Newcastle: Disability, Access & Community
A city of culture, institutions and campaigns where disabled people are training arts organisations, exhibiting at libraries, challenging climate plans, and refusing to let MPs vote without a fight.
Newcastle: where Difference NE does much of its institutional work
Newcastle is home to some of the most significant Difference North East activity: the Claiming the Normal photography exhibition at Central Library, zine workshops for young people at City Library, disability equality training at Alphabetti Theatre, a Disability Green Paper workshop co-hosted with Citizens Advice Newcastle, and a Changing Places toilet at Star and Shadow Cinema that took four years and £15,000 of community trading income to install. It is also a city where two of three MPs voted for the welfare cuts that will harm tens of thousands of disabled constituents.
Access to the Everyday 2026 / ONS 2021
Scope, 2025, cited in Access to the Everyday 2026
Claiming space: Newcastle's disability arts and culture activity
Representation matters. When the images that exist of disabled people only show tragedy, inspiration or absence, it shapes how institutions, employers, services and strangers treat disabled people every day. Newcastle has been the site of some of Difference NE's most visible creative work.
Claiming the Normal Newcastle Central Library, November 2025
During Winter 2024/25, Difference North East faced a familiar problem updating its website: the lack of authentic images of disabled people in stock photography. The images that existed either showed disabled people as inspirational figures "overcoming" their impairments, or as objects of pity. There were very few images of disabled people simply living their lives.
In response, Difference NE partnered with Kev Howard a North East-based photographer whose work explores disability, body image and social justice to create Claiming the Normal. The exhibition opened at Newcastle Central Library in November 2025 as part of Disability History Month and features striking portraits of disabled people at work, shopping, enjoying hobbies, getting ready in the morning, and engaging in ordinary activities.
The project is ongoing. Disabled people who do not see themselves reflected in the project are encouraged to get involved.
Source: Claiming the Normal: Kev Howard
Average improvement in self-rated understanding of digital accessibility after the Disability History Month 2025 Lunch & Learn session held online, open to all
What disability history month 2025 delivered in Newcastle
Claiming the Normal, Central Library
Portraits of disabled people living ordinary lives at work, in shops, enjoying hobbies exhibited publicly. The project challenges the "superhuman Paralympian" and "tragedy" stereotypes that dominate stock photography and shapes how organisations communicate about disability.
Source: Claiming the Normal: Kev Howard
Zine workshop, City Library
Artist Miki Rogers led a hands-on zine-making workshop for young people aged 12–15 at Newcastle City Library, Poet's Corner (Level 3) on 22 November 2025. Part of Disability History Month's exploration of "Disability, Life and Death." Described by participants as "fabulously fun" and "a great way to relax and socialise." Limited to 15 places; all materials provided.
Source: Zine Workshop, DHM 2025
Alphabetti Theatre: equality training
Difference NE delivered Disability, Equality, Awareness & Etiquette Training to Alphabetti Theatre staff practical, lived-experience-led approaches to accessibility, language, power and responsibility. Participants described it as "really useful," "insightful" and "right to the point with no fluff." Cultural organisations actively seeking disabled-led expertise, not as a tick-box exercise.
Source: From Insight to Impact: DHM 2025
Disability Canon discussions
In-person and online sessions explored representation, power and ableism in disability culture and history. Participants described feeling listened to and valued sometimes for the first time in a public discussion about disability. These sessions created space where experiences could be named, shared and taken seriously.
Source: From Insight to Impact: DHM 2025
Unruly at Live Theatre
Unruly, written by Vici Wreford-Sinnott and directed by Difference NE's Bex Bowsher, toured to Live Theatre, Newcastle in 2025. A bold, urgent production about disabled women's resistance, friendship and the fight for rights. Disabled artists led the production ensuring disabled people were not just talked about, but in control of their own narratives.
Changing Places at Star & Shadow
Star and Shadow Cinema 100% volunteer-run, on Warwick Street NE2 1BB installed a Changing Places toilet using £15,000 from its own trading income over four years, plus a grant covering a quarter of the cost. Without such facilities, disabled people with profound mobility needs either stay home or travel within only a few miles of their residence. The cinema heard this community need from the outset and built it into the architect plans.
