North Tyneside's New Community Noticeboard: How Whitley Bay Groups Can Use It

Plenty of people in Whitley Bay still find out what is going on from a poster in a cafe window or a leaflet at the library, not from a website or social media. A new scheme from North Tyneside Council is aimed squarely at them, and local groups, venues and businesses can help it reach further.

The council announced its new Community Noticeboard on 3 November. It shares information about local activities, events, groups, services and support in a printable format, so it can be pinned up wherever people gather.

How it works

Anyone who signs up receives a monthly email of easy-to-read material, such as event posters, flyers and updates about local groups and services. The idea is that subscribers print it and display it in community places, from libraries and community centres to cafes, pubs, shops, health centres and supported living schemes, or simply pass it on to friends and family who are not online.

The noticeboard is part of the council's Age-Friendly Borough programme and was developed with Age UK North Tyneside and Healthwatch North Tyneside. Councillor Janet Hunter, the council's Older People's Champion, described it as "a simple idea that can make a real difference."

How Whitley Bay groups can use it

• Sign up and print it. Residents, community groups, businesses and organisations can all subscribe on the council's Age-Friendly page.
• Put it on the wall. A cafe on Park View, a church hall in Monkseaton or a community space such as Whitley Bay Big Local on Whitley Road can display each month's sheets for customers and visitors.
• Pass it on. Clubs and befriending groups can hand printed copies to members who do not use email.
• Ask about your own activity. The council's pages do not yet explain how groups can get their own events included, so if you run a regular session, contact the council or Age UK North Tyneside to ask.

The Whitley Bay Community Hub and Library on York Road remains a good place to pick up local information in person.

If your group is looking for helpers, our guide to volunteering in Whitley Bay lists organisations that welcome new volunteers, and you can tell us about your group for a directory listing.