Converge at Northumbria University

About Us

Here at Converge at Northumbria, we offer FREE educational campus-based opportunities to those 18+ in the community who have or are experiencing challenges associated with mental health. 
Participants are enrolled as a ‘Converge Student’ and become part of the wider community working alongside university students and academics. 
 
Based in the heart of Newcastle at Northumbria University, our bespoke courses and opportunities give you the freedom to learn, create, challenge, and inspire yourself.  

Our Background

Based on the York St John model, Converge at Northumbria was established in 2018 in conjunction with Converge at York St John University.

Courses are provided free of charge and are open to adults (18 years of age and older) currently receiving support for their mental health or who have experienced mental health issues. Our courses are supported by university students as part of their degree programmes, and we run across the academic year from September through to June. Courses are taught by university students and graduates, as well as people who have come through Converge following an experience of mental ill health and progressed to become tutors on our programme.

Alongside academics, university students and industry professionals, we deliver a rich and diverse range of courses across Drama and Performance, Movement and Dance, Fashion, Fine Art, Creative Writing, and other opportunities. We work in partnership with local mental health organisations and cultural venues and organisations to offer bespoke and collaborative creative learning opportunities.

Roots From Within

Roots From Within (2021) - In collaboration with Eliot Smith Dance.

Converge Evaluation Project

We were keen to look into the impact Converge has had on those who use it in Newcastle and York. This included Converge students (local people who have experienced mental health issues), university students, tutors, community groups and the NHS. Click here to view our findings!

Or you can Watch these amazing videos to experience the Evaluation Project first-hand and gain an inside view on the conference! More details here.

We also have some short animations of the Converge Evaluation Project findings if you want a more brief rundown of what we have been doing.

Independent evaluation of Converge at York st John University

Every £1 invested in Converge yields £11.80 of social and economic value according to a recent independent socio-economic impact analysis of Converge by the economists Carney Green.

More information can be found in the Converge Impact Assessment Report