Our Groups and Services
Gateway North East Charity has gone through lots of changes over the last very difficult 2 years priorities for families have changed, ways of supporting families has changed, there have been staff changes and the way that we work has had to change and many of our amazing young people are two years older and are now adult sor have gone from being children to teenagers. and we have a new charity strategic plan for the next 5 years part of which is the development of a gateway consortium of groups that would give families more options in different areas of their families lives
Family Support:
We are very fortunate to have an amazing groups of parents and volunteers on board as a member of the Gateway team, trustees and advisors who are happy to support our families, and are available to speak to and support parents and carers wherever that's needed. There are opportunities for parents, carers and families to get together and find support, including our Gateway Diamonds Parents support group, Family Get-Togethers, the Beyond the Walls groups for adults, young people and children, Gateway Stars for young carers, and loads more. You can find out more about our Family Support work and get in touch with the support volunteers by clicking here.
It's Cool to be Kind:
During the summer holidays, we supply each member of Gateway with activities that they can do as a family - each family gets their own tailored bag, specifically for them. Included in this pack is Cool to be Kind, encouraging young people to be kind to people, with a reward at the end of the holidays for those who have taken part. Our young people have experienced a lot of unkindness - but we have a conviction that change needs to start with us and our families. Being kind to others and building one another up, supporting each other even if we don't always get on with them, is something that we encourage throughout the whole organisation.
Throughout the pandemic these activity bags have been a lifeline for parents and young people and our online communication and activities.
Our Cool to be Kind value has now grown to other activities, throughout the whole year: this includes Christmas present deliveries to hospitals with our groups, a toy bank for Christmas and birthday presents, food parcels,comminity volunteering and fundraising. We also work to provide a Christmas dinner for those families who might not be able to afford it at home - this has been a huge help for families over the year.
You can find out more about all of our Cool to be Kind work by clicking here.
Arts Programmes:
It's so important that music, drama and art is a part of the work that we do - we know that these help the young people to learn communication skills, have access to speech therapy - and the benefit to mental and emotional health is massive, as well as listening skills, fine and gross motor skills and confidence building.
We have various skills and qualifications across the Gateway team, and we've got some fantastic groups and opportunities for young people with disabilities or barriers to learning to get involved with. Find out more by clicking here.
Sports Programmes:
Gateway North East originally began as a swimming group for young people, and we are passionate about providing all sorts of opportunities for children and young people with learning disabilities and barriers to learning to access sports this includes being coaches teachers and officials. Currently, we work to help groups take part in football, Smash Up Badminton, boccia, swimming and loads more. Click here to find out more!
Gardening and Food Programmes:
These projects tend to be time-limited, stand alone projects, rather than a weekly, long-term project. Check out the information around various projects that we run - and we can get you involved next time! Click here to find out more.
Themed Holiday Clubs and Special Events:
Pre Pandemic we ran themed Holiday Clubs throughout the year, in five different areas of the North East: Sunderland, East Durham, Durham Dales, North Tyneside and Newcastle - these clubs are run throughout every school holiday, excluding Bank Holidays. Holiday clubs could be accessed by anyone from Reception year-14 years old, and will often include a lunch in the middle of the day or breakfast before we start. Since uagust we have been including other areas including Gateshead and Teeside Click here to find out more about Holiday Clubs, as well as our annual special events!
Residentials:
We provide several opportunities for young people aged 8 and over to stay in a fully accessible centre, with fully accessible activities . We do this in partnership with Calvert Trust Kielder: respected globally as a provider of outdoor experiences for disabled people. "Our disabled guests, their friends and families experience the same emotions and experiences as any other guest inside our safe, inclusive, uniquely challenging facility". Click here for all the information!.
Camping both 3:3 and one night starters , festival camping, family residentials , independent skills weeks and camping at home.
Group Progression at Gateway:
Click here to learn all about the groups and learning opportunities at Gateway. We'd love you to be involved - email us to find out more.