Now that we are completely Covid free we are pleased to annouce that our Respite Care Service is reopening for free of charge short term respite care breaks. Our respite room has undergone a deep clean and has been completely redecorated, with luxurious furnishings, flooring, curtains and a welcoming new colour scheme. The room is ensuite, with a modern bathroom with the latest accessible equipment. All respite guests will experience dedicated nursing, delicious meals and enjoyable personalised activities. For information on how to eligibility and the booking process please click here https://charlottestraker.org.uk/respite-care/
The pandemic has been extremely challenging for many carers, with respite facilities closed to new applicants during lockdown, so we are determined to open this facility to ensure we continue to support our local community. We’ve had many enquiries over the last few weeks from exhausted people who have been working so hard to keep their loved ones safe through the Covid crisis. Opening our respite care service will ensure hard-pressed local carers can receive some reprieve, knowing that their family members are being looked after in a safe and high quality environment.
Fundraising has been difficult over the past few months, with the Respite Care Service being particularly hard hit. The charity now desperately needs to raise £30,000 to keep this core service running until the end of March 2022.
We are determined to keep the bed open, as before the pandemic it was a clear lifeline to the community and a much needed service in the area. We made a promise to our supporters that it would remain a fundamental part of the services offered at Charlotte Straker House and therefore all our fundraising efforts need to be directed to this appeal.
As we pass the first anniversary of lockdown, we ask our community to consider making a regular or one off gift to the Charlotte Straker Respite Care Service, ensuring we can care for local families and plan for the future as we navigate through the coming weeks and months. Now more than ever, we need your support.
To donate to the Charlotte Straker Respite Care Service please visit https://charlottestraker.org.uk/donate/community-respite-care-bed-appeal/
At a time where many of our volunteers are unable to be with us through circumstances beyond anyone’s control, we are delighted to note that the volunteer role has been very much alive at Charlotte Straker, through the endeavours of our very own Debbie Thick. We know that Debbie represents the many volunteers who would wish to be with us and she has certainly flown the flag for volunteers across the last few months.
Debbie has supported our service and our residents across a number of areas; as part of our kitchen and domestic reserve team and as a friendly and chatty face to bolster and give the team a lift. Debbie has also proven to be an amazing comfort and support to our residents, providing a friendly face and a kind word and time to listen and just to be there.
We are so very grateful to Debbie for her unfailing support through the last weeks…a true angel for the Charlotte Straker Project.
At Charlotte Straker, there is no end to the flexible talents of staff, who have been working longer hours during the recent Covid crisis. One of our heroes is Lynsey Forster, an experienced Senior Care Assistant at Charlotte Straker House. Lynsey has been such an important part of support to Charlotte Straker through the past few difficult weeks, working tirelessly and without days off in support of each and every one of our residents and the staff team. Clinical Lead Nurse Deborah O’ Neill commented that, “Lynsey has been a huge support to me through the most difficult times, where many of our exceptional staff were unable to be with us. I often had to say, ‘Lynsey I need your help, I’m making you second in command’ and Lynsey rose to the occasion every time”. The photo shows Lynsey, helping to prepare and serve meals to our residents during the recent Covid crisis.
Even though we are clear of Covid at Charlotte Straker, it is still so very important that we continue to socially distance and that we do everything that we can to keep the house safe.
At the same time, our Registered Manager, Pam Crawley is keen to see life return to some kind of normality for the people who live at Charlotte Straker.
In order to make sure that life at Charlotte reflects our residents wishes, Pam is commencing a series of Resident “one to one” Meetings, in order to make sure that what we provide at Charlotte House is exactly what our residents wish it to be.
Now that we are clear of any Covid infections, we’re determined to look forward to a positive future at Charlotte Straker House. We’re poised to start a rolling programme of refurbishment of many of our rooms and living areas. The first area to benefit is our hallway. We wanted it to look warm, welcoming and clutter free, so that it makes a great impression on visitors and our residents, but still show the heritage and history of our organisation. We definitely think it’s achieved this brief!
Jodie was a great support to Charlotte Straker in recent weeks, as both care assistant and in providing holistic therapies, at a time where this was of such benefit. Jodie provided holistic therapies in support of the well- being of our residents and staff. She also took the time to provide free of charge hand, foot and back massages to help our residents relax, and to ease sore joints and muscles. In such difficult times, we are amazingly thankful to Jodie, who has worked both in the role of Care Assistant and also in the role
of Massage Therapist, proving a range of therapies to our residents and our staff through these difficult times.
Some of the quotes from our residents who have enjoyed Jodie’s massages.
“My feet are much warmer now, warm and tingly feeling. I would have my feet done again next time.”
“This was an unexpected pleasure. It was very calming and soothing. Time just flew past and the relief is great. Thank you.”
“Very relaxing and therapeutic and with good company. It was gorgeous and I could have just gone to sleep.”
Charlotte Straker have been able to access vaccinations for residents and for some staff members, as a part of the National roll out of the vaccination programme across all care homes, in the on-going fight against COVID -19. Whilst experiencing an outbreak of the virus itself, the Management team have worked hard to link with local vaccination programmes to make sure that residents could receive their vaccination in line with latest government guidance. This has been both re-assuring and welcomed across all residents and their families within the service.
The photo shows our Head Chef Debbie proudly showing her vaccination card.
Over the past month Charlotte Straker staff have been supported by our great community in a number of different ways. We would just like to make a special mention of Il Piccolo restaurant in Corbridge, who have provided some gorgeous meals which have helped keep up our staff energy levels managing the fight against Covid – thank you – we were delighted and amazed at this generosity!
Charlotte Straker, Cookson Close
Corbridge, NE45 5HB
01434 633999
office@charlottestraker.org.uk
