Our Parkinson’s exercise class is going from strength to strength. Led by Karen Dover (our very own “Mrs Dovernator”) the class includes gentle exercises and fun games to help strengthen muscles and improve coordination. Thanks to a grant from Parkinson’s UK, we have our own exercise equipment including hand weights, resistance bands and oversized footballs. Non-residents are welcome to join us (cost per class is £7 per head) and can book the next class (date to be confirmed) by calling 01434 633 999.
Our latest testimonial: from Sophie, niece of recent respite resident Margaret D.
“My aunt needed emergency respite accommodation last year after a fractured water pipe caused a flood which brought a ceiling down. Charlotte Straker came to the rescue and my aunt stayed with them for five months.
I want to thank everyone there for their care and kindness, not just to my aunt, but also to me. When I first made enquiries all the office staff were so helpful, kind and patient with me. It was such a stressful time for me and this kindness meant a lot. I met Pam and Sam then, who were also so reassuring and kind. Sam visited my aunt at the neighbour’s house where my aunt was staying and really put my aunt at her ease.
When my aunt moved to Charlotte Straker she was taken through an assessment by Mary the nurse, who again was so patient and helpful with both my aunt and me. Throughout my aunt’s time there, every time I visited I was met with smiles and friendly greetings from all the staff, inside and outside the building. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble. I met Christian several times, also Ian and Mary again, I know my aunt became very fond of them and I can see why.
I am so grateful to everyone at Charlotte Straker – what a wonderful organisation you are, we are lucky to have you.”
On a sunny day in February, we visited the Azure garden centre in Cramlington to a look at the Spring season’s plants and vegetables and browse their gardening gifts and outdoor furniture. John said, “there’s a very good choice of bulbs, and all the different types of daffodils”. Muriel said, “I can’t wait to sit in our garden in the warmer weather.” Eileen and Nancy told us that they really enjoyed lunch in the café and had a great day out. Thank you to our volunteers and staff for accompanying our residents on this trip – it helped remind us that Spring is only just round the corner!
| Singers Kevin and Andrew visited us recently for an afternoon of singing and dancing – and everyone had great fun joining in. Residents Arthur, Margaret, Muriel, John, Peggy and Birgit had fun clapping along to the music which ranged from the 60s to recent times. It was a great exercise session, especially when we started waving our hands in their air! Thank you to Kevin and Andrew for such a fun afternoon – we can’t wait to see you again. |
We celebrated Chinese New Year this week and the beginning of the Year of the Dragon with a delicious lunch, a special dance by our Dragon (led by talented care assistant Saka and the nurses Jackie K and Ian D!) and traditional Chinese music. Peter said, “that was really fun to watch”, and Muriel added “who is that under the dragon? I love the dancing!”
Everyone was clapping and laughing as the Dragon danced in and out of the tables to Chinese music. The dining room was decorated in the “lucky” New Year colours of red and gold and the kitchen team served a very yummy Chinese banquet.
Margaret said, “I’ve always loved a Chinese food and this was lovely.” Thank you to our staff for being such a brilliant dragon and the kitchen team for their tasty new year menu.
As you know our residents are very keen dominoes players and meet regularly to hold afternoon matches, which can be extremely competitive!
Arthur, Nancy, Margaret S and Margaret G recently played some games with Jayne our Activities Coordinator plus volunteer Avril and Sally our Marketing and Fundraising Manager, (who admitted she’d never played dominoes properly).
Our residents had great fun teaching her finer points of playing competitively, with Margaret G explaining “you need to use the highest dominoes first” and Margaret S adding “we used to play dominoes when my children were small. I’ve always loved a good game”. Arthur and Margaret G won the most matches, and everyone is already looking forward to next week’s game.
Since 2019 The Benefact Trust have donated over £5.75 million to more than 2,500 charities through their Movement for Good Awards.
We are now in line to win £1000 – but we need you to nominate us as your charity!
The more nominations a charity receives, the higher its chance of selection.
Anyone can nominate us as their charity and it is really easy to do – please click below
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for an traditional night of fun, laughter, and dancing at our Charity Burns Night and Ceilidh on Saturday night. We raised over £1000 to be split between ourselves and the Chrysalis Club and we couldn’t be more grateful for everyone’s support!
Piper Chris Urwin led in the Haggis and we had the traditional Robbie Burns address, plus a delicious pie and peas supper made by Helen Coombes, (Head Chef of Charlotte Straker House) and her excellent volunteer team.
Tables were then cleared away to make way for dancing with music from our old friends The Northern Lights Ceilidh Band, whilst volunteers manned the bar, the bottle tombola and organised a whisky shuffle.
Thank you to all the volunteers, plus of course everyone who attended, donated and danced to make it such a atmospheric and energetic evening!
Last week, our residents enjoyed a Burns Day lunch with the traditional “haggis, neeps and tatties” meal with a magnificent Scottish bagpipe accompaniment from the very talented Chris Urwin. Our Home Manager (and true Scot) Cheryl Kennedy gave a rendition of the Robbie Burn’s poem, “The Address to the Haggis” whilst Colin dramatically stabbed the haggis at the appropriate stanza. All our residents clapped along to and wonderful bagpipe reels. Thank you to Piper Chris Urwin for his visit, and of course to the kitchen team who made the delicious lunch with all the proper accompaniments.
The Charlotte Straker Project
Charlotte Straker, Cookson Close
Corbridge, NE45 5HB
01434 633999
office@charlottestraker.org.uk