Climate justice is disability justice: Newcastle's climate forum
Disabled people are disproportionately affected by climate change through higher energy costs, greater sensitivity to heat and air quality, reliance on medical equipment, and the strong correlation between disability and fuel poverty. Newcastle City Council's Climate Change Forum in 2025 demonstrated both how much needs to change, and what it looks like when disabled people push their way into the room anyway.
What happened at the Helix
Newcastle City Council hosted its Climate Change Forum at the Helix complex the technology and research estate off St James' Boulevard. A Difference NE member attended and encountered what they described as normal challenges: the complex was hard to navigate, with unlabelled buildings that caused them to arrive late. A planned tour to the Energy Centre was uphill and inaccessible; council workers improvised an alternative on the spot a welcome adjustment, but one that should have been planned in advance.
"I advocated for the needs of disabled people on multiple fronts: difference in energy needs and usage, disability and the strong correlation with poverty and therefore costs, and also the need for accessible information to always be available."
The session covered Newcastle's Net Zero plans and the city's Heat and Energy Strategy, currently relying on gas boilers at the Helix Energy Centre with plans to convert to mine water. Attendees included residents, students, university researchers, local councillors and climate activists. The Difference NE member was the only voice specifically advocating for disabled people's energy needs and access to information.
of disabled people in the North East were unable to go out due to lack of accessible toilets a direct link between access infrastructure and participation in public life, including climate events
Access to the Everyday: what 77 disabled people told us
Published January 2026, the Access to the Everyday Report draws on in-depth focus groups from across the region including Newcastle plus a regional survey. The findings confirm what disabled people in Newcastle have been experiencing and reporting for years.
Source: Access to the Everyday 2026
PIP cuts & Newcastle's MPs
Newcastle has three constituencies represented by MPs who faced the same test in July 2025: vote for or against welfare reforms that Difference NE and 64 organisations including Amnesty International UK said would devastate disabled communities in the North East. Only one of Newcastle's three MPs passed that test.
The chairs were empty. Then the vote came.
On 30 June 2025, Difference NE hosted an online drop-in for North East MPs to hear from disabled constituents before voting. 18 MPs did not attend. On 9 July 2025, the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill passed its third reading 336 to 242. Only 9 North East MPs voted against. Government concessions included removing the proposed 4-point PIP eligibility rule and accepting a co-production taskforce (the Timms review) welcomed but insufficient. The Bill now moves to the House of Lords.
Read: The Chairs Were Empty. The Issue Remains. · Reflecting on the Universal Credit Bill · PIP Cuts Risk North East Lives
Newcastle's MPs where they stood
Chi Onwurah
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West (Labour)
✗ Voted for welfare cuts
Prior to the vote, Chi Onwurah hosted a workshop where members shared their concerns and wrote to Secretary of State Sir Stephen Timms. Ultimately voted for the bill.
Est. loss to disabled constituents: ~£20.9M (~25,353 people, ~£231/person)
Catherine McKinnell
Newcastle upon Tyne North (Labour)
✗ Voted for welfare cuts
Est. loss to disabled constituents: ~£10M (~18,106 people, ~£137/person)
Mary Glindon
Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend (Labour)
✓ Voted against welfare cuts
Publicly thanked by Difference NE. Mary Glindon also wrote to the Secretary of State after meeting with Citizens Advice and Disability North colleagues.
Potential protection for disabled constituents: ~£20.2M (~24,702 people, ~£255/person)
Data: Difference NE MP tracker (June 2025) & Universal Credit Bill reflection (July 2025)
What the PIP cuts mean for Newcastle constituents
- PIP is not a passive payment it is what makes employment possible. A Difference NE member, Fran, described her job as being possible only because of Access to Work, PIP and her social care package. Without PIP she would be unable to manage her pain and would end up in A&E more "which costs them more."
- PIP covers costs employers won't: transport to inaccessible workplaces, specialist equipment, support worker gaps. Cutting it pushes disabled people out of work the opposite of what the government claims to intend.
- 500,000 UK carers rely on PIP recipients' income. The North East already has the highest rate of unpaid carers. Cuts here hit multiple people simultaneously.
- The Green Paper consultation was described by Disability Rights UK as "entirely bogus" with no accessible in-person events in the North East until after disabled people organised their own.
