It has been found that many disabled young people in South Tyneside do not access their local community centres for a variety of reasons. Youth provision in the borough has mainly been provided by the PHAB Club, Gateway, the Deaf Project and other voluntary organisations.

While these organisations provide an excellent service it is felt that the there is a need for disabled young people to have the opportunity to use facilities which are local to them, to enable them to make community links. The Neighbourhood Access Project aims to support young people and their families to access local community facilities. The Project will also work with youth workers, community centres and young people on disability issues. Young people on the scheme will be assisted by support workers. It is important that they have a friendly point of contact at the centres and that centre staff are supportive of the project.