North East Sight Matters

28/08/2025

As the summer break draws to a close, and NESM have held the final event of the holidays, we want to thank all the families who have made the activities and events so much fun.

We congratulate our teen members for their exam results, you are all amazing and smashing it!

We will reflect on a really busy summer, but for now we wish you all our best wishes going back to school, college or university. Remember to keep your head held high and to keep being incredible 💙

With best wishes

Penny, Caroline & Charlotte X

28/08/2025

Booking a holiday? You can raise a huge £100 donation for North East Sight Matters when you book with TUI via easyfundraising this week! There's no extra cost and it will make a real difference to us. If you're not supporting us on easyfundraising yet, now's the perfect time to get involved. Sign up today here:

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27/08/2025

📣 Street 2 Stadium Para Athletics Taster Day – Coming Soon! 🏃‍♂️

In partnership with England Athletics the next Street 2 Stadium Para Athletics Taster Day takes place next Thursday 28th August at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow 11am-2pm.

This free event is open to anyone aged 8yrs and over with a disability to try athletics events including sprints, frame running wheelchair racing, shot put, javelin, and seated throws with the support of experienced athletics coaches.

Find out more via the post below or sign up by completing the following form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Street2Stadium

27/08/2025

Well done True Colours Theatre CIO Foundation. This will be so useful for mini travellers 💙

27/08/2025

Today, we revisited the award-winning Beamish Museum in County Durham, where the NESM families enjoyed an exclusive lesson on how schools functioned in 1897 within the Victorian Classroom setting.

The lesson was guided by a strict teacher who insisted on being called ‘mam’ whenever students were invited to respond - and they had to put their hands up first, interruptions were not tolerated in those days!

It was remarkable to witness our children quickly adapt to her rules. 😁

The lesson included loud recitations of times tables, spelling practice on slate boards, counting exercises, and an engaging tactile and sensory poem about trees, written by Sara Coleridge….

💙The Oak is called the King of Trees,
💙The Aspen quivers in the breeze,
💙The Poplar grows up straight and tall,
💙The Pear-tree spreads along the wall,
💙The Sycamore gives pleasant shade,
💙The Willow droops in watery glade,
💙The Fir-tree useful timer gives,
💙The Beech amid the forest lives.

After the lesson, we were pleased to have a private space for families to share lunch and connect with one another. We were especially thrilled to welcome a new family!

The afternoon was dedicated to exploration, allowing families to wander through the many areas and exhibits the museum has to offer.

We handed out lanyards (and some of our new caps) so families could quickly identify others, and if they were part of the NESM family group. This also helped the staff at Beamish identify who was with our organisation.

This is something we will be encouraging at our future events.

It is always a joy to visit Beamish and immerse ourselves in history. 💙

The National Lottery Community Fund
Beamish Museum

26/08/2025

Bright and early this morning, a group of NESM families boarded the TransPennine Express train, excited for their day trip to Edinburgh. It was lovely to welcome another new family. The train journey took us up the picturesque North East coast, setting the tone for a delightful adventure ahead.

Upon arriving in Edinburgh, the families made their way to Dynamic Earth, an interactive science museum that showcases the story of planet Earth. The engaging and sensory exhibits captivated both children and adults, exploring everything from the origins of our planet to future sustainability challenges.

After a fun-filled morning of learning, and lunch the families were ready to explore more of the city.

With free family time, they went off and toured the historic streets and the many attractions that the city has to offer. There was even some street entertainment as it was the closing day of the famous ‘Fringe Festival’.

As the afternoon drew to a close, the families met up for the train journey back to Newcastle, full of stories, excitement, trinkets, fudge and chatter. Some had never visited Edinburgh before and certainly want to return.

The day has been a perfect blend of exploration, learning, and quality time spent together.💙

Thanks to our funders
TransPennine Express Trains
Cash for Kids

Well worth a visit Dynamic Earth Edinburgh, Scotland

25/08/2025

We know some of our families attend MTTP sessions, and find them helpful.
Guide Dogs UK

24/08/2025

We were one of the first groups to try out the new accessible paths that day 💙

24/08/2025

The Final Day, and our 3rd day of the Yorkshire Adventure at Carlton Lodge Activity Centre.

After our mini kitchen disco and dancing last night and following another delicious breakfast. All the CYP made their own sandwiches for lunch. We then ventured out to do some Archery.

We had some great results with quite a few of the group managing to hit the target. We definitely have some warrior parents and a fearsome nana!!

Even our young person with no vision whatsoever hit the target using an adaptive stand for the bow.

Following lunch we headed for the beautiful climbing tree.

This experience was a first for many of our CYP. We had tears of joy, laughter and a lot of whooping 👏 👏.

We brought out the Meta Ray-Ban glasses for people to try and everyone was mesmerised and pretty impressed 👓

It had been an action packed, exciting and fun weekend. Our families have embraced the challenges, delighted at their achievements and ticked off a lot of 1st time experiences.

As ever the team from Carlton Lodge have worked brilliantly to accommodate the needs of the families.

There has definitely been some fostering of friendships.

It’s been so much fun we even had a little visitor in the kitchen this morning wanting to join our group……. 🐸

23/08/2025

Day 2 of our Yorkshire Activity Adventure Carlton Lodge Activity Centre 💙

Today we started a full day of activities after a lovely breakfast.

Everyone made their own sandwiches and practiced their buttering and cutting skills.

The CYP are also helping with jobs like wiping down tables, clearing dishes or washing up. Some excellent ILS opportunities.

We collected twigs in a wheelbarrow to take into the woods to do our bushcraft session this morning. Our youngest member JD (9) hadn’t pushed a wheelbarrow before and did a great job of safely delivering the wood.

The first job was to make a den as a shelter before lighting a fire with steel and a flint.

We soon had a roaring fire going before toasting marshmallows and making dough to cook on a stick.
We even ate crunchy creatures 🦗

After lunch it was down to the lake for some fun on the water.

The families canoed around the lake with a few getting splashed and one boat capsizing!

The rope across the water was a challenge with only one person making it all the way to the opposite side.

There was so much laughter as the group decided to jump into the water off the jetty.

After another lovely tea we have been Orienteering our youngest member won!!

Another great day with lots of laughter, friendships and fun. 💙

23/08/2025

Our Jascone 😉

This man loves a scone and has been loadsoffun today!!