OurnewManagementTeam
The Board of Trustees are pleased to update that we have successfully recruited into two of our key posts of the new Senior Management Team - Steve Adams as our new Chief Executive Officer and Sam Willis as our HomeManager(CQCRegisteredManager)
Steve brings a unique blend of leadership and operational expertise to our organisation. His background in managing complex organisations and diverse teams will be invaluable as we continue to provideexceptionalcaretoourresidents Stevewillwork closely with the Board of Trustees, developing our organisation’s long term strategy and business plan, and he will oversee the overall operational management and support our fundraising strategy Steve will serve as a key point of contact between our staff and the Board of Trustees His focus will be on enhancingthequalityofcareweprovide,strengthening our community partnerships, and ensuring the longtermsustainabilityofourorganisation Sam,ourpreviousdeputymanager,alreadyhasadeep understanding of our care home and the needs of our elderly residents Her extensive knowledge of best practice in care will ensure that our residents continue to receive the highest quality care and support Sam is passionate about person-centred care and is committed to creating a warm and welcoming environment for all our residents She will manage the day-to-day operations of the care home, maintain our strong values and will bring a fresh perspective and innovativeideastohernewrole We continue to search for a new Deputy Manager to replace Sam, however in the interim, Angela Chisholm has agreed to continue as Clinical Lead giving us the professionalclinicalinputrequiredforourhome.
Issue22024
“ItisgreattoseeCharlotteStrakergrow fromstrengthtostrength,eveninthese challenging times This has only been madepossibleasaresultofthefantastic staffwehave,ourgreatresidentsand their families, the volunteers and our supportivecommunity Ithasbeenanextremelybusytimebutfor theBoarditiswonderfultoseesomany positivechangeswhichhavecomeabout as a result of our surveys and via feedbackfromstaffandfamilies;weare really grateful to you for making this happen. Itiswonderfultoseesomanydifferent activities being arranged and well attended,andsuchapleasureforusto seethemanypictureswithsmilingfaces demonstratingtheenjoyment.
Wehopeeveryonehasnoticedhowgreat the gardens have been looking, with beautiful hanging baskets, well pruned rosesandimmaculategrass(thanksto Montytherobotmower)!
InOctoberweheldour32ndAGM,andit waspositivetogetsuchaglowingreport fromourauditors,sothankyoutoall thosewhoattended.
I’m now looking forward to the many festivitiesovertheupcomingChristmas andNewYearseason”
Sam Willis
Steve Adams
ChristmasShopp r
Thankyousomuchtotheorganisers oftheTynedaleGiftFairwhoinvitedour residentstocomealonganddosome Christmasshoppingduringaspecial "quiet" opening. We all had fun browsingthestallsandmanagedto pickupsomegreatChristmasgifts
The little feather Christmas trees, scarves, jewellery and kitchen accessorieswereahugehit!
HookedonHapp
WetooksomeofourresidentstoBramptonforasupportedfishing session.NewMillsFlyFishingLakeisstockedlotsofdifferenttypesof trout,andourresidentshadagreattimetryingtocatchtheirown fish.Johnsaid,“IenjoythefreshairandIIlovesittingbythelake” Ernie said he “ very much enjoyed” his fishing session AND his lunchtime beer �� . Thank you to our staff and volunteers for accompanyingourresidentsandmakingsureeveryoneenjoyedtheir morningout
ANoseforFun:EnjoyingaSensory
Adrienne,oneofourActivitiesCoordinators,hasorganisedaseriesof quizafternoonsfocussingonour5differentsensesAfterafternoons designedtotesttasteandtouchshefollowedupwithaquizon identifyingdifferentscents!Shebroughtinlotsoflittlebottles containingdifferentitemsfromraspberrytoonionWeallhadatryat guessingeachfoodsample.Nancysaid,“Idefinitelyrememberthis smell,butIcan’tplaceit”whenshewaspassedtherosemary sample Margaretwasspotonwithcoffeesample,butweall struggledwithsomeofthemincludinglavender,rosemary,and almondessence.Staffalsopoppedinandoutandhadago themselves–itwasbrilliantasabrainandmemoryexercise!
AWW2Veteran’sBirthdayBash
OurresidentDouglasKerrcelebratedhis102ndbirthday recently!BorninClaphamin1922hisfamilymovedupto WhitleyBayandwhenwarbrokeout,heenlistedintheBritish Army.AfterastintintrainingDougeventuallytravelledand spenttwoyearsinNorthAfricaandPalestineaspartofan AmmunitionsInspectionteam.
