Residents in Gateshead can access free, confidential health support this Saturday, 25 April 2026, during a special women’s health drop-in session at the ONE Centre. The event is part of an ongoing effort by the Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust to bring care directly into the heart of the community.
The session offers support across a wide range of needs, including sexual health, menstrual health, menopause care, and breast pain support. By setting up in community spaces rather than hospitals, organisers aim to make it easier for people to get help in a friendly and accessible environment. The OUT North East community venue, which opened in February 2026 at the Stonehills Complex, provides a safe and inclusive space for the outreach initiative.
This approach has received high-level support, with Dame Lesley Regan, the Women’s Health Ambassador for England, praising the local model during a visit earlier this month. She noted that people using these services feel safe and valued, highlighting the importance of providing care that fits into everyday life. The local health trust has invested £250,000 into these community hubs to address persistent health inequalities, where local women often face poorer long-term health outcomes than men despite living longer.
Medical leads describe the initiative as a web of support designed to increase the number of places where care is available. By moving services into settings like the ONE Centre, the project hopes to improve access to essential health checks and screenings, which currently see lower participation rates in the region. There is no need to book in advance for this Saturday’s event, allowing anyone seeking advice or health support to simply drop in.
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