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 offer classes across Newcastle, Gateshead, South Shields and Washington and they are open exclusively to families who have spent time on the neonatal unit and/or Transitional Care. 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.
In our relaxed Baby Massage 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 sessions 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.
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.
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.
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.
Water Confidence is a fun, supportive class designed for babies and their parents to enjoy the water together while building confidence in a safe and relaxed environment. Through gentle water activities, songs, splashing, floating, and playful movement, babies can develop early water awareness while strengthening their bond with their parent or carer. Perfect for introducing little ones to the pool, encouraging confidence and creating special memories together.
Baby Bounce is a gentle, relaxed session designed for babies from birth until they become mobile (crawling, standing, walking) and include finger rhymes, knee bouncing, simple action songs, calm, bonding time with your baby. Perfect for early development and a lovely way to meet other neonatal parents too.
Bubbles and Stay & Play are flexible support sessions booked one at a time and 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.
The Bubbles Group is a small, fun and friendly support and developmental group facilitated by the Newcastle Community Nursing Team and 0-19 Service. 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 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 centers, including the sensory rooms, immersive room, café and the hydrotherapy pool at The Alan Shearer Activity Centre (two slots are available per session)
Book Meet Chat Lean classes, Bubbles and Stay & Play here – we are looking forward to welcome you!
If you have any questions or need support, please email [email protected]
Until September 2026, Meet, Chat, Learn is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
