Singer Kevin visited us recently for an afternoon of singing and dancing – and everyone had great fun joining in. Residents had fun clapping along to the music which ranged from the 60s to recent times. One of our favourites was Sweet Caroline and everyone was waving their hands and arms in the air to the chorus and singing along! Thank you to Kevin for such a fun afternoon – we can’t wait to see you again.
We are so grateful that the weather has finally become warmer, and our residents are taking every opportunity to sit out and enjoy the sunshine. Last week they enjoyed coffee outside after their twice weekly exercise class, and then a few days later, they took part in an al fresco tapas and sangria tasting afternoon.
Our Activities Coordinator arranged a selection of delicious snacks alongside refreshing jugs of sangria. It was such a change to sit outside in the sun, enjoying lots of different meats, olives and dips – it was almost like being abroad!
(We hope you can spot all our brand new table cloths, crockery and décor – these items were bought with the proceeds of our Halloween sponsored walk from last year!)
Baldy Holly (who has the best stage name ever!) came to visit us last week for an afternoon of musical hits from the 1950s onwards. He is always very popular singer at CS House. Lots of our residents come to enjoy the music, clap and sing along, and sometimes get up for a dance! Margaret said “I love his pink jacket. He always wears such bright clothes when he comes to see us.” Birgit added “I like the old songs as I can remember them.” Thank you Baldy for yet another great afternoon – come back and see us soon.
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the Corbridge Open Gardens Afternoon, on Sunday 23rd June from 1 to 5 pm
All proceeds will go towards two local charities: Charlotte Straker House; and the Corbridge Community Partnership.
All proceeds will go towards two local charities: Charlotte Straker House; and the Corbridge Community Partnership.
Explore many beautiful and interesting gardens in the historic village of Corbridge, whilst helping us raise vital funds for our two local charities. Explore our route, soak up the sunshine, uncover hidden gems and be inspired by local green fingered villagers! Then pop back to the Corbridge Community Hub to refresh yourself with tea, coffee and cake.
Tickets are now on sale!
Tickets can be bought on the day or in advance by clicking on this link www.tinyurl.com/corbridgegarden
Adults are only £5 and under 18s are free.
Tickets can be bought on the day or in advance by clicking on this link www.tinyurl.com/corbridgegarden
Adults are only £5 and under 18s are free.
Begin your visit at the Corbridge Community Hub situated in the former Methodist Church on Princes Street to buy tickets/show us your Eventbrite tickets and pick up your map. The map will show exactly where each Open Garden is situated, along with a suggested route. Please be respectful of the gardens and keep all dogs on a lead. Home-made refreshments will be on sale in the Community Hub.
Mark your calendars for Saturday 15th June because Charlotte Straker’s annual Summer Fete is back and bigger than ever!
• SPECIAL VIP GUEST: Brenda Blethyn, star of the hit TV crime series Vera, will be gracing us with her presence to officially open the festivities! We’re thrilled to welcome the renowned actress to our fete – don’t miss this chance to see the star of Vera and support a fantastic cause.
• Fun for all ages! From bouncy castles, bran tub, slap the rat, hook a duck, second hand toy stall to a huge tombola, raffle (top prizes – signed Vera memorabilia / a voucher for your choice of Barbour coat!), cake stall, plant stall and crafty items – there’s something for everyone to keep entertained.
• Delicious Delights: Tantalize your taste buds in our tea tent with hot and cold drinks plus home-made cakes and bakes, and enjoy a delicious Mr Whippy and icy refreshments from Tony’s Ices from Ponteland.
• Live Music and Entertainment: Tap your toes to our jazz pianist and sing along to live music
• Prepare to support other local charitable stalls including those from Chrysalis, Riding for the Disabled and the Corbridge Youth Initiative.
• All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the reopened Community Respite Bed at Charlotte Straker House, which offers free of charge respite care to those over 65 years of age.
• Fun for all ages! From bouncy castles, bran tub, slap the rat, hook a duck, second hand toy stall to a huge tombola, raffle (top prizes – signed Vera memorabilia / a voucher for your choice of Barbour coat!), cake stall, plant stall and crafty items – there’s something for everyone to keep entertained.
• Delicious Delights: Tantalize your taste buds in our tea tent with hot and cold drinks plus home-made cakes and bakes, and enjoy a delicious Mr Whippy and icy refreshments from Tony’s Ices from Ponteland.
• Live Music and Entertainment: Tap your toes to our jazz pianist and sing along to live music
• Prepare to support other local charitable stalls including those from Chrysalis, Riding for the Disabled and the Corbridge Youth Initiative.
• All proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the reopened Community Respite Bed at Charlotte Straker House, which offers free of charge respite care to those over 65 years of age.
FREE ENTRY! Don’t miss this chance for a fun-filled day with the whole family, all while supporting a wonderful cause! We can’t wait to see you there!
We’re thrilled to share that Dr Sally Parkin, a partner at the Corbridge GP surgery, joined us to officially reopen our community respite bed! Senior Care Assistants, Lyndsey Forster and Amy Newell held the ribbon whilst Dr Parkin opened the bed and our residents, trustees and staff celebrated afterwards by enjoying some delicious afternoon treats.
Dr Parkin said “I’m delighted to have been asked to officially reopen this bed. As a local GP, I see many tired and burnt-out family caregivers as well as vulnerable elderly patients who need some extra support. The newly opened bed means that GP surgeries will be able to identify patients and family who might benefit from excellent care at Charlotte Straker House. Affordable respite care is essential, and I’m delighted that our team can signpost patients to this service. It’s not exaggeration to say that this community bed will be a lifeline to many in our local community.”
Berenice Groves, Chair of the Trustees added “Thank you so much to Dr Parkin for officially cutting the ribbon! We know our GPs are focussed on the well-being of their local community, and their support is essential in encouraging patients and their families to take advantage of our respite service. We also know that more than half of unpaid carers in Northumberland are providing over 60 hours of care a week and have not had a break in the last twelve months. We’ve already been inundated with enquiries about respite care so we’re incredibly grateful for Dr. Parkin’s support and to everyone who helped make reopening this respite bed possible.”
Our community respite bed offers short term free of charge respite care to those over 65 years of age from Northumberland. For more information and to book please call 01434 633 999 or visit https://charlottestraker.org.uk/respitebed/
Our free of charge bed offers short term free of charge respite to the elde rly in our community and was shut in 2023 due to the rise in costs after Covid. We have managed to reopen the service due to a generous legacy donation.
The community bed costs our charity over £60,000 each year and is entirely funded by donations and grants and we receive no local authority support. Please help by donating – https://charlottestraker.org.uk/donate/
The Charlotte Straker Project
Charlotte Straker, Cookson Close
Corbridge, NE45 5HB
01434 633999
office@charlottestraker.org.uk
