Could you be a Travel Champion?

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The Travelling with Confidence project is coming to Hexham!

We’re looking for two Travel Champions with a learning disability to help us roll out the Travelling with Confidence scheme in the area.

Hours: 4.5 hours a week. This is fixed for three months but a three-month extension may be possible.

Salary: You will be paid £248.23 per month.

Travel Champions will be employed on a three-month contract with the possibility of a three-month extension.

Travel Champions will work together to raise awareness about our Travel with Confidence project. This will involve:

  • Planning and delivering workshops
  • Visiting community groups and other organisations
  • Plan and carry our transport Quality Checks in your local area. This will involve traveling on different types of transport to see how accessible and welcoming they are.
  • Share what you find out with transport providers – these are people who run the buses, metros and trains.
  • Talk to people with learning disabilities who do our Travel Training to find out what they think about the training.

You will be one of a team of three people with learning disabilities.

You will get support to do your job from a Project Support Worker.

You will get training to do your job.

We will pay for travel that you do as part of your job.

Read the Travelling with Confidence Travel Champion job description.

 

To apply, please email Lucy Simper: lucys@adapt-tynedale.org.uk, with some information about yourself and your experience of using public transport.

The closing date for applications is 30 June 2026.

If you have a question about this role please call Lucy on 07944 993826.

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Chris is travelling with confidence

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Travelling with Confidence Project Coordinator Frank accompanied learner Chris from Northern Butterflies on a supported journey to Whitley Bay using public transport.

Travelling with Confidence is a project funded by the Mobility Foundation to help people with a learning disability and autistic people gain travel independence.

The day began in Cramlington, where Chris confidently boarded the 57A bus from Dudley Lane shops. He successfully signalled the bus to stop, boarded correctly, found a seat, and pressed the stop button at the right time when they reached West Monkseaton. Before leaving the bus, Chris remembered to thank the driver, demonstrating excellent travel etiquette and growing confidence in using public transport independently.

At West Monkseaton Metro Station, Chris took the lead by using the ticket machine to purchase Metro tickets for both himself and Frank. After a short wait for the Metro, they travelled two stops to Whitley Bay.

Once they arrived, Chris used Google Maps to navigate the route to a local fish and chip shop, where they enjoyed lunch together. Afterward, he again used Google Maps to guide them to the amusement arcade, showing his increasing confidence in using technology to plan and complete journeys.

During their visit to the amusements, Chris enjoyed playing the 2p machines and had a game of bowling. He also treated himself to an ice cream before the journey home.

Later in the afternoon, Chris and Frank walked to the bus stop on Park Avenue to begin their return journey. Although the bus was around ten minutes late, they left Whitley Bay at approximately 1:30pm and arrived back at Manor Walks at around 2:20pm.

Overall, the supported journey was a great success. Throughout the day, Chris demonstrated a range of travel skills, including using buses and the Metro, purchasing tickets, navigating with digital maps, and travelling safely and confidently. While Chris has decided that he does not wish to take part in any further supported journeys, he particularly enjoyed using the Metro and would like to use it more often in the future.

Well done to Chris on a successful and enjoyable day of independent travel learning!

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Share ideas for Tynedale bus services

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Tynedale residents are invited to share their ideas on local bus services at a Hexham event later in the month.

The event takes place at Hexham Library on Saturday 27 June, from 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

The first hour will be for residents to ask questions of bus company representatives, public transport officers and county councillors, and the rest of the afternoon will be an informal drop-in event at which you’ll be able to chat to the reps, officers and councillors about the improvements to bus services that you’d like to see.

It’s an opportunity to shape the future of local bus services and no booking is required, just turn up with your questions and ideas.

The drop in had been organised by Councillor Azócar-Nevin, Tynedale’s representative on Northumberland’s Local Bus Board.

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Vacancy: North Shields Social Prescriber

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We’re recruiting for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to work across North Shields Primary Care Network.

Job title: Social Prescribing Link Worker

Hours: 30 hours per week (4 days) – working pattern by agreement.

Salary: £27,485 pro rata (equivalent to Band 4 Agenda for Change)

Location: North Shields Primary Care Network practices and North Shields Health Hub

Contract: Fixed-term contract to 31 March 2027, with possibility of extension

Can you change someone’s day and maybe their life?

We’re looking for a Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our team, working across North Shields Primary Care Network (PCN). It is practical, human, community-based work, and it makes a real and measurable difference.

What you will be doing

You will carry a caseload of social prescribing referrals, working from GP surgeries across North Shields PCN and in the community. Your days will be varied because no two conversations are the same. You will:

  • Work with patients referred by GPs, nurses and other practice staff to explore what matters to them
  • Help people connect to community groups, voluntary services, statutory support and activities that improve their health and wellbeing
  • Address non-clinical needs including social isolation, housing, finances, mental wellbeing and access to services
  • Build relationships with community organisations across North Shields and the wider North Tyneside area
  • Support, empower and accompany people, not just signpost them
  • Maintain clear, timely records and provide regular updates to the practice team

What we are looking for

You’ll need a Level 3 Social Prescribing qualification or professional equivalence and:

  • Experience of working face to face with people in a health, social care, community or voluntary setting (paid or unpaid)
  • Excellent listening and communication skills — the ability to quickly build trust with people from all backgrounds
  • Empathy, warmth and emotional resilience
  • The ability to work independently, manage your own caseload and take initiative
  • Good IT skills and the ability to maintain clear, accurate records
  • A genuine, demonstrable commitment to the wellbeing and empowerment of others

It would be great, but not essential, if you also have:

    • Experience of person-centred support planning
    • Knowledge of local services, community groups or voluntary organisations in North Tyneside or North Shields
    • Experience of working with people affected by mental health, social isolation, housing or financial difficulties
    • Knowledge of DWP benefits and related systems
    • Lived experience as a service user or carer

You can read more in the North Shields PCN Social Prescribing Link Worker Job Description and Person Specification.

