What We Do
Making Serious Stuff Fun - We focus on improving the health and well-being of children and young people in the North East. So, how do we make a difference to people's lives and how can we help you? For over 30 years we have worked with amazing people in the North East to achieve great things.
How we address need:
We want all North East children and young people to be happy and healthy. We want them to feel loved, respected, feel they have a voice and are heard. We achieve this by focusing on 3 things ;
1. Early Years
Baby Box Project
Our baby box is all about supporting babies in the North East to have the best start in life. The box has a unique focus on baby development and is packed full of developmentally stimulating books and toys. It includes essentials like a changing mat, bath towel, and first toothbrush to get families started with baby care.
2. Mental Health
Story Chair Project
We deliver story telling sessions in the Children’s Outpatients department of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. Tom our expert story teller attends once a fortnight and reads stories and leads craft activities with children and families waiting for outpatient’s appointments or attending regular clinics. These activities help to distract the children, reducing any boredom or anxiety they may be feeling. This not only helps the families but also the medical staff, as carrying out any necessary tests and checks are much easier when the children are calm and relaxed.
Parents say
Tom was amazing with my daughter. He made us feel very welcome. He has fantastic energy and is very friendly
Children Say
‘I have had a fantastic time’ Blake Age 7
Children's Community Allotment
Our Children’s community allotment is made up of two plots at Coxlodge allotments in Fawdon. We run 2 projects from the allotment
Weekly Drop in sessions
These sessions are relaxed drop in sessions for children and young people. Activities are child led and cover a range of gardening and craft activities. These sessions run from Early April to the end of October
Roots to Health
This project supports groups of young people over 12 weeks to achieve a level one award in Practical Horticulture from City and Guilds. Roots to Health is open to all young people, with a particular focus on those who may be struggling with mainstream education on a reduced timetable or at risk of exclusion. The project accepts referrals from schools, community groups and individuals.
To find out more:
Fuzzy Subjects!
Mental health workshops in primary schools using fuzzy puppets as a tool to engage children and young people in the subject of mental health and well-being, increasing awareness, understanding and resilience in young people.
One to One Mentoring
These sessions are delivered by our youth work team and offer 1 to 1 support for young people. These young people are referred to us either by professionals working with the young person or their families.
In the initial referral meeting the young person sets 2-3 goals then in the following 12 sessions we support them to achieve these goals, reviewing the process throughout.
3. Physical Health
Couch to 2K
Couch to 2K has a focus on improving young people’s fitness, health and well-being. Our Youth Workers support young people to run once a week in a local park or green space, building up to a timed 2K at the end of 6 weeks. To encourage participation and remove barriers for young people to get involved, each young person receives a Start Fitness voucher to purchase sports clothes, trainers etc. They also receive a basic fit-bit watch, t-shirt and medal. Referrals can be made my health professionals, schools and families.
Holiday trips & Activities
During the school holidays we run trips and visits for children and young people. We run a variety of activities responding to suggestions of the young people we have been working with. The trips typically include water sports activities, visits to various gardens and other fun activities. The aim is to give the young people a chance to stay active and keep in touch with their friends.