Friends Action North East

Friends Action North East FANE supports adults with a learning disability and autistic people in the North East of England

Friends Action North East (FANE) was established in 2004, in Newcastle upon Tyne and the sole purpose of our Project is to support adults in the North East of England with learning disabilities and Autism to make safe, equal and independent friendships. FANE has been supporting people with a learning disability and autism to make and keep friends through Face to face mentoring, training, digital c

onnections, Tech support and group activities for over 15 years. We support people with a learning disability and autism in the North East of England and aim to be a champion for safe and equal friendships, in order to reduce social isolation and create ordinary connections that help to reduce the impact of social isolation and keep people safe to minimise the risk of ‘mate crime’ and abuse. If you want to know more about us, or find out more information how we support friendship please visit our website www.friendsaction.co.uk

10/09/2026

Meet Our Oliver McGowan Co-Trainers (Part 2)

Watch on to meet Shaun, Claire, CJ and Richard, more of our brilliant Co-Trainers! They bring a wealth of lived experience, passion and a commitment to improving support and understanding. 💜

Get in touch to find out more about our Oliver McGowan Tier 2 Training, which also includes Facilitator and Co-Trainer training for organisations who wish to run their own training.

Call us on 0191 2314327

Email [email protected]

Or visit our dedicated training website page: https://rb.gy/ha1u9a

10/09/2026

In case you missed it, we’re offering Tier 2 Oliver McGowan training! Find out more on our website: https://shorturl.at/wuncL

Did you catch our first ‘Meet our Oliver McGowan Co-Trainers' video?

Are you ready to meet more of our Co-Trainers? Part Two is coming tonight! 👋

Today, on the International Day of Charity, we want to reflect on the incredible impact that kindness, generosity and co...
05/09/2026

Today, on the International Day of Charity, we want to reflect on the incredible impact that kindness, generosity and community support can have on people’s lives.

At FANE, we help to create opportunities, build confidence, reduce isolation and ensure that people with additional needs have the support, friendships and sense of belonging they deserve.

It’s not just about providing support — it’s about empowering people to have a voice, make choices, build relationships and live fulfilling, independent lives.

Every donation, every volunteer, every act of kindness and every moment of support helps create a more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 💜

29/08/2026

Happy Saturday! We hope you are all having a brilliant weekend. 💙 Here’s a recent snap of Jess during one of our Meet and Mooch sessions! ☕️

To find out more about what we offer, including one-to-one mentoring and inclusive social groups, head to our website: www.friendsaction.co.uk.

23/08/2026

Our art group made some brilliant masks during one of their recent sessions! 🎨 During art sessions, participants learn new skills, express their creativity and become part of a community. 👋

Head to our website (link in bio) to find out more about FANE’s work of supporting adults with additional needs.

08/08/2026

Meet our Oliver McGowan Co-Trainers (Part 1)!

We’ve had an excellent time recently training our Oliver McGowan Co-Trainers, and we thought it was time for you to meet some of them! Meet Ruth, Pat, Marc and Harry — watch on to find out more about them. 👋

They’re dedicated, professional and passionate, and ready to bring their expertise and lived experience to your training sessions. Stay tuned for Part Two, where you can meet more of our brilliant Co-Trainers!

We’re offering Oliver McGowan Tier 2 Training from September. We will also be offering Facilitator and Co-Trainer training for organisations who wish to run their own training.

Call us on 0191 2314327

Email [email protected]

Or visit our dedicated training website page: https://rb.gy/ha1u9a


07/08/2026

We’re so proud of our Oliver McGowan Co-Trainers. They are amazing and so committed — we couldn’t agree more!

Here’s Richard doing some absolutely brilliant Makaton practice during a recent training session. 🙌

The lived experience of our Co-Trainers brings the training to life, encouraging meaningful conversations that cannot be achieved through theory alone. Their insights help participants reflect on their own practice, challenge assumptions and build the confidence to make reasonable adjustments that improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

From September, we are delighted to be offering Oliver McGowan Tier 2 Training. The training is mandatory for health and social care staff and recommended for anyone else who works with autistic people and/or people with a learning disability.

We will also be offering Facilitator and Co-Trainer training for organisations who wish to run their own training.

Call us on 0191 2314327

Email [email protected]

Or visit our dedicated training website page: https://rb.gy/ha1u9a

Are you ready to meet our Oliver McGowan Co-Trainers? Follow us and keep an eye out for more snippets over the weekend… 📲


Happy International Friendship Day! 💙At Friends Action North East, we know that friendship can change lives. Every day, ...
30/07/2026

Happy International Friendship Day! 💙

At Friends Action North East, we know that friendship can change lives. Every day, we see first-hand the confidence, belonging and joy that grow when people with additional needs have the chance to make friends, share experiences, and be part of a community. We love this snap of Shaun, Rich, Matty and Dan having a brilliant time at Lee Kyle’s comedy night at The Stand in Newcastle recently.

Today, we’re celebrating the friendships that make our North East communities stronger, kinder and more inclusive. Thank you to all of our FANE and Kapow members, staff and volunteers who help to create places where everyone is welcomed, valued and supported to be themselves.

Get ready for an evening of music, games and great company at our Summer Disco on the 5th of August! 🎶It’s an open socia...
21/07/2026

Get ready for an evening of music, games and great company at our Summer Disco on the 5th of August! 🎶

It’s an open social, so we’d love our FANE and Kapow members, their carers and families, as well as past and present volunteers to come and celebrate with us!

Details Below:

- Wednesday 5th of August
- Slug & Lettuce, Newcastle (1st Floor)
- 6:00pm – 8:30pm
- Just £5 per person (Carers go FREE!)

Join us for a fantastic summer celebration with a DJ, games, and plenty of fun.

To book your place, call 0191 231 4327. 📞

Address

C/O Ouseburn Farm, Ouseburn Road (off Lime Street)
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE12PA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441912314327

Website

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