
    success with the ‘Local Women,                                                       quality office space in the borough,
    Local Enterprise’ programme and I’m         For further information visit            and is another step forward to
    excited to see how this is rolled out in    www.themillincharity.co.uk               us achieving our vision for the
    the community.”                                                                      broader Gateshead Quays.”
                                                                                         The building will be offered
                                                                                         for lease by BNP Paribas Real
    Queen’s Award for Gateshead firm                                                     Estate who are looking to attract
                                                                                         businesses that employ between
    Team Valley based firm, Gate 7, has been awarded a Queen’s Award for                 50 to 500 employees.
    Enterprise International Trade - one of six business in our region to be
                                                                                         The space will be available from
    honoured.
                                                                                         late 2019.
    Now in their 52nd year, the Queen’s Awards are the most prestigious business
                                                                                          For further information contact
    awards in the country and this is the second time Gate 7 has received this
                                                                                          Aidan Baker at BNP Paribas on
    award, winning its first in 2009.
                                                                                          0191 227 5737.

16       Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
HEALTH MATTERS

Healthy Eating on the go                                                                Take the test
A key campaign by Public Health
England aims to get us to thinking                                                      This June (11-17) marks Cervical
about and choosing healthier options –                                                  Screening Awareness week and
particularly when eating on the go.                                                     women up and down the UK are
                                                                                        being urged to‘take the test’.
We all know we should be eating
healthier, but food offers and                                                          That’s the message from Jo’s Cervical
convenient snacks on supermarket                                                        Cancer Trust – the only UK charity
shelves make it harder for lots of us to                                                dedicated to women affected by
eat a healthier diet. But if we continue                                                cervical cancer who are leading this
to go down this route, we put ourselves    That’s: 400 calories for breakfast           national campaign.
at greater risk of cancer, stroke, heart           600 calories for lunch               Cervical screening prevents 75
stroke, heart, respiratory and liver               600 calories for dinner              per cent of cervical cancers from
disease.                                                                                developing, yet one in four women
                                           For most people, grabbing lunch is
When we are out and about it’s easy to     the norm - but consuming too many            don’t attend – don’t be one of them!
eat more than we should - on average       calories is unfortunately easier than        If you have received an invitation to
in the UK, we’re eating up to 300 extra    people may think. Something as               have a smear test from your GP – it’s
calories per day. In Gateshead our         common as a meal deal of a sandwich, a       really important to attend. So if you’ve
current data shows that nearly 70 per      sugary soft drink and a packet of crisps     had that letter don’t ignore it, take
cent of adults are overweight or obese.    can contain around 800 calories.             action and take the test.
Getting Started                            To help you, major retailers are involved
With all this in mind how do you start     in the campaign and are providing a             • Every year in the UK,
reducing your calorie intake, your         range of options to help shoppers find            around 3,000 women will
waistline and your health risks? Visit     400 and 600 calorie meals.                        be diagnosed with cervical
www.nhs.uk/oneyou/be-healthier/eat-                                                          cancer
                                            For more information
better, there’s lots of useful guidance     on the campaign and                            • Cervical cancer is the most
including the campaign’s key message.       tips to get started                              common cancer in women
Aim for 400-600-600 to help you stay on     visit www.nhs.uk/                                aged 35 and under
track at mealtimes – leaving room for a     oneyou/be-healthier/eat-better
couple of healthy snacks and drinks.                                                       • Screening prevents 75 per
                                                                                             cent of cervical cancers
                                                                                             from developing

  Growing Healthy in Gateshead                                                             It’s not thought to be
                                                                                           hereditary, 99.7 per cent of
  From 1 July this year, Public Health                                                     cases are caused by the HPV
  Nursing Services in Gateshead                                                            virus – around 80 per cent of
  (Health Visiting, School Nursing and                                                     sexually active adults will be
  the Family Nurse Partnership) will be                                                    infected with some type of
  provided by Harrogate and District       The service will also help to protect           HPV in their lives. However,
  NHS Foundation Trust.                    children from serious illness and               for the majority this does not
                                           disease by checking children have               lead to cervical cancer.
  Staff in the service will continue to    had their immunisations.
  be based in Gateshead and offer
  the same level of support that           Suzanne Lamb, Head of Children’s               For more information about the
  children, young people and families      Public Health Nursing at Harrogate             campaign and to view the
  are currently receiving. The Service     and District NHS Foundation                    charity’s campaign video visit
  will be delivered under the brand of     Trust, said: “This is an exciting              www.jostrust.org.uk
  Growing Healthy Gateshead from           opportunity for us to deliver a high
  1 July 2018.                             quality Growing Healthy service in
                                           Gateshead to children, young people
  Growing Healthy Gateshead will           and their families.
  have a clear focus on prevention and
                                           “We have a shared responsibility with
  early intervention and offer support
                                           our partners, particularly Gateshead
  around areas such as breastfeeding,
                                           Council, to work with children, young
  healthy weight, emotional health
                                           people and their families to keep
  and wellbeing, children ready to start
                                           them safe, promote resilience and
  school, minor illnesses and accidents,
                                           emotional wellbeing, reduce risk and
  keeping safe and healthy lifestyles.
                                           prevent problems from escalating.”

