Festive Fundraising Concert Raises £1,200 for Charlotte Straker House

A festive fundraising concert held in Corbridge has raised an impressive £1,200 in support of The Charlotte Straker Project, thanks to the generosity and talent of local performers and the community.

The event, A Festive Soirée, was hosted by the women of Wildflowers A Cappella and took place on Saturday 13th December at Corbridge Parish Hall. The sell-out evening featured a programme of festive carols and well-loved songs, creating a warm start to the Christmas season.

Guests were also treated to a special performance by Eddie Nickson of Tanners Yard Band, who stepped in on the night and helped make the event a success.

Tickets included festive nibbles and a welcome drink, and every penny raised will go towards supporting the charitable work of Charlotte Straker House, which provides specialist nursing, residential and respite care for adults aged over 65.

Steve Adams, Chief Executive of The Charlotte Straker Project, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Wildflowers A Cappella and Eddie Nickson for sharing their talents in aid of our charity, and to everyone who came along to support the evening. Events like this not only raise vital funds, but also bring our community together in support of the people we care for. The generosity shown at this concert will make a real difference to our home and the residents we support.”

The charity would like to extend thanks to Wildflowers A Cappella, Eddie Nickson, and everyone who attended and supported this special event. Community support such as this plays a vital role in enabling Charlotte Straker House to continue providing high-quality care.

Charlotte Straker House Marks a Special Weekend of Remembrance

This weekend, Charlotte Straker House were proud to bring our community together for two heartfelt services of remembrance on 6th and 7th December. Both events offered meaningful opportunities for residents, families, volunteers, and friends to honour loved ones and take comfort in shared reflection during the festive season.

On Saturday 6th December, we were welcomed by Tynedale Hospice at Home at St Andrew’s Church in Corbridge for their annual Light Up a Life service.
The service, filled with carols, readings, and moments of quiet remembrance, provided a thoughtful space for all attending to reflect and remember.

Pictured above: Berenice Groves, Chair of Trustees at The Charlotte Straker Project reading at the Tynedale Hospice Light up a Life service.

We would like to extend our thanks to Tynedale Hospice at Home for inviting us to be part of such a moving and supportive community event. Their service was enjoyed by all who attended from Charlotte Straker House.

On Sunday 7th December, we hosted our own Tree of Lights service here at Charlotte Straker House. As dusk settled, our gardens became softly illuminated, creating a peaceful and reflective atmosphere for everyone gathered.

The Tree of Lights has become one of our most cherished traditions. It brings together residents, families, volunteers, staff, and members of the wider community to celebrate memories, honour those no longer with us, and share a moment of unity at this special time of year.

Reflecting on the weekend, Berenice Groves, Chair of Trustees, shared “Our Tree of Lights service is one of the most treasured moments in our year. Seeing our community come together reminds us of the deep bonds that make Charlotte Straker House such a special place. It was a privilege to stand alongside everyone as we remembered loved ones with warmth and love.”

We are grateful to everyone who joined us across the weekend and helped make both services so meaningful. We would also like to once again thank Tynedale Hospice at Home for welcoming us into their Light Up a Life service, Reverend David Kennedy for delivering our service, and Lord and Lady Allendale at Allendale Estates for kindly donating the tree to our home.

Pictured above: L-R Berenice Groves (Chair of Trustees), Jackie Kellett (Nurse), Reverend David Kennedy, Gavin Black (Vice Chair of Trustees) and Karen Dover (Senior Carer). 

As we look ahead to the rest of the festive season, we remain committed to fostering a compassionate and supportive environment where memories are honoured, community is valued, and no one ever feels alone.

Charlotte Straker Project Receives £5,000 Grant from Ray Wind Fund

The Charlotte Straker Project is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant of £5000 from the Ray Wind Fund CIC Community Benefit Fund. The independent Ray Wind Fund CIC is responsible for managing the £250,000 a year Fund (index-linked) set up by European energy company Vattenfall, the operator of the wind farm. The Fund will be in place until at least 2043. 

Ray Wind Funds were established to give back to local communities and support initiatives that make a meaningful difference to people’s lives. We are incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a beneficiary, and this funding marks a significant contribution to the continued success of our respite service. 

This funding will support our free community respite bed, offering short-term support to individuals and families in need. We are proud to regularly welcome people from across West Northumberland, including many from rural communities who might otherwise struggle to access such care. Some of our long-term residents also come from these areas, highlighting the broad and ongoing impact of our work. 

The total cost to run this free service exceeds £60,000 annually, and we rely on charitable activities, donations, and grant funding to sustain it. This contribution from Ray Wind Funds will directly help us maintain and grow this essential support for the community. 