Sources: PIP Cuts Risk North East Lives; Reflecting on the Universal Credit Bill
Source: Disability Green Paper Workshop
"It was the incredible strength, commitment, and fight of the Deaf and Disabled community, our organizations, and our allies. It was a win, and it's important we celebrate that."
Disability-connected venues & organisations in Newcastle
The following venues have been directly involved in Difference NE activity in Newcastle, or are disability-connected organisations serving the city.
Exhibition venue
Newcastle Central Library
Hosted the Claiming the Normal photography exhibition by Kev Howard November 2025, as part of Disability History Month. Publicly accessible, city centre location.
Princess Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1DX
newcastle.gov.uk/libraries (opens in new tab)Community venue
Newcastle City Library
Hosted the Disability Green Paper Workshop (June 2025, Room 7) and the Disability History Month zine workshop for young people (November 2025, Poet's Corner, Level 3).
33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AX
newcastle.gov.uk/cityLibrary (opens in new tab)Theatre (training partner)
Alphabetti Theatre
Received disability equality, awareness and etiquette training from Difference NE staff during Disability History Month 2025. Cultural venue actively seeking disabled-led expertise.
alphabettitheatre.co.uk (opens in new tab)Theatre (Unruly tour venue)
Live Theatre
Newcastle venue that hosted Unruly the disabled-women-led production directed by Bex Bowsher during the 2025 tour. A space where disabled stories have been centred.
live.org.uk (opens in new tab)Accessible cinema / Changing Places
Star and Shadow Cinema
100% volunteer-run DIY cinema, gig venue, bar, café, library and garden. Installed a Changing Places toilet using £15,000 of its own trading income with hoist, changing bench, shower and washbasin. A model for grassroots venues taking accessibility seriously.
Warwick Street, Newcastle, NE2 1BB
starandshadow.org.uk (opens in new tab)Council / climate forum
Newcastle Helix
Technology and research estate off St James' Boulevard. Hosted Newcastle City Council's Climate Change Forum. Difficult to navigate for disabled people unlabelled buildings, uphill tour route. Disability access planning needed from the outset, not improvised on the day.
newcastlehelix.com (opens in new tab)Organisations serving Newcastle
Disability North
Regional disability charity. Co-hosted the Disability Green Paper Workshop at City Library (June 2025). Signatory to the letter calling for North East in-person welfare consultation.
disabilitynorth.org.uk (opens in new tab)Citizens Advice Newcastle
Co-hosted the Green Paper workshop. Benefits and rights advice. Contact for future welfare-related events and co-hosted sessions.
citizensadvicenewcastle.org.uk (opens in new tab)Newcastle Climate Action
City-wide climate action network. Difference NE expressed commitment to connect with Newcastle Climate Action as part of its climate justice work following the Helix forum.
climateactionnewcastle.com (opens in new tab)Difference North East
Disability rights campaigning organisation for the whole North East, including Newcastle. DDPO-led. Free membership. Hosts events across the city and region.
differencenortheast.org.ukCommon questions about disability in Newcastle
What has Difference North East done in Newcastle?
Significant activity includes: disability equality training at Alphabetti Theatre (November 2025); the Claiming the Normal photography exhibition at Central Library (November 2025); a zine workshop for ages 12–15 at City Library (22 November 2025); Disability Canon discussions; attending Newcastle City Council's Climate Change Forum at the Helix and advocating for disability inclusion in the city's Net Zero plans; and co-hosting the Disability Green Paper Workshop at City Library with Citizens Advice Newcastle and Disability North in June 2025.
What is the Claiming the Normal exhibition and where can I find out more?
Claiming the Normal is a photography project by North East photographer Kev Howard, created in partnership with Difference NE. It features portraits of disabled people living ordinary lives at work, shopping, in hobbies as a direct response to the absence of authentic disability representation in stock photography. It was exhibited at Newcastle Central Library in November 2025. Disabled people who don't see themselves reflected are invited to get involved: hello@differencenortheast.org.uk. Read more: Claiming the Normal: Kev Howard.
How did Newcastle's MPs vote on the welfare reform bill?
Chi Onwurah (Newcastle Central and West) and Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle North) both voted for the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at its third reading on 9 July 2025. Mary Glindon (Newcastle East and Wallsend) voted against the cuts and is publicly thanked by Difference NE for standing with disabled people. Chi Onwurah had previously hosted a member workshop and written to the Secretary of State, but ultimately voted for the bill. Contact: chi.onwurah.mp@parliament.uk, catherine.mckinnell.mp@parliament.uk, mary.glindon.mp@parliament.uk.
