CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

Wednesday 29 October 2025

• 19:00 - 21:00

• North Shields Library, Northumberland Square, North Shields, NE30 1QU

  Free event – booking essential

  Reserve your free ticket now!

  Join artist Conrad Milne and historian David Scholey for an engaging talk exploring the history behind the 800 North Shields artwork. David shares local stories and historical context, making connections through Conrad’s work.

  Plenty of time to view the artworks and ask questions.

  Contact details: Instagram

Touring 23 September – 11 December, 2025

A powerful new production exploring national identity, belonging and community is set to tour across the North East and beyond this autumn, with funding from North Shields Cultural Quarter. 

Buy tickets for North Shields Fish Quay performance

The tour includes a performance on North Shields Fish Quay on Saturday October 25.

Created by acclaimed choreographer and theatre-maker Anthony Lo-Giudice, Se Gæst | The Guest blends dance, live music and storytelling to pose urgent questions about who we are as a nation — and what it truly means to belong.

Anthony Lo-Giudice is a North East-based artist known for his emotionally charged, visually striking productions that centre on place, people and identity. With a background in dance and theatre, his work has toured nationally and internationally, often rooted in the stories and landscapes of the North East of England. Se Gæst | The Guest is his most ambitious project to date — developed in collaboration with communities across the country.

The production follows the story of a young boy who washes up on the shores of England, prompting a community in turmoil to confront their beliefs about tolerance, blame, nostalgia and the rapidly changing world around them. 

Built from real conversations and interviews with people across England, the piece explores the country’s complex, and often conflicting, feelings around identity and belonging.

“This work is about listening. About the uncomfortable, the conflicted, and the tender parts of what it means to be from somewhere - or to arrive there. Through movement, story, and music, we’re asking: who do we become when we stand together?”
— Anthony Lo-Giudice

Rich with original music, physical performance and raw storytelling, Se Gæst | The Guest is both deeply personal and boldly political. The work invites audiences to reflect on their own place within a shifting national narrative, asking: who are we, where have we come from, and where are we going - together?

Public preview of the North Shields 800 artwork by artist Conrad Milne.

Saturday 18 October 2025

• 12:00 14:30

• Three Tanners Bank. Tanners’ Bank. North Shields. NE30 1JH.

A chance to view the artworks up close and discuss with the artist.

Seven large scale panels on show.

The artwork is displayed upstairs at the venue.

Cost: Free

No Booking Required

Contact details: Instagram

CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

Be Proud. Be who you are. Be more penguin.

I am Hamzeh. This is the story of my life (so far).

Full of humour and beauty, Hamzeh’s extraordinary story transports you to Syria,

Za’atari refugee camp, Gateshead in the UK and his mind: a place of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles.

Cost: £12, concession £6 (young people) £1 (people seeking sanctuary as refugees and asylum seekers)

Booking information: Penguin | The Exchange

Social Media Links: Facebook Instagram

A free family festival is returning to Northumberland Square, North Shields on Saturday 13 September 2025, from 11am to 4pm.

North Tyneside Together brings communities together through live music, entertainment, rides, workshops, food stalls and children’s activities – a perfect way to round off the summer holidays.

Visitors can explore information stalls, meet local emergency services with police cars, ambulances and fire engines and enjoy a sensory corner designed for children of all needs.

There will be storytelling in the library, creative workshops and plenty of food and refreshments on offer.

The entertainment lineup includes steel and afro-cuban jazz bands, drummers, gospel choirs, and performances by School of Sanctuary pupils, as well as a welcome from Elected Mayor, Karen Clark.

The event is part of the North Shields 800 celebrations, marking the town’s 800th anniversary and is organised by North Tyneside Council’s Ethnic Diversity Community Task Force.

 North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Karen Clark, said: “North Tyneside Together is a brilliant day out for families and a great way to bring our communities together. There’s something for everyone, from music and food to crafts and games – it’s always a lovely atmosphere. It’s events like this that celebrate everything that makes North Tyneside such a great place to live and visit.”

North Tyneside Together Festival Programme

 Main stage:

 11.00-12.00 North Tyneside Steel Band

12.00-12.15 Welcome from the Mayor

12.15-12.45 School of Sanctuary

12.45-13.15 DholBuzz UK

13.15-13.30 Aslan Mehraban

13.30-14.30 Castillo Nuevo Trio

14.30-15.30 Voice of Virtue Gospel Choir

Story telling sessions:

11.15, 12.15, 13.15, 14.15, 15.15

All day:

Children’s sensory corner, face painting, outdoor games, fairground rides, arts and crafts, information stalls

Get creative this summer in our free workshops for young people.