                                                              www.gateshead.gov.uk     @GMBCouncil         gatesheadcouncil     17
HEALTH MATTERS

Major obesity conference                                                                Stay safe
The Association for the Study of
Obesity (ASO) has confirmed that
                                            Newcastle University’s Armstrong
                                            Building on 6-7 September, to hear the
                                                                                        in the sun
NewcastleGateshead will be the host         latest research on the prevention and       If we get a hot summer this year,
destination for its 5th UK Congress on      treatment of obesity.                       it’s vital that you protect your skin
Obesity (UKCO), confirming our area’s                                                   and eyes against the heat. Each
                                            Paul Szomoru, head of business events
reputation for hosting high-profile                                                     year, around 2,200 people die from
                                            at NewcastleGateshead Convention
medical conferences.                                                                    skin cancer. Protecting skin from
                                            Bureau, said: “We’re delighted to
                                                                                        the sun’s ultraviolet rays can help
Over 200 of the UK’s leading obesity        welcome the exciting line up of
                                                                                        prevent these cancers. You can do
researchers, clinicians, health care        speakers and delegates who are
                                                                                        this by:
professionals and academics from            coming here to discuss this important
around the country will travel to           subject, which presents such a big          • Spending time in the shade
the event, which will take place at         challenge for us in the western world.        between 11am and 3pm
                                            “What’s more, the conference couldn’t       • Making sure you never burn.
                                            be happening at a more exciting time
                                            as it will take place during the Great      • Wearing a hat and sunglasses
                                            Exhibition of the North, England’s            that offer 100% UV protection
                                            biggest event for 2018, so delegates are
                                            sure to enjoy a fantastic experience.”      • Remembering to take extra care
                                                                                          with children
 The public will also get a change to listen to experts, ask questions and discuss
 obesity issues at an event on 4 September. For details about this and more go          • Using factor 15+ sunscreen
 to www.newcastlegateshead.com

  Coping with Dementia                                                                 Dementia Café
  A dementia advice service is proving      “We’ve seen a high demand for
  to be a positive and productive           the service since it began in 2015,
  support for people in Gateshead with      and with the number of people in
  dementia.                                 Gateshead with the illness predicted
                                            to increase by 36 per cent over the
  Run by Citizens’ Advice Gateshead,
                                            next 10 years, services such as ours
  the service provides tailored advice
                                            are vital.”
  and support, helping people with
  dementia, their carers and families.      Margaret’s story
  Dementia advice specialist Lisa           Margaret, who is in her late 60s,          Helping to reduce social isolation,
  Douglas from the service explained:       would agree. A Gateshead resident,         a Dementia Café - which runs on
  “We know it can be very difficult         Margaret was referred to the service       the last Monday of the month at
  for people and the families of those      by the Alzheimer’s Society. With           the HUB Family Church on Swan
  diagnosed with dementia to cope           no family in the area, and living          Street - is another lifeline for those
  with both the diagnosis as well as the    alone, she couldn’t cope and was           affected with dementia. It offers a
  emotional distress.                       in debt, had experienced a number          safe and relaxing space with music
                                            of falls, and needed help following        and activities on offer including
  “Our service provides support,
                                            an unsuccessful claim for financial        hand massages courtesy of LUSH
  information, advice and guidance to
                                            assistance as part of her Personal         Gateshead.
  help people understand their rights
                                            Independence Plan (PIP).
  and responsibilities and has received                                                The café welcomes all and if you
  outstanding reviews, with one client      The service helped her with the PIP        can help in anyway or provide an
  proclaiming, ‘You’ve been such a big      appeal with the result that she was        activity please get in touch with Lisa
  help. I couldn’t have navigated the       awarded £172 extra a week in benefits      at the Dementia Advice Service.
  system without you’.                      as well as Council Tax exemption and
                                            more.                                      The café is run with support from
                                                                                       the Big Lottery Awards for All fund
     To find out more about the Dementia Advice Service which is based in              and is managed by Citizens Advice
     The Davidson Building, Swan Street, please contact Lisa at Citizens Advice        Gateshead’s Community Interest
     Gateshead. Phone 0191 478 5100 or email lisad@citisensadvicegateshead.            Company, Gateshead Enterprises.
     org.uk www.citizensadvicegateshead.org.uk

18     Gateshead Council News Summer 2018
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