In addition to our main community based projects at the centre, we are also heavily involved in the wider Newcastle community through our support projects. St Vincent's Newcastle supports a number of projects specifically working for people with disabilities.
These are for when more specialist help may be needed and may be provided as part of a social club such as the Deaf centre we run to support people with hearing loss. In addition, we also run a specialist support group for families called 'Vinnies Family Group', supported accommodation for the homeless and a summer camp for children who may otherwise not have a summer holiday due to their circumstances.
Our aim is to tackle poverty in all its forms through the provision of practical assistance to those in need. Whether it's through our summer camp in Holy Island for children in need of a holiday, delivering food parcels or supporting families, we are dedicated to bringing the wider Newcastle community together and doing all that we can to help those in need.
Summer camps
There are seven children’s Vinnie Camps around the country giving supervised activity and fun to youngsters aged between 8 and 14 years. They offer a week of fun, excitement and friendship to boys and girls who may well be in need of a break because of family problems such as unemployment, illness, bereavement or relationship breakdown.
Vinnie's Family Group
We set up Vinnie's Family Group as a welcoming place for all families in need of support. We host a free drop-in on Thursdays from 10am - 2pm where families can come along, drop in for a chat and enjoy some company. Children are also able to enjoy free snacks, toys and refreshments. We accept donations for food and other essential household items so that may continue to support families that are struggling. These can be picked up from our centres for free.
Supported accommodation
Our supported housing service combines accommodation with support and is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of vulnerable and homeless people. We provide crisis accommodation for adults who are homeless and have complex needs from mental and physical health problems, addictions, financial and behavioural issues. We work with statutory organisations and other charities to provide personal support with the aim of getting our residents ready to move on and live more independent lives and are able to sustain a tenancy in the wider community.
Food bank
Due to the ongoing generous support and donations from the Newcastle community and beyond, we are able to help feed hundreds of families and individuals in need. Our outreach team of volunteers help to deliver food parcels to those who are unable to get it themselves, particularly during the Covid-19 outbreak. We help struggling families with not only food and medicine necessities but other items that bring them joy during hardship that they may otherwise not have access to such as bikes to make travel easier.
SVP Deaf Centre Newcastle
Since 1932 the SVP Deaf Centre Newcastle provides a safe and welcoming space for deaf and hearing communities. Our vision is inclusion, collaboration, and education.
The centre offers welfare, health, and well-being advice in British Sign Language (BSL), runs a weekly Deaf Social Club and D/Cafe, and a monthly mass service in BSL.
This summer it opens its door to the DC Family Hub - an inclusive holiday club for deaf and hearing children and their families.
The project offers students placements (HE and FE), and brings together academic and public research groups, engaging its members in small career fairs, advocacy events, and art exhibitions.
Recently it became home to Secure Language Tests (SELT) offered by Trinity College London, the WEA - Northern Region Office, and also provides a base for the New Writing North - an organisation working with the local creative writers.
With our own Textile Artist in residence - the plans are to increase the activities offer to include crafting and sewing skills for all to enjoy.
To contact us, please ring: 0191 232 4104 or email: deafcentre@svp.org.uk
Address: 2 Summerhill Grove, NE4 6EE. Click here for map.
Link To Trinity College London:
