Thank you for attending our 33rd AGM

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Pictured, left to right: Annie Bishop, Adapt (NE) Vice Chair, Liz Prudhoe, Director, Lorraine Hershon, Chair and Lucia Bridgeman, High Sheriff of Northumberland.

Thank you to everyone who attended our 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, 14 November. It was lovely to welcome many new and familiar faces to the meeting at our hub on Burn Lane, Hexham. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and our plans for the future, from transport to our Cafe @ Burn Lane. We hope to welcome you to our next AGM!

Photo of people sat in the room, with a presentation on the wall.

You can now read our 2023-24 Annual Report here. You can view the AGM presentation here.

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Annual Report 2023-24

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In review of the last year, Liz Prudhoe, Director says:

“As we look back on April 2023 to March 2024, it is reassuring to recognise we are continuing to deliver on our aims, sustainably building on our work and adding new services. This year we welcomed North Shields Primary Care Network Social Prescribing Service to our social prescribing offer.

We continued to develop Northumberland Learning Disability Network working with partner organisations and groups who provide services for people with learning disabilities. We continued to work with our partners across the North East on the ‘Good Life Collaborative’, a partnership for organisations working for people who are learning disabled to develop new services.

It feels a good while since the COVID-19 pandemic, although we recognise that COVID is still very much active. It is pleasing to witness our offices being a hub of activity again with lots of people returning to face to face meetings, although it is fair to say that work patterns have changed and there is greater flexibility for staff.

Café @ Burn Lane has welcomed customers old and new; it has however, felt the impact of the cost of living crisis due to the rising cost of food. Nevertheless, we have worked hard to keep prices in the cafe as low as possible.

We feel we have lots to look forward to in 2024/2025 and plan to continue what we are doing and keep developing services as we go. I wish to record my thanks to all of our board members for their continued support and guidance, and to our staff who are committed to their roles and work hard throughout the year.”

Read more in our Annual Report 2023-24 or download a pdf version.

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Adapt is a member of the national Safe Places scheme

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Safe Places is a scheme that gives people a place of safety if needed when out and about in their local community. If you:

  • Feel anxious
  • You are lost
  • You have lost something (e.g. bus pass, wallet, phone)
  • You have been bullied
  • You are upset or worried

Come to reception and we will try our best to help you. We are designated as a Safe Place. This service is free-to-use and confidential. We can contact somebody on your behalf, or if we can’t help directly, we will try to find someone who can.

If you would like more information, you can visit the Safe Places website or call us at Adapt on 01434600599.

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The value of listening: Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Report 2023-24

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Healthwatch Northumberland is our local, independent health and social care champion. Adapt (NE) have delivered the Healthwatch function for Northumberland since it began in 2013.

This year over 12,000 people shared their experiences of health and social care services, helping to raise awareness of issues and improve care, or came to Healthwatch Northumberland for clear advice and information about topics such as mental health and the cost of living crisis. The team published 20 reports about the improvements people would like to see in health and social care services. Read about the work and impact of Healthwatch Northumberland over the last 12 months in the Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Report 2023-24.

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Hexham audio book group

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The audio book group is a free, friendly group for anyone who has difficulty reading, due to visual impairments or other challenges.

The group meets at Hexham Library in the Queen’s Hall on the last Thursday of the month (except August), at 2.00pm.

For more information or to join the group please email info@hexhambookfestival.co.uk.

 

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Vision Northumberland Hexham drop-in

Vision Northumberland drop-in event, Cafe @ Burn Lane, Hexham,

Wednesday 31 January 2024 10am – 12pm

  • Do you need the TV volume turned up high?
  • Can you no longer read your favourite book?
  • Are you missing parts of conversations?
  • Unable to read labels when you go shopping?

Call in to meet the Vision Northumberland team at this free drop-in, and and see how they can assist you with your vision and hearing loss. Find out more about the equipment, support and activities on offer to people living in Northumberland. For more details call Vision Northumberland on 01670 514316.

This event has now passed.

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Volunteer with Healthwatch Northumberland

We have some fantastic volunteering opportunities for 2024 at Healthwatch Northumberland.
As health and social care champion for people in Northumberland who use these services, you can help us improve care by making sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear the views and experiences of residents.

As a Healthwatch Northumberland volunteer you can:
  • Volunteer as much or as little time as you want
  • Make a difference to NHS health and social care in your community
  • Improve your own health and wellbeing
  • Develop your skills and knowledge
  • Add valuable experience to your CV and increase your employability
  • Meet new people and be part of a supportive team
  • Be involved in something positive!

What can you choose to get involved in?

  • Listening to local people’s views and experiences of health and care services
  • Signposting people to local services and support groups
  • Carrying out public surveys
  • Being the eyes and ears of local communities
  • Mystery shopping
  • Administration support
  • Proofreading
  • Research support and report writing
  • Communications and digital support

Volunteering with Healthwatch Northumberland is flexible – you can offer as much or as little time as you wish, either on a regular or one-off basis. Some volunteering work can even be done from home in your own time. You won’t have to work alone and no experience is necessary. You will be well supported, working as part of a friendly team. We welcome anyone with or without relevant experience – training will be provided.It won’t cost you anything but time! Appropriate expenses, including travel costs, will be paid.

For more information visit the Healthwatch Northumberland website.

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