Dine-Ability North East

10/06/2026

Date - 15/05/26
Restaurant – Manjaros - Newcastle
Time - 12.00

We visited Manjaros in Newcastle, we did call ahead to check there was a ramp to access the restaurant. On arrival staff come straight out however once set up , the ramp was extremely close to the curb of the main road.

We felt really nervous using the assessable entrance due to not having a lot of room to manoeuvre onto the ramp.

Our support staff helped us drive safely in our power chars. We all agreed we wouldn’t have been able to access the restaurant without our support staff with us.

There is no automatic doors, just glass doors that open inward and it was a bit of a tight squeeze to get actually into the restaurant.

There was room to manoeuvre if you went round towards the kitchen however the other side of the restaurant you can’t manoeuvre round in a wheelchair very well at all. We did struggle to get into our table, seating felt quite squashed as its booth type seating on one side -

"There was just not a lot of room in general especially for us in wheelchairs"

The venue wasn’t busy just a few people inside and it look very clean.

There was no music on in the background, no atmosphere and it was quite cold once we were sat at our table. There was no changing places in the restaurant but there is an accessible toilet.

Unfortunately there was furniture blocking the toilet entrance , high chairs, a table etc which our support staff had to move so we could access the toilet.

The accessible toilet was small, very cold and the toilet was leaking so one of our support staff did complain as the floor was wet to which the restaurant weren’t that bothered as it doesn’t really get used.

A member of staff come to our table to take our food and drinks order. The waiter didn’t really acknowledge us and spoke more to our support staff.

We found unfortunately that the staff were not very friendly. We felt like the staff didn’t know what they were doing -

“Like they hadn’t meet people with disabilities before”.

We were not asked about any allergy or dietary needs and when our support staff explained that one of us does have dietary needs the staff refused to accommodate.

We asked if one of us could swap the chips that came with a meal for a plain single wrap due to dietary needs. Everything was initially ok until we needed supplements to one meal.

The waiter went back and forward to the chef who repeatedly said no to any supplements.

So one of our support staff went to speak directly to chef to explain the dietary needs and finally got a supplement with an additional cost.

One of us ordered a pasta dish and when asked if we would like cheese the waiter said it would be an additional £1.00 for the cheese.

Although the service wasn’t the best we all agreed that the food was really nice and portion size was really good.

The bar was high and due to the lack of space our support staff had to pay for us , cash and card payments were accepted however, it was a struggle to pay separately , even though we did inform our waiter we would all be paying separately when our food order was being taken.

We didn’t feel rushed to leave however, due to our experience, we felt uncomfortable and left as soon as we finished our meal.

Overall, we rate Manjaros Restaurant -

*Access - 2/10
*Service - 1/10

Lifelong Ability North East - LANE

20/05/2026

Restaurant Review – Sambuca’s

Date: 26/03/26
Time: 12:30 pm

We visited Sambuca’s in Percy Main as a last-minute change to our lunch plans. We didn’t book in advance and simply turned up.

We were greeted at the main entrance by a member of staff with a portable ramp to help us access the restaurant. The doors are not automatic and they arent particularly wide enough for wheelchair access unless a member if staff holds the door open , one door can be hooked back against the wall.

We were able to manoeuvre around the restaurant in our wheelchairs quite easily. However, we felt that if the restaurant had been busy, it would have been more difficult to move around comfortably.
Luckily, it was very quiet, and despite not having a booking, the restaurant was very accommodating.

We were seated easily at a table with clear access, we did take up extra space however the waiter moved chairs out of the way so we could position ourselves comfortably.

There are accessible toilets in the restaurant; however, we did not use them, so we cannot comment further.

Staff came to our table to take our order and were able to hear and understand us clearly.

“They spoke to us and not our staff.” – M

“They focused on me when ordering.” – H

The staff were very friendly and accommodating when we asked if they could blend food. They did not hesitate and simply said, “Of course.” We were very impressed, as we have previously had to leave other places because they would not blend meals. It was great to find a local restaurant that is accommodating for everyone.

