Suffering from a physical health barrier is often a restrictive issue that impacts a person’s day to day life. It’s easy to feel isolated and alone.
Although everyone feels their health in a unique way, more often than not, there are services across Tyne & Wear which are designed to help you learn to manage your issues and meet people who understand what you’re going through.
We’ve created a list of health services and groups in Tyne and Wear which support different issues:
Diabetes
The Sunderland Diabetes Group
Washington Diabetes Group
0191 4166 202 or contact here
South Tyneside Diabetes Group
stsgfordiabetes@gmail.com or call their Chair, Maria Ward, on 0191 4277953
Gateshead Diabetes Group
0191 4210936 brianwatson21@yahoo.com
Newcastle Diabetes groups are held in the following locations
- Newcastle Milna Julna Community
- Newcastle Muslim Centre Community
- Newcastle Ravita Community
- Newcastle Sukh Dukh Community
- Newcastle Wah Hong Community
For more details about these contact the team on 01325 488606 or northyorks@diabetes.org.uk
Cardiac and Heart Issues
Stepping Stones, Cardio Support Group
Venue address:
West Denton Fire Station Social Club, West Denton Way, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2RB 3
Freeman Cardiac Rehabilitation Fund
Venue address:
Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN 4
Newcastle Heart Support Group
Call Alexander on 0166 182 3803 to find out more
Venue address:
Fawdon Fitness Centre, Rowan Drive, Fawdon, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3TR
The group meet on Thursdays 5.30pm to 6.30pm
South Tyneside Heart Support Group
Venue address:
South Tyneside District Hospital, Gymnasium, Harton Lane, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 0PL
The group meet on Fridays 5.00pm to 6.00pm
The Sunderland Cardiac Support Group
Call Barry on 0191 565 6892 to find out more
Venue address:
Bethany Church, Bede Tower, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR2 7EA
Washington Young at Heart
Call Anne on 0191 417 8378 to find out more
Venue address:
Wessington Primary School, Lanercost, Glebe, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE38 7PY
The group meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.00pm to 8.00pm with informal group meetings after the Thursday session
Shotley Bridge Heart Support Group
Call Paul on 0120 756 1232 to find out more
Venue address:
Consett Sports Center, Bell View, Consett, Durham, DH8 6LZ Group
The group meet on Mondays 11.30am to 12.30pm (except Bank Holidays), Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10.30am to 11.30am and on Fridays 11.30am to 12.30pm
Chester-Le-Street Exercise and Support Group
Venue address:
The Hermitage School, Waldridge Lane, DH2 3AD
Call the heart helpline 0300 330 3311 for more details about any of the groups
Stroke
Sunderland & Gateshead Communication Support Services @ Digital House
Contact name: Rebecca Girvan
Contact email: rebecca.girvan@stroke.org.uk
Contact number: 01914 978324
Speech After Stroke in South Tyneside
Meetings held at:
- St Marys Court
South Eldon Street
South Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE33 5AE - Chuterede Community Centre
Galsworthy Road
South Shields
Tyne & Wear
Contact Pat Thompson 0191 4565159 for more information
Aphasia
NETA (North East Trust for Aphasia)
Telephone: 0191 222 8550
Email: aphasia@ncl.ac.uk
Lung Issues/COPD
Breathe Easy groups
Support groups open to anyone with a lung condition, their friends, families and carers. They are a friendly way to meet up with other people who have lung conditions and learn more about managing your condition.
Meetings:
- 1st Monday of every month at 1.30pm at Benfield Park Medical Group, Benfield Road NE6 4QD
- 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1pm at Denton Burn Community Association, Slatyford Lane NE5 2UQ
Call 03000 030 555 for more information
South Tyneside Lung Health Choir
An all abilities group to support people with breathing difficulties of all kinds.
Meetings:
Tuesdays 4:30pm – 5:30pm weekly from 19th June at St Hilda’s Chruch, Market Place, South Shields.
