Smile For Life

We can’t stop smiling!

We hope you all had as much fun as we did at this year’s Smile for Life fundraising variety show. Magic, singing, dancing, and a whole load of laughs. What more could you want?

Thank you to everyone who came and the fabulous acts who lit up the Whitley Bay Playhouse. We may be already counting down the days until the next one…

Danny Adams and his dad did a fantastic job hosting the show!

Lost Guy Voice made us laugh… a lot!

Wrong Boy got us grooving…

And the Rock Choir got us feeling a little bit emotional!

Tickets are now out for our Smile for a night variety show on Sunday 29th September! Held at Whitley bay Playhouse.

Join us for a night of fantastic entertainment hosted by the hilarious Danny Adams and Clive Webb.

Featuring fabulous acts from around the region such as: Lost Voice Guy, Stagecoach Children’s Drama, the Rock Choir and many more.

purchase your tickets through either of our Café’s or by clicking on this link https://www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk/events/smile-for-a-night-2024/

Tickets are now on sale for our Smile Ball 2024!

Our fabulous annual event will take place on Saturday 26^th October at the Gosforth Grand Hotel and is an amazing evening of celebration and thanks for all that our youngsters, volunteers and supporters have achieved! We’d love you to join us for a sparkling drinks reception, 3 course dinner, dancing to the brilliant ‘Hip Operation’ and the opportunity to hear some inspirational stories!

Tickets are only £70 per person or £650 per table of 10 – available through Eventbrite, in person at Café Beam, Gosforth or by emailing joel@smileforlife.org.uk

Click on this link to buy your tickets now! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smile-ball-2024-tickets-1004452613807?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Autism Awareness At Work Event in the fabulous Harry’s Bar last week – and what an inspirational event it was! Our guest speaker, Phillippa Chaplin, shared her expertise with the audience to help them understand and support colleagues, customers and clients who are on the autistic spectrum and to make our Northeast business community even more inclusive! Our very own James spoke from the heart to tell his emotional story of growing up with autism and how he has overcome so many obstacles to get to where he is now – apprentice chef at Cafe Beam! Watch this space for more events in our quest to improve understanding of autism in our community.

Huge thank you to our sponsors, Smart IT, who are committed to supporting our work and that of businesses in our community.

Robyn is a young lady with complex disabilities and health problems. The recent pandemic was especially difficult for Robyn and her family; dealing with a house move whilst in total isolation and months and months of shielding to protect her health, left the whole family desperate for some safe outdoor space in which to get fresh air and excercise for Robyn. Robyn’s mum, Michelle, contacted Smile For Life to ask for help and, together with some amazing volunteers and a generous donation from Charity Supporters Ellis Bates Financial, we were delighted to make her dreams come true. We’d like to give our heartfelt thanks to the following people for helping to make this happen:

Valuation Office Agency Newcastle, Womble Bond Dickinson Graduates, Sir Robert McAlpine, Balfour Beatty, Forestry Commission, Ellis Bates Financial Advisers.

Congratulations to our wonderful Denise Blake as she was crowned ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at last night’s Projects with Pride awards! Denise has been the driving force behind some amazing projects within our organisation and through her patience, understanding and caring manner, has gained the trust and commitment of so many of our young people. Thanks for everything you do for us Denise – you are a very deserving winner!

Please join us in congratulating our wonderful Jen Finley as runner up in the NE Youth ‘Projects With Pride Awards! Jen was nominated for her fantastic dedication as a young volunteer – mentoring young people in Cafe Beam, writing a wonderful training guide and supporting our office staff every week in her spare time!! Thank you Jen you are amazing!

It’s been so important to all of our youngsters to engage with their friends and colleagues during lockdown. Many have been shielding for a long time and with the restrictions placed upon us by the government we have had to develop new ways of helping to keep everyone positive and in good mental health. Our training sessions have been thoroughly enjoyed by all and have been in small group sessions, face to face or online for larger numbers – quizzes, cook alongs and internet safety workshops to name a few – we hope we’ve helped all of our young people during these uncertain times and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back on 17th May!

Like everyone, we are desperate for our world to get back to normal. With the announcement of another lockdown we can only hope that this, along with the vaccine, provides a wonderful light in the not too distant future. In the meantime we’ll keep your day bright with regular social media posts and pictures of happier times. If you need help or support or simply a friendly voice to chat to please don’t hesitate to get in touch with paula@smileforlife.org.uk. Also here’s a list of contacts who could offer professional help should you need it xxx

The Samaritans. 0845 7909090

Mind 0208 2152243

Childline 08001111

Crisis. 0300 6361967

Anxiety UK 03444 775774