There is a lunchtime special menu offering 3 courses for £8.95, although you can also order anything from the main menu.

The writing on the menu was quite small and difficult to read without support from staff.

When ordering, our waiter was excellent.

“The staff made us feel very comfortable and relaxed.”

Staff asked about allergies and confirmed everything for the blended meal.

We waited around 10 minutes for our starters. We did not feel rushed at any point, and staff waited until we had finished before asking if we were ready for our mains.

Our meal was very nice, tasted fresh, and the portion sizes were good. Both the starters and mains were served hot. The venue itself was very clean, with standard lighting for Sambuca’s and background music playing. The music was not too loud, and we were still able to have a comfortable conversation.

Overall Ratings

* Access: 5/10
* Service: 10/10

We will definitely be back 😃

Sambuca Percy Main

12/05/2026

Lifelong Ability North East - LANE

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

01/05/2026

Date: 24/04/2026

Venue: The Fire Station Wetherspoons
Whitley Bay
Time: 12:30

We visited The Fire Station Wetherspoon on Friday as part of our community day.

The venue is accessible from the outside with a beer garden area at the front that includes many tables and chairs near the entrance. There is a ramp leading to the main doors which are wide enough for wheelchair access. However, the doors are not automatic, so assistance is needed to open them if they are closed.

Inside, the space is accessible, but it was very busy during our visit. The large number of tables and chairs made it difficult to move around, and we initially struggled to find seating together. Staff were helpful and rearranged tables and chairs so we could sit as a group and manoeuvre more easily around our seating area.

The lighting inside is quite dim and there was no background music. This made the environment feel louder, especially when trying to have conversations.

The staff were very friendly and welcoming, letting us know we could ask for help at any time. Due to how busy it was, those of us using powerchairs asked our support staff to order at the bar, which is quite high. Payment can be made by cash or card.

One member of our group was able to order independently and found the process straightforward. Staff were helpful & friendly, dietary and allergy requirements were asked prior to ordering , payment of cash or card is available and staff offered a receipt at the end of payment.

The food was very reasonably priced, with plenty of deals available rather than a fixed menu. The meals were well presented, arrived within 10–15 minutes, and were served warm. Portion sizes were generous—three of us ordered pizzas, we were quite surprised at how big these were especially being apart of a deal with a drink which offered good value for money.

The accessible toilets were a downside. They are quite small and require a radar key. Once inside, it was difficult to manoeuvre powerchairs, and the lighting was poor.

🌟 Overall we rate The Fire Station:

Accessibility: 5/10

Food & Service: 8/10

We all agreed we would definitely return 😃

24/04/2026

Date: 17/04/26
Restaurant: Lindisfarne – Wallsend
Time: 12.15pm

We visited a local restaurant as a group last Friday, We did ring to prebook as there was quite a few of us from LANE attending on this particular day.

On arrival we found that the entrance to the restaurant is accessible, however the accessible entrance is around back of the building and its not very well signposted, but the staff did let us know when we rang to make a booking how to find the accessible entrance.

The entrance doors weren’t automatic, however the doors were already open and wide enough for our chairs to fit through. The staff were very accommodating, tables and chairs were moved for us to be able to manoeuvre with ease to our table and around the restaurant.

The venue wasn’t busy, and it was really clean throughout. There was music playing in the background at a perfect volume for us to still enjoy conversation.

Once seated, staff come over to take our order, We weren’t asked about dietary/allergy needs however because we rang ahead of time to book, this was discussed with one of our support staff prior. Staff spoke directly to us when taking our orders and not through our support staff.

The menu at the front of the restaurant was a bit hard to read due to the lighting, so it would have been better to have hand held to be able to use once we were all at our tables.

There was no set menu, but there is daily lunch deals on, Friday is 2 fish and chips for £15.00

All the food was reasonably priced between £5.00 - £11.00

The food was hot, very well presented and perfectly portioned. We waited approx. 20-30minutes for our food but we didn’t mind as it was all freshly cooked We all really enjoyed our meals and we will definitely be back.