How to apply

Please send a CV and covering letter (no longer than four pages of A4) explaining how you meet the person specification to: generaloffice@adapt-tynedale.org.uk

For an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact the Social Prescribing Team Lead, Holly Adair: holly.adair1@nhs.net

Please get your application to us by 9.00am on Monday 22 June 2026. Interviews will be held on Thursday 2 July 2026.

 

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Local MP visits Adapt (NE)

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Adapt (NE) welcomes local MP Joe Morris for a firsthand look at community health in action.

Joe Morris MP visited Adapt (NE) last week to see the breadth of services we deliver – from statutory advocacy and Healthwatch Northumberland to social prescribing, mental health outreach, community transport and the community hub.

Our Chief Executive Hannah Harniess said: “It was a real pleasure to showcase our work and introduce Joe to the people at the heart of it. The shift toward prevention and community-centred care is a step in the right direction, but it will only happen if organisations like ours are properly resourced.

“Across our teams we’re seeing rising demand and increasing complexity, with funding that often isn’t keeping pace. That’s the reality for much of the voluntary and community sector right now.”

Joe Morris said: “I would like to thank Hannah and the whole Adapt (NE) team for inviting me to their community hub in Hexham.

“Being able to see services such as Advocacy, Healthwatch Northumberland and Living Well in action was a privilege, and I would like to thank everyone for being so welcoming.

“It’s great to see a community hub being used by local organisations providing vital sources of support to different groups.

“We must ensure that local community organisations retain funding and resources so they can continue to thrive. I’m grateful to have close relationships with Adapt (NE) and I look forward to building on this in the future.”

We welcome Joe’s support for our mission of promoting an inclusive society and look forward to continuing the conversation.

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A Million Acts of Hope litter pick

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We held a litter pick on 18 May for part of A Million Acts of Hope Week.

Volunteers from the community and local organisations and groups joined us at Tyne Green County Park for this fun and purposeful event, resulting in three large bags of rubbish being collected from the area!

A Million Acts of Hope is a national campaign which celebrates everyday acts of kindness and connection happening across the UK. Most people want to live in strong, healthy, caring communities where everyone feels they belong. A Million Acts of Hope is about making that visible and bringing people from all backgrounds, and all walks of life, together.

After the litter pick, volunteers returned to our Community Hub for tea and cake, and to dry off after the downpour we found ourselves in whilst out at the park!

Hub Coordinator Lorna Beech said: “We’ve been really happy to partner with A Million Acts of Hope and all of the other local and national organisations that have signed up to this initiative. Our Community Hub is all about connection, support and bringing hope and positivity to local people. The litter pick was a great way to make a small difference to our shared spaces and give people a chance to come together to play a part in making that difference.”

A big thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with the litter pick. We think you’re amazing!

Find out more about what’s happening at the hub.

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Could you volunteer in our Community Hub?

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 Volunteer Opportunity – Volunteer Hub Support Worker

We’re looking for friendly, community-minded volunteers to support the smooth running of our Community Hub — a warm, inclusive space offering connection, wellbeing activities and support for people facing loneliness, disabled people, those with poor mental health or facing financial hardship.

As an Adapt (NE) Community Hub Support Worker, you will:

  • Welcome visitors and help create a friendly, inclusive atmosphere
  • Spend time listening and building relationships with those who attend the hub
  • Provide directions and help people access activities
  • Support simple practical tasks such as tidying and preparing rooms
  • Promote engagement with the Hub’s wellbeing activities
  • Work alongside staff, volunteers and local service providers to deliver workshops and activities within the hub

We know our volunteers bring a wealth and breadth of experience and we welcome your ideas about how we can shape the hub.

We are looking for people who are:

  • Friendly and approachable
  • Wanting to support our community and build relationships with others
  • Curious and interested in the lives and experiences of others
  • Able to communicate confidently
  • Organised and adaptable
  • A supportive team player

We provide:

  • A welcoming and friendly team and an inclusive work environment
  • Refreshments, soup and hot drinks are available for volunteers
  • Full induction into the work of Adapt(NE) and the Community Hub
  • Safeguarding and food safety training
  • Access to further online learning
  • Ongoing support and supervision

Time commitment is flexible — even a couple of hours makes a difference. Join us in building a space where everyone feels welcome, connected and valued.

Read the Adapt (NE) Community Hub Volunteer Support Worker role description

To apply

If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please call 01434 600599.

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Have your say on No.28

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Have your say on the future use of No.28 Community House/hub

Karbon Homes and Hexham Town Council want your help to shape the future of No.28 community house and hub.

If you live or work in Hexham you can share your thoughts on the activites, services and support most needed in the area online:

No.28 Community House/Hub future use survey

If you would like help with the survey please get in touch and we can go through the questions with you over the phone.

If you would like to volunteer for the new No. 28 Community Hub please email: clerk@hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

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