Community
Programme
A full and engaging programme for adults of all ages, with specific activities for older adults.
Our community programme offers a wide range of in person and online sessions at the Linskill Centre in North Shields and at our sister site at Battle Hill Multi Use Centre in Wallsend. Our focus is on reducing social isolation, increasing community engagement and improving a sense of wellbeing.
If you would like to support our charity you can make a personal donation by simply clicking the link below and selecting either a one-off or monthly donation.
The Trust is grateful for all donations and be assured every pound is reinvested into the Linskill Trust and its community activities.
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Just being part of the community is what you get from coming here. I just love this place. There’s so many things to do and it’s so well run. I think this place keeps me well. I do keep busy going to talks and activities elsewhere – but this is where my community is.
Janet, engAGE participant
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The Shed means everything. It helps keep me mentally active and socially involved. I love being with the others. We’re all of the same mind. There’s laughs and jokes – and so many personalities… But there’s real camaraderie.
Merv – SHED volunteer
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We work with exceptional local and regional partners which means we can offer high quality activities. Partners have included: Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, North Tyneside Art Studio, Remembering the Past and Kielder Observatory. There are a range of exercise classes and wellbeing activities, including a growing cycling programme, all of which promotes healthy lifestyles.
Many activities are FREE or low cost to enable everyone to take part. Most groups run weekly or monthly, with one-off’s, tasters and larger social gatherings programmed throughout the year. Volunteers give tremendous amounts of time to help make many activities possible and run smoothly, which is much valued and appreciated.
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Many activities are FREE, whilst others are low costs or are subsided to enable everyone to take part. Most groups run weekly or monthly, with one-off’s, tasters and larger social gatherings programmed throughout the year. Volunteers give tremendous amounts of time to help make many activities possible and run smoothly, which is much valued and appreciated.
Please contact community.programme@linskill.org
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We also provide activities for families with young children and provide a weekly Baby & Toddler group where parents, carers and grandparents can come together for friendship whilst there are plenty of activities to keep little ones busy. We also offer baby massage classes to learn about baby development which is led by a certified instructor. There are also Sensory sessions held in our own Sensory Room which provide both stimulation and relaxation through exploration of lights, sounds and textures.
We also offer larger scale, seasonal events throughout the year such as Halloween parties and an annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Our children’s programme have costs attached, the proceeds of which are reinvested into the community programme to support our invite only parenting sessions and our youth projects.
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engAGE
EngAGE invites participation by older adults but is not exclusive. Based at the Linskill Centre, engAGE runs a programme of weekly, monthly and ad-hoc social activities; bringing our older community together to socialise, find friendships, share interests and generally have a good time. Some sessions run weekly – from The Woollies craft group to Tai Chi or Linskill Scribbler’s creative writing sessions, whilst the likes of Art Appreciation, Page Turners Book Club or The Film Club are monthly get togethers. From self-run, shared interest groups to tutored sessions; there’s plenty to get involved in, but if what you want to do isn’t on the menu, then get involved in engAGE and help make it happen.
The Shed
Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund through its Reaching Communities programme, the Shed is a thriving woodworking workshop that caters primarily, though not exclusively, for men, with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of its participants.
The first of its kind in North Tyneside to be registered with Men’s Sheds UK, the Shed began in a converted disused garage with support from health funding. The first of its kind in North Tyneside to be registered with Men’s Shed UK, The Shed is somewhere for men to meet, socialise, skill-share and take part in creative, mending and upcycling woodwork activities. The emphasis is on encouraging community involvement by older, bereaved, retired, veterans or carers, those socially isolated or in health recovery. Whilst men are encouraged as main beneficiaries of The Shed, women are also very welcome.
The Shed employs a Woodwork Supervisor, and is supported by volunteer Shedders who share their skills and knowledge.
For general enquiries, please contact shedders@linskill.org. Please kindly note that the Shed is currently oversubscribed and the waiting list currently closed. Please keep coming back to our page for updates.
👉 Are you a business? You can support men’s wellbeing in North Tyneside by sponsoring a Shedder. Find out more about our Support Our Shedders (S.O.S.) campaign here:
Case Study
Community Programme -The Shed: Volunteer Skill-Share
There are many wonderful programmes and services happening at Linskill every day. We regularly conduct case studies to demonstrate the impact our charity has made to someone’s life. Click the button below to read about the difference one of our programmes is making in the life of one of our service users in The Shed.
Case Study
Community Programme – Susan
A new Case Study – click the button below to read about the difference one of our programmes is making in the life of one of our service users.
Volunteering at Linskill
Linskill Trust is incredibly grateful for the time, dedication, passion and support our volunteers give to our organisation. People from our local community can volunteer with us across the many different departments as opportunities arise – there are a range of potential opportunities.
We recognise that people volunteer for a variety of reasons which can range from gaining more confidence, giving back to the community, having spare time, or to develop their employability. Volunteers can expect meaningful roles within our organisation and will be supported to be able to carry out their role effectively.
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact louise@linskill.org.
Linskill Riders – Community Cycle Club
A Cycling UK Community Cycling Group, the Linskill Riders, is a friendly, social group who have regular rides departing from various North Tyneside locations. We keep our ride participant numbers low to ensure an enjoyable ride for everyone and there is always a coffee stop!
We have also benefited from Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival funding and offer free Dr Bike, bike fit, maintenance classes and skills sessions throughout the year.
To learn more about the Linskill Riders please email community.programme@linskill.org and ask to be added to the mailing list.
Community Upcycle Garden
The Community Upcycle Garden started in 2021, during covid, to provide local residents with a safe outdoor space to grow their own produce. Since then the garden has gone from strength to strength, with volunteers growing fruits and vegetables for use in Cafe 32, plus ingredients for community cooking sessions. Plant and produce sales are also held seasonally to raise funds to support the garden.
With a strong environmental ethos, everything in the garden is donated and upcycled. Fish boxes from North Shields Fish Quay are used as planters and waste hops from local beer producer are used as fertiliser. Many other innovative upcycling ideas are employed to make use of ‘waste’ materials.
If you would like to volunteer in the garden, or for more information please get in touch.
Tynemouth Station Book Fairs – A New Chapter
We’re delighted to announce that North Tyneside Art Studio (NTAS) has taken over the management of the Tynemouth Station Book Fair. NTAS, a long-standing partner of the Linskill Centre, has strong creative links with the Fair and will continue to champion its community spirit and love of books.
The Book Fair has been a much-loved part of local life since 1993, when the first event was held in partnership with North Tyneside Council and Friends of Tynemouth Station. From those early days on the West Concourse to today’s vibrant platform fairs, it has always celebrated the written word and brought people together.
After a two-year pause during COVID, the Fair was relaunched in 2022 with support from Linskill and guest author Ann Cleeves. Under Linskill’s stewardship, it has grown stronger than ever, reaching full capacity and welcoming thousands of visitors each year.
Funds raised from the Book Fair have helped support art installations in the Station’s Bridge Gallery, curated by NTAS – a creative link that continues under their new management.
Linskill is proud to see the Fair continue under NTAS’s care, ensuring it remains a thriving, creative, and much-loved community event for years to come.
For enquiries about upcoming fairs, stall bookings, or general information, please contact Tynemouth Station Book Fair via this website link:
Get in touch
Talk to our customer service team for more information, availability, prices or to make a booking.
Call 0191 257 8000 or email info@linskill.org.
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