The Tiny Lives ‘Meet, Chat, Learn’ sessions are a great way to meet other neonatal families, learn new skills and spend some bonding time with your little one. Our groups and classes are organised and funded by Tiny Lives and facilitated by our approved delivery partners, so they are always free of charge to neonatal parents.
We are delighted to offer classes across Newcastle, Gateshead, South Shields and Sunderland locations. Our classes are open exclusively to families who have spent time on the neonatal unit and/or Transitional Care. ‘Stay & Play’ and ‘Stay & Splash’ sessions and Bubbles are only open to families that have spent time on a neonatal unit.
Until April 2026, Meet, Chat, Learn is funded by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Use the arrow to scroll through available dates. If classes are showing as full, please email victoria@tinylives.org.uk to be added to the waitlist. Scroll down to the Support Groups Section to book Bubbles.
We have a number of support groups and classes for Neonatal Parents and we understand it can be both overwhelming and confusing to identify which classes/groups best suit your needs. Below, you’ll find information about each session.
Our Baby Yoga and Massage classes are held on a Tuesday in Newcastle and Gateshead and on Fridays in South Tyneside. Classes in Newcastle are held by Clare from Soothing Baby at West Denton Community Centre. Classes in Gateshead are held by Kalmalife at Metro Centre Community Hub. Classes in South Tyneside are held by Victoria from Kalma Life at Ridgeway Family Hub.
In our relaxed baby massage (6 weeks corrected – 6 months corrected) sessions, you will learn and practice massage techniques which support bonding with your baby and improve infants’ sleep patterns alongside helping relieve colic, wind and constipation.
In baby yoga (12 weeks corrected – mobile) and toddler yoga (mobile – 3 years), you will be guided through a range of gentle movement and touch exercises and incorporates songs and rhyme to enhance playful interaction and communication between parent and baby to promote their healthy development.
Our Lovabelle Sensory sessions are held on a Wednesday at 2 Visage House in South Shields. These classes are delivered by Gemma from Lovabelle and are open to babies who are 6 weeks corrected to mobile .
Lovabelle Sensory is an interactive sensory class to introduce babies to their first sensory experiences. Sessions are filled with fun and engaging activities to aid your babies development. You can expect lots of themed weeks, music and movement and mesmerising visual shows that will wow your babies.
Our Music, Movement and Sensory classes are held by Lucy from The Baby Hub Gateshead.
Classes take place in Newcastle at Owl Tree Cafe for babies 6 weeks corrected – mobile and for babies mobile-3 years on Wednesdays, and on a Thursday afternoon at Swalwell Community Centre for babies 6 weeks corrected to mobile.
Music, Movement and Sensory (M+Ms) is an award-winning class that focuses on learning through play with sing-a-long songs, props, activities and music. There will be bubbles, ribbons, sensory materials, mirrors, musical instruments, play parachutes and much more. Each week there will be a theme such as Disney, Garden, Space and Under the sea.
Our Art and Creative Play sessions are held at two locations, on a Friday morning at Great Park Community Centre by Emily from Artventurers and on a Wednesday at Blaydon Youth and Community Centre from 1:30-2:30 run by Debbie from ArtVenturers Gatesheadand are open to babies who are Mobile – 3 years.
These award-winning sessions aim to nurture and develop a child’s creativity by providing them with the opportunities, guidance, inspiration and materials to explore, experiment and express themselves through a range of colourful art, creative and sensory activities.
Gateshead classes will be on Wednesdays at Blaydon Youth and Community Centre from 1:30-2:30 run by Debbie from ArtVenturers Gateshead
Our fun Toddler Yoga (mobile to 3 years) sessions are based around simple movements and relaxation practices, which incorporate a playful approach using songs and rhyme. Sensory and story based sessions are used alongside yoga stretches, and breathing techniques are introduced promoting imagination and overall well being.
Support Groups are a great way to meet other parents who ‘get’ the Neonatal journey, Tiny Lives helps to run a range of groups for various needs. These sessions are only available to families that have been on the neonatal unit.
If classes are showing as full, please email victoria@tinylives.org.uk to be added to the waitlist.
The Bubbles Group is a small, fun and friendly support and developmental group facilitated by the Newcastle Community Nursing Team and 0-19 Service who host weekly sessions on a Wednesday afternoon at Fawdon Children’s Centre for parents whose babies have been discharged to 2 years/walking independently from Ward 35 at the RVI.
The sessions provide a safe and stimulating environment to encourage your child’s development through play, sensory exploration, song and music time. It is an opportunity to ask questions and meet other parents whose babies have been on the neonatal unit to chat and support each other. Click here for more information.
Our Stay and Play sessions are held at The Alan Shearer Activity Centre in Newcastle, the second Saturday of the month, and are open to babies who are 6 weeks corrected – 3 years (and siblings up to 8 years).
They are facilitated by Tiny Lives staff and is an opportunity to meet other families with similar experiences in a relaxed and friendly environment while your little ones play.
We have access to most of the centre, including the sensory rooms, immersive room, café and the hydro therapy pool (two slots are available per session)
Until April 2026, Meet, Chat, Learn is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