The staff were very friendly. One staff member in particular “Dan”, was dressed up as a tomato sauce bottle which we all found funny, He came over and had a photo with us and joined us for conversation.

The toilets were accessible inside, no changing places, however LANE is across the road for us and there is a changing places at wallsend library approx. 5 minutes away from the restaurant.

Overall we rate The Lindisfarne:

🌟 Accessibility - 7/10
🌟 Food & Service - 10/10

17/04/2026

Exciting news at Dine-Ability North East 🍽

We were delighted to welcome BBC Radio Newcastle to Lifelong Ability North East, where they came along to meet the lads and learn more about what Dine-Ability is all about.

It was a brilliant opportunity for everyone to share their experiences, talk about the journey so far and showcase the confidence, skills and friendships that have grown throughout.

A huge thank you to BBC Radio Newcastle for taking the time to highlight our work and help spread the word about Dine-Ability North East.

The lads did themselves proud 👏🏻

Tune in to listen below 🎧

BBC News
Lifelong Ability North East - LANE

15/04/2026

Restaurant - Head of Steam (Quayside)
Date - Friday 6th March
Time -11.45

We visted the Head of Steam and found the main entrance to the venue was accessible, although there were no automatic doors. There was also a second entrance further up the street with similar outward-opening doors.

Inside, there was plenty of space to move around comfortably in our wheelchairs. However, the accessible toilet was quite small. The baby changing table did not stay up, which made it difficult to use the space and the tap in this bathroom only provided cold running water.

The staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. They kindly allowed us to enter the restaurant 15 minutes before opening. One staff member, Kate, went above and beyond by trying to find a ramp so we could access the pool table area, which unfortunately had no step-free access. She even went to a nearby bar and restaurant to see if she could borrow one, which we really appreciated.

The lighting was ideal, and we were seated next to a large window that provided plenty of natural light, making it a great spot for people-watching.

There was music playing in the background at a comfortable volume—loud enough to enjoy but quiet enough for conversation.

Ordering was easy, and the counter was at an appropriate height. The menu was clear, with large, easy-to-read text. We ordered chicken gyros and chips as part of a lunchtime deal for £10, which was very good value. The food took around 15–20 minutes to arrive and was freshly cooked, well-presented, and served at the perfect temperature.

Everyone enjoyed their meals 😃

The venue was quiet when we arrived but became busier around 12:30 pm. Despite this, we never felt rushed and found it to be a relaxed environment—somewhere we would happily return to for drinks and to unwind.

Paying was straightforward, with the option to use cash or card at the bar. The venue was also clean and well-maintained throughout.

Overall, we would rate the service 10/10 for its friendliness and attentiveness. Accessibility, however, would be rated 6/10 due to the issues with the toilet and limited access to certain areas.

The Head of Steam Quayside
Lifelong Ability North East - LANE

13/03/2026

The Ritz - Wallsend

We had a positive experience at the Ritz and found it to be a generally accessible and welcoming venue. The entrance has both steps and a ramp; however, there are two non-automatic doors, which can make entering difficult without assistance. Staff were happy to help by holding the doors open.

Wheelchair users can move around the venue, although the number of tables and chairs can make manoeuvring more difficult, especially when visiting as a group. The Ritz has a spacious accessible toilet with wide door access, but there are no Changing Places facilities, however there is a Changing Places facility at the library 2 minutes away.

Lighting inside is dim but supported by some natural light, with the extension area being much brighter. There was no music playing, which created a calm environment. The venue was very busy during our visit, likely due to it being a Friday.

Staff were very friendly and approachable, speaking directly to us when ordering and assisting with payments and drinks. Although the bar is high for wheelchair users and the card machine cannot be moved, staff were helpful in supporting us to place and pay for their orders.

The menu offers a wide variety of food options, including daily specials and meal deals, though the large number of items can be overwhelming and difficult to read. Food arrived in around 10 minutes, was served hot, and portions were a reasonable size. Staff were happy to accommodate dietary requests, and we did not feel rushed to leave. We did notice some clutter around the bar and tables with used plates.

