Our residents threw themselves into the festive spirit recently with a special wreath-making workshop led by the talented Linda Adams. With the help of our staff and volunteers, Christine, Valerie, Margaret and Nancy created stunning wreaths using natural ingredients including fresh greenery, pinecones, holly leaves and berries and Christmas decorations. The ladies made four beautiful designs and chose one to use as decoration for the Charlotte Straker front door. Thank you so much to Linda for popping along to lead the session and helping our residents to be so creative. The staff commented that it was lovely to smell the Christmassy aromas of pine and cinnamon across the whole of the downstairs floor!

Our residents had a fantastic time at the Hexham Queen’s Hall at The Dreamcoat Stars show. The concert was jam-packed with musical smash-hits and Christmas classics and definitely got all our residents into the festive mood! Four singers from the hit show Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat sang West End and Broadway classics, as well as Christmassy songs and carols. Our residents loved the sparkly sets, and all the twinkling Christmas lights and decorations. Thank you to our volunteers who got everyone singing and clapping (and dancing!). “I loved the music and sang along as much as I could,” said Margaret S, “We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.” Nancy told us, “It was a jolly good show!” It was lovely to see the songs bringing back lots of happy memories for everyone. Thanks to everyone who accompanied our residents, and of course to the Dreamcoat Stars!

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a special “Thank You” afternoon to honour all the incredible volunteers who help in so many ways at Charlotte Straker.
Berenice Groves, Chair of the Trustees thanked each volunteer, emphasising how they enrich all of the residents’ lives in Charlotte Straker home and the bungalows through giving their time, commitment and support. Berenice shared with our friends that when people volunteer, they often do it for selfless reasons. They do it out of love and compassion to help others and she highlighted that they are the wonderful people who volunteer to make a difference. She thanked them for giving their time and talents to help those who need assistance.
It was also an opportunity to thank some of our longest-standing Trustees, Angela Jones, Ann Wagstaff and Neil Braithwaite, who have recently retired from the Charlotte Straker Project Board.
Angela joined the Board in 2003 and served as Chair of the Fundraising Committee. During her 21 years of service, she successfully led numerous fundraising events, including Summer Fetes, Christmas Extravaganzas, and Fashion Shows, raising significant funds for our charity.
Ann has been a part of the Charlotte Straker family since its inception in 1992. Her background as a matron at Hexham General Hospital provided her with invaluable expertise and leadership skills, which she brought to her role as Chair of the Quality Committee.
Neil has been with us since 2011 as trustee and company secretary. Charlotte Straker benefitted enormously from Neil’s persistence with issues, cool logic, business acumen and his knowledge of the law.
“We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary contributions of them all,” said Berenice Groves, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Their dedication and passion have made a lasting impact on our organization and the lives of our residents. They have been instrumental in shaping our care home and ensuring the well-being of our residents. Their unwavering commitment and wise counsel have been invaluable. We wish them a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.”
Each volunteer received a hand made Christmas decoration (made by our residents), bouquet of flowers and a certificate and then enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and live music. They also enjoyed two amazing specially decorated “thank you” cakes (baked and iced by our talented Activities Coordinator Adrienne).