Tuesday 27 August 2025

With artist Mark Skillet

Radio presenting 10.00am - 12.00pm

Open to young people in Years 4-6 (age 8-11)

DJ skills 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Open to young people in Years 7-9 (aged 11-14)

No experience needed. Priority for spaces will go to North Shields residents

Helix Arts, North Tyneside Business Centre, Saville Street, North Shields, NE30 1NT

Book your place HERE.

Get creative this summer in our free workshops for young people.

Tuesday 12 August 2025

With artist Bex Harvey

Analogue Photography 10.00am - 12.00pm

Open to young people in Years 7-9 (age 11-14)

Printmaking 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Open to young people in Years 4-6 (aged 8-11)

No experience needed. Priority for spaces will go to North Shields residents

Riverside Family Hub, North shields, NE29 6QD

Book your place HERE.

Are you a parent or grandparent over 55 who would like to send a lasting letter to your children and grandchildren?

Join writer and artist Amanda Quinn to share some of your favourite journeys and memories through a letter.

Thursday 31 July 2025 2pm-4pm

Wideopen Library, 101 CAnterbury Way, Wideopen, NE13 6JJ

Priority for spaces will be given to North Tyneside residents from NE 13 and NE23 postcode.

No experience necessary. Fir adults 18+

Book your place HEAR.

CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

For people who love music and enjoy the magic of dance. This performance is a story of love, loss, betrayal, enlightenment, nostalgia, strength and reflection through the eyes of an (extra)ordinary boy.

Book your tickets here

North Tyneside Business Forum invite you to their morning seminar to Boost Your Business Finances with Confidence.

Running your own business means wearing a lot of hats - don’t let finance be the one that holds you back.

This exclusive member-only event is designed to give North Tyneside’s self-employed professionals and small business owners the financial tools and expert insights they need to grow sustainably and confidently.

Led by local financial planner Brianna Bruce, Wealth Management Consultant and tax expert Justyna from M&K Accounting, this practical and relaxed morning session will help you protect your income, reduce your tax bill, and plan for long-term success.

Book your place HERE

You can find out more about becoming a member of the North Tyneside Business Forum HERE

CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

Being your own CEO

Rachel Adam

As a freelance artist you are juggling many things - you need to be your own CEO, Creative Director, Finance Manager, Delivery Driver and many other things too. Demands of day-to-day delivery can get in the way of you having a vital time to wear your CEO ‘hat’ and think longer term about the bigger picture of your practice.

This workshop creates space for you to reflect on your vision and purpose and what you aim to achieve as an artist. We will explore the values that underpin your work and the goals and priorities you have for the next 1-3 years. Working individually, in pairs and small groups, by the end of the workshop you will have identified your next steps and achievable actions that support your goals.

Register here

Who do we write songs for, and how does that change what gets written?

Hosted by Groundbird - the songwriting pseudonym of Northumbria University academic Richard O'Brien - this is the second in a series of events where some of the North East's top musicians will be in conversation, discussing how they think about the songs they write.T

his event features Staithe and Pete Dale of Milky Wimpshake, who between them havea wealth of experience releasing independent music, putting on DIY gigs, and writing incollaboration with community organisations. The show is free, with each act playingabout 30 minutes each, followed by an onstage Q&A discussion.

Doors will be at 5pm, with an opening song from Groundbird around 5:15, Pete Dale onaround 5:30 and Staithe at 6:15, with the Q&A starting at 7.

Book HERE

The photo on this poster is used under a Creative Commons license: "STOP Collaborate and Listen" by Erica Reid is licensed under CC BY 2.0

CoCafe is part of Artists' Agency, Helix Arts' artist development programme. It is a monthly drop in for artists and small creative businesses.

Come share what you are working on, troubleshoot projects, seek feedback and get funding help from peers and Helix Arts. Our artist led micro-teaches will also be back soon, got a skill you’d love to share? Get in touch and let us know.

Plus, cuppa’s are on us of course!

Booking for CoCafe isn’t necessary, but if you have access requirements please get in touch and share them ahead of attending so we can make any necessary adjustments to the session.

Join fellow North Tyneside Business owners for a morning packed with inspiration, practical advice, and new opportunities. Our expert speakers will help you rethink how you market, network, and use technology to grow your business. You’ll leave with fresh ideas and connections that could take your business to the next level.

What you’ll gain

• A business mindset that fuels success - stay motivated and ready for long-term growth

• Networking skills that deliver results - build relationships that truly benefit your business

• AI-powered business strategies - learn how to make technology work for you

• A supportive business community - connect with like-minded people who get it

Expert speakers

Lisa Bean - The power of show, don’t tell

Jeni Smith - Network strategically and reap business rewards

Pascal Fintoni - Let AI work for business success

The event is FREE for North Tyneside Businesses Book here

Limited tickets are available for businesses outside the borough - £20 +fees