Contact Sharon Durant on 07967652132 for more details.
Motor Neurone Disease
Newcastle Motor Neurone Disease Support Group
Regular meetings are held at the Marie Curie Centre. Access the support meeting group calendar here.
Osteoporosis
Newcastle Support Group
Brunswick Methodist Church Hall
Brunswick Place
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7BJ
(unless otherwise stated)
For further information please contact:
Chairman: Barbara Purvis: 01912814058
Joan Graham: 0191 488 1078
Jill Beaumont | Development Manager for Northern England: 07841 422078 or email j.beaumont@nos.org.uk
Huntington’s Disease
Newcastle Support Group
Meetings are held on the first Sunday of every month 2pm-4pm at:
Walkergate Park
Benfield Road
Newcastle
NE6 4QD
Find out more: email enquires@hdanenewcastle.org.uk for more information
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Support group and social meetings
Search for local groups and meetings for other MS sufferers on the MS Society website
Pituitary Conditions
Regular meetings are held in the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Contact Area Co-ordinator Martin Crosby for details:
Mobile: 07476 582 299
email: crosbys@hotmail.co.uk
Hard of Hearing/Visual Impairment/Speech
Newcastle Deaf Centre
The Newcastle Deaf Centre Social and Sports Club meets on a Sunday evening, 7 pm – 10:30 pm.
Contact ncdeafsocialclub@hotmail.co.uk for more information
North Tyneside Sensory Service
Call 0191 6433030 or email suzanne.monaghan@northtyneside.gov.uk
Stammering Support Group
Based at Royal Victoria Infirmary Newcastle, at the Speech Therapy waiting room, Rehabilitation corridor, Level 2 , New Victoria Wing.
The group is open to any adults who live in the Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland area. Please contact Jamie for further information, including dates and times of the meetings and directions.
Contact Jamie Taylor jamietaylor2@yahoo.co.uk for details
Deaflink offers a range of services including forums and Support groups each month
Telephone: 0191 281 2314
Email: admin@deaflink.org.uk
General Disability Support
Angling 4 All – Get Fishing
Find out more about the activities tailored to people with disabilities here or contact johnaisbitt@gateshead.gov.uk
S.I.G.N (Social Inclusion Gardening Network), renamed The Whinnies Community Gardens
Contact Sandra/Chris on 07922 833314/07530 849329
- Activity Centre
Available to people of all ages, a variety of things are on offer and are free to use. Call Amanda Head on 0191 267 8118 or email amanda.head@stcuthbertscare.org.uk for more information
- Short Breaks Centre
Offering a range of specially tailored short breaks. Call Jackie Dunn, on 0191 267 8128 or email her at jackie.dunn@stcuthbertscare.org.uk for more information
A service offering free tandem bike hire for people with disabilities to be able to enjoy cycling. Contact them here for more information.
The Cowgate People Centre,
Houghton Avenue,
Cowgate, Newcastle,
NE5 3UT.
Offering a wide range of activities and support for a range of people, including helping with functional skills, employability skills, and much more. Visit their website for details of what’s on offer.
Contact adam.bird@journeyenterprises.co.uk or call 0191 484 1290
The Drop in Band
Live music session for people with learning disabilities.
It’s on every Wednesday and Friday between 1.45pm and 3.15pm at Byker Community Centre. The Drop in Band costs – £5 per person (support-free).
If you would like to book a free taster session to try out one of the studios or a group session, contact Brian or Gary on 0191 265 9341.
Over 50’s Exercise
A range of different workouts for different abilities. Visit their website for the activity schedule.
Walking Football
Play football despite physical limitations. This is held 1pm – 2pm every Wednesday until September. Tea or coffee is provided after the session.
Call 0191 5368085 for more details.
Do you know about a group that should be on this list? Contact maria.baranowska@motw.org.uk with further details.
Are you currently unemployed, suffering from a health barrier and looking for advice on how to get into work, training, or volunteering? Contact us to find out how we can help.