As part of the funding award, we were delighted to welcome Sarah Crone, Chair of the Ray Wind Fund, and Development Officer Jo Willis, who visited Charlotte Straker House to tour our home and meet some of the team. Their visit offered an opportunity to share first-hand how the respite service operates and to discuss the significant impact this grant will have on individuals and families across the region. We were pleased to show them the difference their support makes and the vital role it plays in helping local people access care close to home. 

Berenice Groves, Chair of Trustees at the Charlotte Straker Project, said: 

“We are extremely thankful to Ray Wind Funds for recognising the importance of our free community respite service. This generous grant helps us continue offering high-quality care to those who need it most, especially those in rural and isolated parts of our region. It’s a lifeline for many family carers, and this support helps ensure it remains available for all who need it.” 

We extend our sincere thanks to Ray Wind Funds for their support and belief in our mission. 

Pictured above: Steve Adams (CEO at Charlotte Straker), Berenice Groves (Chair of Trustees), Sarah Crone (Chair at Ray Wind Funds), Jo Willis (Development Officer). 

 

60% Uptake for Flu Jab at Charlotte Straker House

A creative, staff-led initiative has helped boost flu vaccination uptake to an impressive 60% across our workforce, which is well above the national average for the care sector.

To encourage staff to protect themselves and others this winter, we launched a flu jab raffle, giving everyone who received the vaccine the chance to win a luxury hamper. A total of 40 team members signed up, and the response exceeded all expectations. While the raffle added a fun incentive, many of our staff were already motivated by a strong understanding of the importance of flu vaccination. It was not just about their own health, but also about protecting colleagues, residents, and families.

The winning ticket was drawn by our resident Margaret, with Care Assistant Lindsey taking home the prize.

Our 60% uptake is not just encouraging; it is significantly higher than the national average for flu vaccination among care workers. According to recent UK Government figures, uptake among frontline healthcare workers in England during the 2024 to 2025 season stood at just 37.8%.

This puts our team more than 20 percent ahead of the national benchmark, showing that creative approaches combined with a caring team ethos can drive real impact.

Home Manager Samantha Willis said “We’re absolutely thrilled with the uptake this year. Our staff really stepped up to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the people we care for. This raffle was a fun way to recognise that effort, and I’m so proud of everyone who took part.”

We are now continuing efforts to support and encourage the remaining 40% of staff to consider the vaccination this Winter. Whether through further education, support with access, or one-to-one conversations, we’re committed to building on this progress.

Congratulations again to Lindsey, and a huge thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves to protect themselves and others this winter.

 

£20,000 Award from The National Lottery Community Fund to Support Community Respite Care

The Charlotte Straker Project is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to support its vital community respite bed, which provides essential short-term care for those in need across Tynedale.

This funding will help cover the costs of delivering high-quality, free respite care for individuals who need temporary support – whether recovering from illness, giving carers a much-needed break, or helping to prevent hospital admissions.

“We’re incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and to all the National Lottery players whose contributions make this support possible,” said Steve Adams, CEO of The Charlotte Straker Project. “Our community respite bed plays a critical role in supporting families and individuals at difficult moments. This funding will ensure we can continue to offer safe, short-term care to those who need it most.”

Over the past year alone, the Charlotte Straker Project has provided more than 5,000 hours of free care to individuals and families in need, a clear reflection of the charity’s deep commitment to the local community.

Importantly, this is the only free respite bed available across Tynedale, and even access to paid respite beds is extremely limited, making this service uniquely valuable for carers and families facing crisis or ongoing pressures.

The impact of this support is clearly seen in the experience of Mike Fyfe, one of the charity’s recent respite residents. Originally from Glasgow, Mike is living with early-stage dementia and is still very active. He’s a former rugby referee with Corbridge Rugby Club, and enjoyed being in familiar surroundings — even discovering that he had once gone to school with the husband of a current resident living in the Charlotte Straker bungalows.

Pictured above: Mike Fyfe and Wife, Margaret. 

Mike spoke highly of the care he received, describing his stay as both reassuring and enjoyable. From the friendly staff and homely atmosphere to the well-cooked meals and structured daily routine, the experience offered not just rest, but a genuine sense of security.

“The only complaint I have is there’s too much food. Three meals a day and then the tea trolley comes round!” he joked.

His wife, Margot, was also able to take a short break during his stay, travelling to visit family in Bathgate with peace of mind, knowing Mike was well cared for.

“This is as much a break for Margot as it is for me,” Mike said. “It’s a real weight off her mind.”

Mike’s story is a powerful example of how respite care supports not just the individual, but the entire family unit. Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, Charlotte Straker House can continue to offer this essential, free service to local people — helping them rest, recover, and remain connected to their community.

This award is part of The National Lottery’s ongoing commitment to supporting community-focused projects that make a lasting difference to people’s lives.