Hesharedtalesofhiswartimeexperiences,includinga narrow escape from German Junkers planes during an ammunitionrun.Dougrecountedjumpingintotheseaasthe “Stuka”planesswoopedin,hearingtheterrifyingsirenasthe planesdivebombedandhavingtoswimtoanearbyisland forrescue
Afterthewar,DougreturnedtoWhitleyBayandworkedinACASasacivil servantHeandhiswife,Joan,raisedfourchildrenandevenafterJoan passedaway,DougremainedindependentinhisWhitleyBayhomefor13 years.Doug'ssecrettolongevity?"Winegums!"hechuckles."Theykeepme going"Lastyear,DougmovedtoCharlotteStrakerHouse,wherehe's becomeabelovedmemberofourcommunityOurDeputyManager,Sam Willissaid“he’ssuchasuperstar,andwealllovehimtobits”
PSWhenthecompanythatmakeMaynardsWineGumsreadourpostthey sentDougawholeboxofthesweetsincelebrationofhisbirthday!Thank youtoMondelezInternationalforthinkingofhim.
ThankingourVolunteers
Wehadthepleasureofhostingaspecial"ThankYou"afternoontohonourourincrediblevolunteers Aspartofthis,wesaidgoodbyetothreespecialvolunteers,trusteesAngelaJones,AnnWagstaffand NeilBraithwaiteandwewerekeentothankthemfortheirunwaveringsupportanddedication.Their contributionshavemadeaprofoundimpactonthelivesofourresidentsandtheirfamiliesandmean theworldtousFromassistingwithactivitiestoprovidingcompanionship,allourvolunteersgoabove andbeyondWe'retrulygratefulfortheirsupport
PonyPower:BringingJoy
Ourresidentshadthemostmagicaldaywithaspecialvisit fromafurryfriend!KLTherapyPoniesbroughtalongCartier thetinychestnutpintoponytomeetallourresidents,andhe broughtlotsofsmilestoeveryoneatCharlotteStrakerHouse Residentsandstafflovedstrokingandpattinghim,and CartierwashappytobethecentreofattentionNancysaid, “whatabeauty,hefeelssosoftandwarm”Cartierdidn’tbat aneyelashwhilstridingupanddowninourlifttovisit residentsintheirbedroomsandMargaretMsaid,“thankyou somuchforbringinghimuptomybedsidesoIcanpathim”. Finally,thelittleponydroppedintoour“KnitandNatter”group, whomadehimaknittedflowertoplaitintohismaneThank yousomuchtoKLTherapyforbringingCartierandspreading somuchhorseyhappiness!
IzalToiletPaperandRomanLoos!
Ourresidentshadawonderfultimelisteningtoaninterestingtalkonthe historyofmedicinebyourvolunteer,PeterWood.Peterbroughtlotsof different artifacts (from the Tyne and Wear Archives Service) demonstratinghowmedicinehasevolvedovertheyears
We also shared more recent memories about health advice giventonewmumsinthe‘50sand ‘60s, info on weaning and vaccinationsandtheNHS(which launched in 1948). Most remembered the awful Izal or Broncotoiletrolls,horriblecough mixturesandtheubiquitouspotty underthebed!
RefreshingourBrandandValues
We'reexcitedtosharesomebignews!We'verefreshedour brandandvaluestobetterreflectourcommitmenttoproviding exceptionalcaretoallourresidential,nursingandrespite residents
Ourlogoisanupdatedversionofthelovelypeartreeinour grounds,andournewstrapline,"YourFamily,YourCommunity, OurHome",placeseachresident’swishes,needsandpriorities firmlyatthecentreofourorganisation,highlightsourconnection andrelatestotheunique“family”atmosphereatCharlotte StrakerHouse
OurValueshavebeenarrangedunderthememorableacronym"Family" "Family"meansthat whetheryou’reastaffmember,volunteer,resident,relativeorvisitor,webelieveyouarepartofour CharlotteStrakerfamily,andthisfamilyisattheheartofeverythingwedo.Ourvaluesare:
FocusonYou:Weprioritizetheindividualneedsandpreferencesofeachresident AchievingExcellence:Westriveforthehigheststandardsofcareandcontinuouslyseek improvement.
MakeEveryDayBetter:We'recommittedtocreatingpositiveandmeaningfulexperiencesforour residents
Integrity:Weactwithhonesty,transparency,andcompassion LinkingtotheWiderCommunity:Wefosterstrongrelationshipswithourlocalcommunity YourHome,YourChoice:Weempowerourresidentstomakechoicesandlivelifeontheirown terms.
We'reexcitedtoembarkonthisnewchapterandcontinueprovidingthebestpossiblecaretoour residents.
OurFashionShowraisesover£3500
TheCorbridgeCharityFashionShowwasanightfilledwith fabulousfashion,beautifulshoesandstunningaccessories
Theeventraisedover£3500-anamazingamountwhichwill besplitbetweenourCommunityRespiteCareBedandthe CorbridgeYouthInitiative
BereniceGroves,ChairoftheTrusteessaid“Itwasanamazing evening,andfeedbackhasbeenincrediblypositive ABIG thankyoutoeveryonewhoboughtticketsplusalltheshops, models,thecompere,andorganisers/volunteerswhomade this event possible We’re also very grateful to the local businesseswhocontributedraffleprizes–therafflewasa hugehitandhelpedusenormouslybyraisedfundsforour much-neededrespitebed,andtheCorbridgeYouthInitiative”.
