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)
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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
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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.
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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 

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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

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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

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.