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Tuesday 1 November 2011

No Excuse for Disability Discrimination

In this programme Vicky Harris from Arch stepped in at the last minute and chatted with Billy Richardson, who has learning difficulties and is involved in a number of projects including Better Days.

They spoke about many different aspects including the difficulties people with a disability may have in being allocated independent living, problems of bullying and name-calling. At what point do things like stone-throwing or bullying become hate crimes and what should they do about it.  Billy also spoke about the uncertainty around the new benefits and the march he recently took part in for the 'Hardest Hit' in Newcastle - a protest which took place in many cities around the country.

We also heard an interview with Nick Hedley who acquired a brain injury which caused his speech to be slurred so that he was sometimes thought to be drunk when he actually took no alcohol and also suffered discrimination in the work-place.

ARCH - Newcastle - 08000 32 32 88.   arch@newcastle.gov.uk
Victim Support 0191 274 4274

Better Days www.better-days.org.uk


PODCAST

Thursday 1 September 2011

No Excuse for Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse doesn't just mean men beating up their wives or girlfriends; women abuse their partners almost as frequently and it happens with same-sex couples as well as heterosexual couples. It happens to young and old, the poorly educated and the highly academic, people without work and people in positions of trust in the community. It can happen to people of any belief or religion and in any culture.
The chances are that if it's happening to you, you do NOT deserve it - no matter what you are being told, and you do NOT have to put up with it. - It may be hard to admit that what's happening to you is really 'domestic abuse' - but once you do, you have gained the power to be able to put an end to it. And domestic abuse has so much to do with power.

In this programme we heard from a young man who put up with his wife's abuse for over ten years before his friends finally helped him to move out of the situation and from a woman who finally went to a women's refuge, but felt she didn't really have the right to a place there in spite of the treatment she was receiving.
Abusers will go down on their knees and beg for forgiveness and promise solemnly never to do it again... and next day, perhaps a few beers further down the line, the story will repeat itself.

BUT there are many many organisations there who can help you and these are listed below, but first a few facts and figures:
  • In Gateshead alone, the cost of domestic abuse is £91 per year
  • Nationally the cost is £1.2 BILLION! (imagine if that was invested in education...)
  • One in 4 women encounters domestic or sexual abuse at some point in their lives
  • In any one year, there are 13 million separate incidents of physical violence or threats of violence against women from partners or former partners.
  • 45% women and 26% men experience at least one incident of inter-personal violence in their lifetimes. (Walby and Allen, 2004) ) – however when there were more than 4 incidents (i.e. ongoing domestic or
    sexual abuse) 89% of victims were women
  •  54% of UK rapes are committed by a woman’s current or former partner.
  •  On average 2 women a week are killed by a male partner or former partner: this constitutes around one-third of all female homicide victims.
 http://www.womensaid.org.uk     this site has a huge amount of information - including how to hide the fact you've been looking at this website
 0808 2000 247   freephone national 24 hour domestic violence helpline

http://www.mesmacnortheast.com/    for gay and bisexual men

http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/     help for LGBT men and women suffering abuse
telephone: 0300 999 5428 (LGBT) Mon 2-8pm, Wed. 10-5pm, thur 2-8pm - Immediate danger call 999

http://www.nedap.org.uk/   Victim Support North East Domestic Abuse Project
0845 30 30 900. Typetalk users should dial 18001 0845 30 30 900. To hide your number, press 141 before dialing the number.

 http://refuge.org.uk/    For women and children suffering domestic abuse

0808 2000 247

Gateshead Women's Service
For women in the Gateshead area needing a refuge from domestic abuse


Panah Women's Service
PO Box 27
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 1EU

Tel: 0191 284 6998
Tel (Outreach): 07590 851908
Fax: 0191 285 6075

Panah is a black women's refuge providing safe and secure temporary accommodation for women and their dependant children, fleeing from or threatened with domestic violence.