Overall we rate the Ritz 9/10

We enjoyed our visit due to the friendly staff and good-quality food. As the Ritz is close by, we visit regularly and will definitely return.

Photo of D posting to social media 💚

Lifelong Ability North East - LANE

11/03/2026

The Meadows Café

We visit The Meadows Café regularly as part of our activities at The Meadows, and it has become a favourite place for many of us.

The building is easy to access: enter through the front into the reception area, or through the back into the café via automatic doors. Once inside, we’re able to move around comfortably thanks to the space, although it’s worth noting that the internal doors are not automatic.

There aren’t any Changing Places facilities, but there are accessible toilets that are easy to reach, a good size inside, and always clean and well stocked. In fact, all the bathrooms are consistently maintained to a high standard.

The café itself is bright and welcoming with good lighting throughout. There is a TV playing a radio station at a reasonable volume, which creates a nice atmosphere while still allowing everyone to socialise easily.

The staff at the meadows always create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere when we visit, greeting us with eye contact and smiles. We are all supported to order independently at the counter, which is at a good height — we can see the staff clearly, and they can see us. Staff speak directly to us, listen carefully, and communicate with us rather than through our support staff, which we really value.

Meals are very reasonably priced, ranging from £2–£4, with a daily special costing £4. There’s a good variety of meals available, and the daily specials are advertised in advance on their page. This is really helpful, as it allows clients to look ahead and decide what they would like. We do feel the menu could be made even better by using slightly larger print to make it easier to read.

Food is usually served within 10–20 minutes. It always arrives hot, the portion sizes are generous, and we leave feeling full and satisfied. We especially look forward to katsu chicken curry day! The chef is very accommodating when it comes to dietary requirements, which helps us all make their own choices more easily.

We never feel rushed during our visits and really enjoy the opportunity to socialise, often seeing people we know from other events and activities. We can order and pay independently using either cash or card. The card machine isn’t fixed in one place, which is helpful as it can be brought closer to make paying independently.

Each time we visit, the café is clean and tidy. Staff usually clear our plates once we have finished and left the table.

We all thoroughly enjoy visiting The Meadows Café. It’s a friendly, relaxed place where we can enjoy a good meal and have even made some new friends along the way.

If you haven’t visited this café yet, you’re definitely missing out — we would highly recommend giving it a try!

10/10

Lifelong Ability North East - LANE
The Meadows Community Centre

27/02/2026

Date: 6/2/26
Restaurant: The William Jameson - Wetherspoons
Time: 1:00 pm

We travelled to Sunderland for our community day and visited Wetherspoons across the road from the Sunderland Winter Gardens.

The building was easy to access from the outside. Although there was no automatic doors, staff and members of the public were quick to hold the doors open for us.

We received a very warm welcome on arrival, and it was fairly easy to manoeuvre inside. However, fitting us all around a table was quite difficult because the tables were close together. Our support staff had to move furniture so we could all sit comfortably.

The lighting inside was quite bright, and there was no background music, which made the venue seem even noisier. It was also very warm. One of us had to go outside for some fresh air as we felt a little overwhelmed by the noise and heat.

Ordering food was quite difficult as it was very busy. There were queues at the bar, and the bar was also too high for us to pay easily. Staff had to lean over the bar to take our orders. We were not asked about allergies or dietary needs, but we appreciated that staff spoke directly to us rather than through our support staff.

We all ordered a meal with a drink, which cost £11.29 each. There was no set menu, but there were plenty of options to choose from, including different daily deals.

The staff were friendly. One staff member brought cutlery and sauces to our table so we didn’t have to collect them ourselves.

Staff regularly checked in to ask if we needed anything else.
The food took approximately 10–15 minutes to arrive. It was very nice, and we were not rushed to leave. We were able to stay as long as we wanted, which we appreciated as we all take different amounts of time to eat.

We did not use the toilets in the restaurant as it was too busy to get through. Instead, we went over to the museum, where the toilets were larger and had changing facilities.

Overall rating: 6/10

Photo of S posting review to social media. He was very excited to do this!

Lifelong Ability North East - LANE