Kinship Roadshow Newcastle
Care, connect and learn together
Navigating a complex, and often confusing, system is hard. And sometimes it can feel like no one understands what you’re going through. Having a support system can make all the difference. But where do you meet others who ‘get it’? Come along to our free Kinship roadshow in Newcastle, learn about navigating kinship care and meet someone like you.
Make connections
Our roadshow is open to all kinship carers – whether you’re a new kinship carer or you’ve been one for years. You may be an informal kinship carer, have a special guardianship order, or any other order. Everyone is welcome.
The event is facilitated by our Kinship team, which includes kinship carers. There will be opportunities to share experiences, in small groups, but there is no pressure to talk if you don’t want to. Just do whatever you’re comfortable with.
Learn about kinship care
During the day, you’ll learn practical tools and tips to help you on your kinship carer journey. We’ll help you to feel supported, confident, and empowered to make decisions that work for you, and the child you’re caring for and your family.
9.30am:
Registration
Arrive and register – grab yourself a cuppa and meet the Kinship team.
10am:
A warm welcome
Get to know each other and learn more about the practicalities of being a kinship carer.
10.45am – 11.45pm (including break)
Living as a kinship carer – practical sessions to support you
These sessions will run in parallel and you’ll swap in the afternoon. This keeps the sessions smaller so it easier to chat with each other. The sessions will cover:
- tips for managing contact with family members
- an introduction to trauma and attachment
12.00 – 12.30pm:
Supporting your kinship child at school
Introduction: Practical tools and tips to navigate schools and what support you should ask for.
12.30pm – 1.15pm:
Lunch and informal marketplace
Have a delicious lunch, chat with others, get some fresh air and browse our informal marketplace where you can meet organisations who can support you in your local area.
1.15pm:
Living as a kinship carer – practical sessions to support you
These sessions will run in parallel and you’ll attend the one you didn’t attend in the morning:
- tips for managing contact with family members
- an introduction to trauma and attachment
2.15pm:
Leaving as friends
Where else to get support and what’s next.
2.30pm:
Close.
On this page
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What can I expect on the day?
A warm, supportive space to meet and connect with other kinship carers, as well as practical tools and tips to help you navigate the system and feel more confident. There is the opportunity to share experiences, in small groups, but there’s no pressure for you to talk if you don’t want to. And if you need to, there will also be plenty of space to take some time out.
Can I attend for part of the day?
The event is designed to be for the full day to give kinship carers the opportunity to attend the different workshops, meet other kinship carers and visit the marketplace.
If you need to leave early, just let the team know when you register in the morning.
Who can attend?
Anyone who is a kinship carer can attend. A kinship carer is someone who steps in to raise a child when their parents can’t. They’re usually grandparents, aunts or uncles, brothers or sisters and sometimes friends. Whether you’ve just become a kinship carer, or you’ve been one for years, everyone is welcome.
Can I bring children to the roadshow?
Unfortunately not, this roadshow is for kinship carers only.
Is this event accessible?
The venue is wheelchair accessible with step-free access. If you have any additional accessibility needs, you will be asked about this in our booking form. Please let us know so we can make this event as comfortable as possible for you.
Read more about the accessibility of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art on Euan’s Guide.
Who else will be there?
We are looking forward to welcoming up to 60 kinship carers at the event and there will be opportunities to connect with others throughout the day if you’d like.
Our Kinship team will be facilitating the day, many of whom are kinship carers or have experience of kinship care.
There may also be stalls with local organisations, where you can find out more about them, how they may be able to support you in your caring role, and ask them any questions.
Local authorities will not be in attendance.
How do I get to the venue?
Our Kinship Roadshow Newcastle takes place at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA. The venue is located on the Quayside in Gateshead. You can walk to the venue from the Newcastle Quayside by crossing the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
Getting to Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by car
Parking is available in the car park behind the venue. Follow the signs for “Gateshead Quays” and “Other Car Parks” until you see the signs for the Baltic Car Park. You pay for parking when you leave by card or cash. Car park charges for the day are around £10.
Blue Badge holders can park for free in the car park. There are also four Blue Badge parking spaces next to the venue on South Shore Road. Blue Badges must be displayed at all times.
Motorcycles can park for free in the designated motorcycle bay.
Getting to Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by bus
Gateshead Bus Interchange or Newcastle Central Station are the closest bus stations.
Getting to Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by train
The nearest train station is Newcastle Central Station.
Getting to Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art by Metro
The nearest Metro stations are Newcastle Central Station and Gateshead Metro Interchange.
For more details on how to get to the venue, visit the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
I can’t make this roadshow. Will there be others?
Yes, we have several roadshows planned, across England. To find out where and when they will be, keep an eye on our events page as we update it with more events or email us at roadshow@kinship.org.uk.
Have questions? Contact us
Our Kinship team, can answer any questions you might have about the roadshow. Please email us on roadshow@kinship.org.uk.
Book your space
When you book your free place, we’ll ask you about your experience as a carer, your gender, age, ethnicity and other demographics. This helps us make sure that the services and experiences we offer are as inclusive as possible and that our advice is relevant to your locality.
We will also ask about your accessibility needs. This is to ensure that you have a comfortable experience on the day.
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