PODCAST

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25 November  International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

 26 November

Reclaim the Night

http://www.reclaimthenight.org/

 

There will be a march in Newcastle, gathering at 18.30 (6.30pm) at Haymarket.

Speakers: Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and Clare Williams, Chair of the TUC Women’s Group and Unison Regional Convenor

In Britain there are an estimated 47,000 rapes every year. Each year an estimated 300,000 women are sexually assaulted (British Crime Survey 2001), yet Britain’s conviction rate is the lowest ever at just 5.3%. When Reclaim the Night marches were first started in the 1970s, women were appalled that only 1 in 3 rapists were ever convicted; today that figure is 1 in 20. This is why the Northern TUC have revived the tradition of Reclaim the Night. All women have the right to use public spaces both in the daytime and after dark without the fear of sexual harassment and assault. Join with women around the world to mark the United Nations International Day to End Violence Against Women and take back your night.

 

 and while we're on the subject of rape, please check out the Justice for Jane campaign to get a bill through Parliament to stop allowing rapists to be granted bail after murdering the sole witness.











Monday 22 August 2011

No Excuse for Homophobia

Our guests for this programme were Catherine Mackereth of the South Tyneside PCT, Graeme from the Outpost Housing Project, Paul, who is writing a policy doument on homophobia for a local charity organisation, Carole Gibson from Safer Gateshead and Professor Jo Phoenix of the Research Centre on Sex, Gender and Sexualities at Durham University.

Interviews were sent in by Headliners, a youth journalism project, Pride Radio, who kindly let us use an interview they had done with Show Racism the Red Card, who are starting a similar project for Show Homophobia the Red Card. Our colleagues at Spice fm also sent in a discussion between women of different faiths in the local Asian community about attitudes towards LGBT people.

First the term LGBT was defined : it refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender people.
The term 'homophobia was discussed and Professor Phoenix spoke about the confusion between cultural intolerance of open homophobia and formal legal and substantice equality for LGBT people. It is clear that legally there is still a wide gap between the rights of heterosexual and lgbt couples.

Outpost Housing Project 
helps young people between 16 and 25 to find housing and also gives support and information on benefits, education, independent living, coming out, relationships, emotional and sexual health and much more.
Address: 2 Osborne Road, Jesmond, newcastle NE2 2AA
Tel: 0191 281 0099
email: admin [ @] outpostproject.org  (remove brackets to send to this address)
www.outpostproject.org

Professor Phoenix spoke about the Research Centre on Sex, Gender and Sexualities which will be launched on 17 November in Durham. the Centre wishes to engage ALL relevant stakeholders and not just LGBT to help ensure that their research has the maximum benefit and to help identify the nedt big questions and issues.
Contact: Jo.Phoenix [@] durham.ac.uk

There was also some discussion about oder LGBT people who may now be in care homes - is their situation spoken about, are they recognized?  they probably grew up in an era when these things were not discussed openly and - in the case of gay men - may also have been illegal.

Other useful contacts:
Victim Support Newcastle: 0191 281 3791
Victim Support Gateshead: 0191 477 8395

MESMAC - the major help organisation for LGBT people, giving advice on many aspects of health - including HIV testing. Mesmac also offers counselling and holds special groups for men only, women only, young people and older people
Telephone: 0191 233 1333
email: all [@] mesmacnortheast.com
Website: www.mesmacnortheast.com

STaG Project

13 Walker Terrace, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE8 1EB
Tel: 07090 421 529 . Fax: 0191 490 1706
Advice/Helplines - Newcastle
STaG offers a helpline, face-to-face sessions, counselling and a social group for people living or
working in South Tyneside or Gateshead.
Opening Times: Mon 10-12am, Weds 5-8pm, Fri 2-4.30pm

PODCAST

Friday 29 July 2011

Racism and Hate Crime

We are sorry about the late update of this page which has been due to a problem with the computer....
Some very brief notes to get you started - we will post a fuller version as soon as possible.