Over2200litresofapplejuicepressed!
TherewasasparklingatmosphereatCorbridgeCricketClub atthe2024CommunityApplePressingwithanamazing2200 litresofapplejuiceproduced!
Thankstoalltheamazingvolunteers(includingthosestaff fromCharlotteStraker)whopickedapples,droppedthemoff attheCricketClubandturneduptowash,sortandpress themintojuice.
Onevolunteersaid“itmadeourweekendWemetnewpeople andmadenewfriendsThewholeexperiencewasfab!”
The juice was transported to Newcastle University’s microbreweryStuBrewtobemadeintocansofdelicious CorbridgeSparklingAppleJuiceandCorbridgeCiderThiswill besoldinaidofourselves,theCorbridgeYouthInitiative,and theCorbridgeCommunityPartnership.
FreedeliveryisavailablewithinafivemileradiusofCorbridge for purchases of a box of 12 cans or more To order please contactJohnMaudeat:johnmaude100@gmailcomor07791 590814
Cans of apple juice can be bought at the Corbridge Youth Initiative Christmas Fair on Saturday November 30th where orders can be placed for the cider Cans are also being sold in various food shopsinCorbridgevillage
ABloomingSuccess:OpenGardens2024
TheCorbridgeCharityOpenGardenswasaresoundingsuccessthisyear! Thankstothegloriousweather,wewelcomedaround400fantasticvisitors whohelpedusraiseastaggering£3000betweenourselvesandthe CorbridgeCommunityPartnership!
AmassivethankyougoesouttoalltheincredibleCorbridgegardenerswho openedtheirstunningplotsYourgardenslookedabsolutelyphenomenal–thehardworkyouputintrulyshonethrough
Couldyoubepartofour2025OpenGardensevent?
Areyouinterestedinshowcasingyourgardeninour2025CharityOpenGardenEventinCorbridge?If you'repassionateaboutgardeningandwanttoshareyourgreenspacewe'dlovetohearfromyou.If you'dliketobepartofthenextOpenGardenseventinJune2025,pleaseemailourFundraising Managersallyurwin@charlottestrakerorgukandwewillbeintouchtoorganiseachataboutyour garden.
WelldonetoourrunnersintheGNR24!
AHUGEWELLDONEtoourcarersAmy,Zoe,AbbieandMeganwhoran theGreatNorthRunthisyearandraisedover£1000indonations!!
Ourtrustees,staff,volunteersandresidentswerecheeringthemon, watchingthemonTVandfromthesidelinestocatchglimpsesof themallwhentheyranpast.
BereniceGroves,ChairoftheTrusteessaid"Thankyouallfortakingon suchahugechallengetoraisemoneyforourresidentsAnenormous welldonefromusall-we'resoproudofyoufortakingpart!"
AStunningnewDiningRoomTransformation
Thankstothegenerousdonationsofthe localcommunityandthesupportofParish CouncillorNickOliver,ourdiningroomhas been completely refurbished, creating a morewelcoming,stylishandcomfortable spaceforresidents
The refurbishment project included a complete overhaul of the room with beautifulnewwallpaper,theinstallationof walllights,fittedunits,andastylishnew bar The changes also included improvementsinthewayfoodisserved. The refurbished dining experience have definitely had a positive impact on residents,whonowenjoytheirmealsina morecomfortableandelegantsetting
OurHeadCook LouiseGardner withsomeofthe newunits
Head Housekeeper Nicola Pick and our CEO Steve Adams in thenewdiningroom
UpcomingChristmasEvents
We’reexcitedtoshareourplansforChristmas2024–wereallyhopeyou’llbeabletojoinusat theseupcomingevents
ChristmasattheCorbridgeHub
We’dbeverygratefulfordonationstoourresident’stombolaon8thDecember–theycanbeleftin theCharlotteStrakersummerhouseordroppedintotheoffice.Thankyouverymuchinadvance. Also,wewillbeholdingacakestallattheChristmaseventattheCorbridgeHubIfyou’reakeen bakerwe’dloveyourhomemadecakesandbakes AnybakingfortheeventcanbeleftonFriday 29thNovemberorSaturday30NovemberattheCorbridgeHub.Thankyou!
DonatetokeepourCommunityRespiteBedopen
OurCommunityRespiteBedisaUNIQUEservicein Northumberland,andprovidesfreeofchargerespite breakstothoseover65yearsofagewhoneed support
Thereisashortageofaffordablegoodqualityrespite careinourareaOurrespitecareserviceisessential toprovideareprievetohardpressedcarerswhocan gainsomepeaceofmindknowingthattheirloved ones are being looked after in our high-quality experiencednursingandresidentialfacility
Ourrespitecarebedisfreeofchargetotherespite resident,receivesnolocalauthoritysupport,costs over£65,000eachyearandisfundedentirelythrough donationsandgrantfunding
Wewouldbeverygratefulforanydonations, largeorsmall.Todonatepleasevisit wwwcharlottestrakerorguk/donate
