Out North East event 2025

Hate Crime Consultation Event

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:55:47 GMT

Hate Crime Consultation Event

Have you ever reported a hate crime — or supported someone who has?

OUT North East is hosting a community consultation event as part of an ongoing research project exploring LGBTphobia and hate crime reporting in Gateshead. We want to hear from people who live, work, volunteer or study in the borough about their experiences and perspectives.

This is your opportunity to help shape understanding, improve reporting processes and influence how services respond to hate crime locally.

You don't need to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community to attend. We are keen to hear from allies, professionals and members of the wider public. Whether you have direct experience of reporting hate crime or thoughts about how the system works, your voice matters.

The event will take place at the new ONE Centre — Gateshead’s first dedicated LGBTQ+ community hub. After the session, there will be an opportunity to look around the space and find out more about how it supports communities across the region.

Tea and coffee will be provided.

Please note: photographs will be taken during the event, but you are welcome to opt out if you prefer not to be included.

Facilitated by Drew Dalton

Join us for an open, respectful and constructive conversation — and help make a difference in how hate crime is understood and addressed in Gateshead.

If you'd like to attend email drew@outnortheast.org.uk or call 0191 695 1969 selecting option 2

ONE Centre Launches Drop-In Events

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:15:44 GMT

New Free Drop-In Sessions at the ONE Centre

We’re excited to launch a brand-new programme of free drop-in sessions at the ONE Centre — open to LGBTQ+ people of all ages across the North East.

Sometimes you just need somewhere to go. A place to grab a coffee, have a conversation, take part in an activity — or simply sit quietly and be yourself.

Our new drop-ins are designed to be exactly that.

The ONE Centre offers a safe, warm and welcoming space away from the noise of everyday life. Whether you’d like to play table tennis, darts or pool, read a book, watch TV, join in with an activity or just chat with someone who understands, the door is open.

There’s no pressure and no expectations — just a relaxed environment where you can connect, unwind and feel comfortable being you.

The drop-ins are currently running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11am to 3pm, and our aim is to expand them to run every day in the future.

We know that connection matters. These sessions are about reducing isolation, building friendships and creating a sense of belonging for anyone who needs it.

For the latest updates, including any changes or additional sessions, please check our website and social media channels.

The kettle’s on. The games are ready. The space is yours.

Everyone is welcome.

Broadcasting OUT, Proud and Loud

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:56:46 GMT

OUT North East to Deliver Pride Radio

We are delighted to announce that OUT North East is now delivering Pride Radio — the region’s dedicated LGBTQ+ community radio station.

This is an exciting new chapter for us and for LGBTQ+ communities across the North East. Pride Radio gives us a powerful platform to amplify voices, share stories and reach people far beyond physical spaces.

For many LGBTQ+ people — particularly those who are isolated, living in rural areas or not yet connected to community networks — radio can be a lifeline. It offers connection, representation and reassurance that they are not alone.

Through Pride Radio, we will celebrate identity, showcase local talent, host important conversations and provide information that supports health, wellbeing and inclusion. It will be a space where lived experience is heard, creativity is encouraged and community voices take centre stage.

Connection sits at the heart of everything we do at OUT North East. Pride Radio allows us to extend that connection across the region — into homes, workplaces and communities — creating a shared space that is inclusive, affirming and accessible.

We are incredibly proud to take this forward and look forward to working with volunteers, partners and contributors to grow Pride Radio into a vibrant, community-powered station.

Whether you want to listen, contribute, volunteer or collaborate — tune in and be part of it.

Because everyone deserves to hear a voice that sounds like their own.

You can listen to Pride Radio on FM, DAB, through your Smart Speaker of by downloading the FREE Pride Radio app.

National Lottery Community Fund Supports The ONE Centre

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:41:55 GMT

OUT North East Celebrates Major National Lottery Community Fund Support

We are delighted to share some fantastic news for LGBTQ+ communities across the North East.

OUT North East has been awarded £330,754 from The National Lottery Community Fund , a significant investment that will help us expand our support and reach more people who need it most.

This funding will enable us to employ dedicated Out Reach Workers , strengthening our ability to connect with LGBTQ+ people across the region, reduce isolation and ensure more individuals can access timely, compassionate support.

Our Out Reach Workers will play a vital role in meeting people where they are — providing guidance, building trusted relationships and helping individuals feel safer, more connected and more supported in their everyday lives.

This support comes at a crucial time, as many LGBTQ+ people continue to face barriers to services, rising inequality and increasing pressures on community organisations. With this funding, OUT North East will be able to grow our presence, respond to emerging needs and ensure no one is left behind.

Peter Darrant, Chief Executive Officer of OUT North East, said:

“This is amazing support from The National Lottery Community Fund, and we are incredibly grateful. Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will help us employ Out Reach Workers who can provide life-changing support to LGBTQ+ people across the North East. It means we can reach further, respond faster, and continue building communities where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to thrive.”

We are proud of what this investment will make possible, and we look forward to sharing more about the impact of this work as the project develops.

Thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund — and to everyone who continues to stand with us as we build a stronger, more connected North East.

ONE Centre Officially Opens

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:08:21 GMT

LGBTQ+ History made in the North East

LGBTQ+ history was made this month with the opening of the ONE Centre, the region's dedicated LGBTQ+ community centre.

The ONE Centre, based at the Stonehills Complex, Gateshead welcomed business leaders, regional dignitaries, community leaders and a whole host of invited guests to get a first glimpse of the centre, which was officially opened by Kate Osborne MP.

And the launch – which coincided with the beginning of LGBTQ+ History Month – was also used to reveal funding of £330,754 which has been awarded to OUT North East by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The opening also provided the opportunity to unveil a unique piece of artwork, created by North East artist, Chris Felming, aka Ida4, which comprises three panels which feature influential figures linked with the LGBTQ+ community. A fourth panel will eventually be added, created using suggestions from the community on who they would like to see added.

Peter Darrant, CEO of Out North East, whose vision it was to create the facility, said the work now begins to ensure that the ONE Centre offers a diverse programme of events and opportunities.

“There has been a huge amount of work which has gone in to creating this building and providing what we believe is a much-needed facility for the region,” he said.

“We are so grateful to the many individuals and organisations that have helped us on this journey, including Gateshead Council which have played a huge role in bringing the centre to fruition.

“To also have had this massive boost from the National Lottery Community Fund on our opening day is incredible and is money which will help us to achieve our ambitions.”

Extensive renovations were carried out at the building – formerly the home of Vision and Hearing Support, The Bradbury Centre for Sight – which has created a range of spaces which will be used for counselling, workshops, community drop-ins and for training, along with hot desking areas which will be available to both charities and start-up businesses.

A large function room – as well as a community kitchen – can be booked by anyone wanting to host everything from a business meeting to a small conference.

A state-of-the-art podcast studio and broadcast studios which will be the new home of Pride Radio will complete the re-purposed building.

This project is being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which aims to improve pride in place, increase life chances and invest in local communities.

Out North East event 2025

Hate Crime Consultation Event

Hate Crime Consultation Event

ONE Centre Launches Drop-In Events

New Free Drop-In Sessions at the ONE Centre ﻿

Broadcasting OUT, Proud and Loud

OUT North East to Deliver Pride Radio

National Lottery Community Fund Supports The ONE Centre

OUT North East Celebrates Major National Lottery Community Fund Support

ONE Centre Officially Opens

LGBTQ+ History made in the North East

New Free Drop-In Sessions at the ONE Centre