ALL racism/hate crimes should be reported:
In an emergency call 999
To report all other crimes or incidents or for general information and advice call 03456 043 043
or text 07786 200 814

for the deaf or hard of hearing Minicom 01661 820 915
or text 07786 200 815

to contact the Newcastle Community Cohesion Team:
PC Janine Turnbull 07771 980 433
Community Support officer Vadoo Aghajani
Community Support Officer Vadim Murasko
03456 043 043 ext 62315
============

ARCH incident report line: 0800 32 32 88 - 24/7 confidential freephone. 100 languages spoken
Gateshead ARCH 0191 433 2648

Arch offers help from a range of organisations including the Police, Victim Support, Your Homes Newcastle/ Gateshead Housing Company, Raciam Harassment Prevention Team, Private Rented Project

============
Victim Support 0845 30 30 900
Care Unit: 0191 281 0491      07891 582 066

See also GYMAG  - Gateshead Young Muslim Advisory Group film on YouTube

PODCAST

Thursday 23 June 2011

Creative Ageing

We were surprised and delighted that when we went to interview people they were so positive and philosophical about ageing. Unfortunately we were not able to interview young people about their vision of older people on this occasion - but we will get to that later.

Our studio guests were Richard Bliss from Equal Arts and Yvonne Young who is part of the Shared Reading scheme with the Library Service and also does memory sessions with older people.

Equal Arts are currently running four different types of sessions aimed at people who are just beginning to experience memory loss. they can be referred by their GP or other services:

Life Story through pictures
Gateshead Central Library 1.30-3pm Thursdays

Music Group
Victoria House, Victoria Road 10.00-12.00 Fridays

Movement Group
Fountain Court, Armstrong Road 10.00 - 12.00 Fridays

Local Film / Reminiscence
Gilmour House, Whitehall Road 1.00 - 12.00 Fridays

Equal Arts
Swinburne House,
Swinburne Street
Gateshead NE8

Tel: 0191 477 5775
____________________________________________________

Yvonne Young
Apart from her work on the Shared Reading Scheme with the Library Service - funded by Make Your Mark, Yvonne does memory sessions on a freelance basis. She has done work for Age UK, as well as various library and community groups.
For bookings and information, contact her on 0191 267 1420
or contact the library: 0191 277 1500

Wednesday 25 May 2011

Ageism

This month's show will discuss ageism and issues affecting elderly people.
There will be some emphasis on memory and Alzheimer's, with guests from Equal Arts in Gateshead, who are running special programmes for those just beginning to have problems with memory. Also in the studio we will have Yvonne Young who gives memory sessions with elderly people around Newcastle and Gateshead and is the author of Westenders: Memories of Benwell, Elswick, Scotswood and Arthur's Hill
Tune in at 2pm on Friday 27 May on NE1fm 102.5 or online at www.ne1fm.net

Wednesday 30 March 2011

First Broadcast - Isolation

On Friday 25 March we began the No Excuse series with a programme on the subject of isolation, which is something experienced by so many people in a number of difficult situations.
We had guests in the studio from Victim Support, the NE LGBT Domestic Abuse Forum, Arcadea - Disability Arts, Gateshead Advice Centre (formerly CAB) and the Samaritans. The programme was presented by Diane Stuart of the Cyrenians.

 PODCAST

Contact Information:  


Arcadea (Disability Arts)

email:  info@arcadea.org
Tel:0191 222 0708
(website temporarily closed for rebuilding)
___________________________________________________________________

Domestic Abuse
In an emergency always dial 999

National Domestic Abuse helpline 0808 2000 247(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Helpline for LGBT victims of Domestic abuse
Broken Rainbow0300 999 5428
Monday: 2pm - 8pm
Wednesday: 10am - 5pm
Thursday: 2pm - 8pm
http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/

 BME Women's Refuge - PANAH
0191 284 6998
______________________________________________________

Gateshead Advice Centre

Can advise you about financial problems and debt.

