Thrive & Community
Helping people stay connected to the life around them
Good care should help people continue doing the things that make life enjoyable. At Walfinch Newcastle, that means supporting people at home, helping them get out and about, creating opportunities to meet others and giving something back to the communities around us.
Our Thrive Club brings people together for free activities and conversation, while the Walfinch Newcastle Community Fund provides practical financial support to local groups and grassroots organisations.
More than care at home
Staying independent is about much more than completing everyday tasks. It can mean seeing familiar faces, continuing a hobby, getting out for a coffee, attending a local group or simply having something in the diary to look forward to.
That thinking sits behind our Time to Thrive approach. We want the people we support to remain part of their local community wherever possible, while also helping the wider communities around Newcastle, North Tyneside and the surrounding areas to thrive.
Stay connected
Support to continue friendships, hobbies, outings and the routines that matter to you.
Meet people locally
Free community activities designed to bring people together in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Support local communities
Our Community Fund provides financial support to local groups, clubs and organisations doing positive work in the area.
Thrive Club
Free activities, conversation and a reason to get out
Thrive Club is our free community initiative for older adults, relatives and carers. It is designed to be relaxed, welcoming and accessible, with no membership required.
Sessions can include low-impact and seated exercise, crafts, games, conversation and social activities. It is as much about meeting people and enjoying yourself as it is about the activity itself.
Our weekly sessions include a low-impact Armchair Warriors exercise class delivered in partnership with Warrior Generation, alongside opportunities for seated exercise, crafts, games and conversation.
Additional Thrive activities and sessions may take place during the month. Please call our Newcastle team on 0191 429 2800 if you would like to confirm the latest programme before attending.
What happens at Thrive Club
Gentle exercise
Low-impact and seated activities designed to help people move at a comfortable pace.
Crafts and activities
Relaxed creative activities, games and things people can enjoy together.
Tea and conversation
Time to chat, meet people and enjoy some company.
Everyone is welcome
Older adults can attend independently or come along with a relative, friend or carer.
No pressure
People can take part as much or as little as they want.
Completely free
There is no membership fee and no charge to attend our regular Thrive Club sessions.
Time to Thrive
Time to Thrive is part of the way we think about care at Walfinch Newcastle. Care should support a whole life, not simply the tasks that need completing at home.
For one person that might mean getting back to a favourite café. For someone else it could be attending a community group, going shopping, visiting the coast, continuing a hobby or simply having someone alongside them for a walk.
We talk to each person about what matters to them and, where appropriate, build those interests and routines into their care.
Discover our approach to careWalfinch Newcastle Community Fund
£250 every month to support something positive in our local community
Each month, Walfinch Newcastle chooses a local community group, club, organisation or project to receive £250 through our Community Fund.
The fund is our way of giving something back to the communities around us and supporting the people who are creating opportunities, bringing people together and making a positive difference locally.
The organisations we support can be very different from one month to the next. It might be a community group, a voluntary organisation, a sports club, a social group, a local project or another organisation doing something worthwhile in the area.
What could the £250 help with?
- Equipment or useful resources
- Materials for activities
- Venue or room hire
- Community events
- Activities and sessions
- Resources for members or participants
- Practical costs connected to a local project
- Another reasonable cost that would help the group continue its work
These are only examples. We know every group is different, so applicants can simply tell us what the funding would mean for them.
We review applications and choose one recipient each month. Unfortunately, this means we cannot support every application we receive.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from local groups and organisations doing something positive for their community. You do not need to be a sports club or a large organisation.
Examples can include:
- Community groups
- Voluntary groups
- Social groups
- Groups supporting older people
- Youth groups
- Grassroots sports clubs
- Community projects
- Local clubs
- Groups supporting families
- Other local organisations or initiatives
If you are unsure whether your group would be suitable, please still get in touch. We would much rather hear about what you are doing and decide from there.
Applications should primarily relate to communities within or close to the areas Walfinch Newcastle supports, including Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Ponteland and selected communities nearby.
Community stories
From grassroots sport to activities that bring people together, this is where we will share some of the organisations, events and people making a difference locally.
One of our Community Fund recipients
Supporting Boldon Girls FC
Boldon Girls FC is one of the local organisations that has received support through the Walfinch Newcastle Community Fund.
They are one example of the different groups we can support. The Community Fund is open to a wide range of local organisations and is not limited to football or sport.
Each month we look at the applications we have received and choose a local group or organisation that we would like to support with £250.
Could £250 help your group?
If you are involved with a local group, club, organisation or community project, email us and tell us what you do and how £250 could make a difference. We consider a wide range of applications and choose one local recipient each month.
Email us at newcastle-east@walfinch.com to ask about the grant of your choice and give us a bit more information about your group.
Want to get involved?
Come along to Thrive Club
Join us for free activities, conversation and a welcoming morning in North Shields.
Find out about Thrive ClubApply to the Community Fund
Tell us about the work your group is doing locally and how £250 could help.
Apply for fundingStay connected with Walfinch Newcastle
Whether you are looking for care, interested in Thrive Club or involved with a local community organisation, our Newcastle team is always happy to have a conversation.