What is a Changing Places toilet and where is the nearest one to Newcastle city centre?
A Changing Places toilet is a large accessible room with a changing bench, ceiling track hoist, shower, toilet and washbasin. It enables people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, or other disabilities that severely limit mobility, to use facilities with their carers safely and with dignity. Standard accessible toilets do not provide this equipment or space. Star and Shadow Cinema (Warwick Street, Newcastle NE2 1BB) installed a Changing Places toilet in November 2022, funded by four years of community trading income (£15,000) and a grant. Read more: Changing Places, Difference NE.
How can I get involved in disability campaigning in Newcastle?
Join Difference North East for free as a member or become an ally. Share your story experiences feed directly into research, training and campaigns. Contact your Newcastle MP about welfare reform and local access issues using the emails listed above. To get involved in climate justice work through DCAF, email hello@differencenortheast.org.uk.
All Newcastle-related resources
Claiming the Normal: Everyday Lives Through the Lens of Kev Howard
The photography exhibition that opened at Newcastle Central Library portraits of disabled people living ordinary lives, challenging stereotypes and claiming everyday space.
Impact Report · Dec 2025From Insight to Impact: Disability History Month 2025
Full account of DHM 2025 activity across the North East including Alphabetti Theatre training, Disability Canon sessions, zine workshops and digital accessibility learning in Newcastle.
Event · Nov 2025Zine Workshop Make Noise Without Social Media (Ages 12–15)
Artist Miki Rogers led a zine-making workshop at Newcastle City Library (Poet's Corner, Level 3) for young people aged 12–15, as part of DHM's exploration of "Disability, Life and Death."
Campaign · Aug 2025We Navigated Barriers at Newcastle's Forum. Now We're Building Accessible Climate Leadership.
Why the Disabled Climate Action Forum (DCAF) is being relaunched and what accessible climate leadership actually requires, based on the Helix forum experience.
Experience · 2025I Attended the Climate Change Forum Hosted by Newcastle City Council
First-person account of attending the Helix forum navigation barriers, the inaccessible Energy Centre tour, and advocating for disability inclusion in Newcastle's Net Zero plans.
Event · June 2025Disability Green Paper Workshop Newcastle City Library
Co-hosted with Citizens Advice Newcastle and Disability North at City Library, Room 7. People receiving health or disability benefits shared views on proposed government changes, fed into the consultation.
Campaign · May 2025PIP Cuts Risk North East Lives: Voices, Data, and How to Resist
Constituency-level financial impact data, member voices on what PIP makes possible, and a breakdown of what the proposed cuts would mean for disabled people and carers.
Campaign · June 2025The Chairs Were Empty. The Issue Remains.
18 North East MPs including two Newcastle MPs skipped the welfare reform drop-in. Full breakdown of who attended, who voted how, and what it cost disabled constituents.
Reflection · July 2025Reflecting on the Universal Credit Bill Rest to Resist
What the concessions mean, who voted how, what comes next in the Lords, and why care, community and rest are themselves forms of resistance. "We are a roar."
Research Report · 2026Access to the Everyday Report 2026 (PDF)
77 disabled people across the North East on transport, respect, public services, benefits and work. The evidence base behind everything on this page.
Impact Report · Jan 2026Driving Difference 2024–25
How disabled people across the North East shaped change in Year One including the transport consultation, the welfare campaign, DCAF and the Darlington community discussions.
Local win · Nov 2022Star and Shadow Cinema Opens Their Changing Places Toilet
How a 100% volunteer-run Newcastle cinema used four years of its own trading income to install a full Changing Places facility and why it matters for disabled people's participation in cultural life.
Culture · 2025Unruly: The Power of Disabled Women's Voices
Directed by Difference NE's Bex Bowsher, Unruly toured to Live Theatre Newcastle a bold, urgent production about disabled women's resistance, friendship and rights. Disabled artists in control of their own narratives.
Get involved in Newcastle
Join Difference North East for free and be part of everything from community discussions and culture to welfare campaigning and climate justice. Your voice matters and we mean that without irony.