 opening hours:
         Monday - Friday 9am-5pm (Thursdays open until 8pm)
         Saturday 9am-12 noon
Home visiting service - 10 outreach workers across the borough.

http://www.gatesheadcab.org.uk/

Call in at
5/6 Regent Terrace
Gateshead
NE8 1LU
Or telephone0191 478 5100 Advice Line 0191 477 1392
You can also text 0778620 6006 and they will call you back within 24 hours to see how they can help you.
_______________________________________________

Samaritans
Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
Whatever you're going through, whether it's big or small, don't bottle it up. We are here for you if you're worried about something, feel upset or confused, or just want to talk to someone.
http://www.samaritans.org/


Phone: 08457 90 90 90
email:     jo@samaritans.org
Write :   Chris, P.O. Box 9090
             Stirling, FK8 2SA 
______________________________

Victim Support
http://www.victimsupport.org/

The national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family, friends and anyone else affected across England and Wales. We also speak out as a national voice for victims and witnesses and campaign for change.

Victim Care Unit 0845 277 0977
northumbria@victimsupport.org.uk

___________________________________________________

THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE REPEATED ON FRIDAY 29 APRIL AT 2PM AND ON
MONDAY  2 MAY AT 10AM

Next new topic on Friday 27 May is AGEISM
Please contact us if you would like to contribute to this programme

Thursday 10 March 2011

Problems and solutions

No Excuse is a new monthly radio programme which will broadcast on NE1fm on the last Friday of every month starting on 25 March 2011.

Each month we will cover a different issue for which there is
This includes racism, domestic abuse, bullying, homophobia, xenophobia, isolation, ageism, size-ism, discrimination and prejudice of all kinds - but also situations such as financial panic which may be the result of an abrupt change in personal circumstances.

Addressing the Issue
The first hour of the programme will consist of interviews with people in the Newcastle and Gateshead area who are currently experiencing some form of negative situation, or have done so in the past.
These interviews can be done in any place where the victim/survivor feels safe. Their voices can be disguised if preferred and we will never, ever give a person’s real name unless they specifically request it.

If a person prefers the interview to be conducted by their key worker or someone else already known to them, we can either simply record the interview, or teach the questioner how to use the equipment themselves.

The main aim of this sector is to reach people in our audience who are undergoing similar situations but who have not, as yet requested help. In so many cases people feel isolated and do not know where to turn.


Where, How and When to get help
The second half of the programme aims to offer a broad range of possibilities for solving the problems. We will ask representatives of both statutory and voluntary organisations to share advice about what people can do, who they can phone and where they can go for help.

The emphasis will be on the fact that there is help out there and people do not have to suffer isolation and misery any longer. We will aim to ensure that the advice is as inclusive as we can manage; making sure that we consider older people, the BME community, the LGBT community, families, single parents etc. - Be sure to let us know if you feel your situation is being overlooked.

As we spread the word about our plans, we are pleased to see the strongly positive reactions we are getting from organisations and individuals on both sides of the issues.

The following have already agreed to work with us to give current advice and alternatives:
Victim Support
Women's Aid
PANAH
John Allan (Teams Community Centre)
GAP
North-East LGBT Domestic Abuse Forum
Whitehouse Lane Youth Club
Probation Service
Tyneside Womens Health
Gateshead Financial Inclusion

We invite organisations in Newcastle and Gateshead to contact us if they have clients who would like to take part in this series of radio programmes.
We also welcome feedback regarding the subjects we are planning to cover.

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Blog
Each programme will have an accompanying blog post, giving names and contact details for all the agencies and organisations discussed on air, together with any additional information we have to hand.

Solutions
Where possible we will also direct people to classes and workshops where they can work on their issues in the company of others with similar problems. We are eager to work with other projects and organisations to help make this possible.

The No Excuse team from NE1fm and
the Kittiwake Trust undertake to
respect the privacy of all individuals
who agree to let us broadcast their
NO EXCUSE stories.