You are here: / / / September

Support from The National Lottery Community Fund

£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.

A Wonderful Day at Our Annual Fete

A Wonderful Day at Our Annual Fete – Rain, Laughter and Community Spirit!

Despite the rain, our Annual Fete on Saturday 20th September was a huge success — and the weather certainly didn’t dampen any spirits! We were absolutely thrilled by the turnout, as residents, families, supporters, and friends came together to enjoy a joyful afternoon filled with laughter, connection, and community fun. Guests enjoyed a true fete atmosphere, complete with:

  • Afternoon tea served with delicious cakes and scones

  • A packed tombola stall with prizes galore

  • Classic garden games, including our crowd-favourite Human Fruit Machine

  • A stall full of freshly baked goods

  • And even ice creams with Flakes – a summer staple, no matter the weather!

Shelters kept everyone dry as the rain came down, but the smiles never faded. Live music from Charlie’s Choir brought a fantastic soundtrack to the afternoon, creating a lovely buzz throughout the day. We were delighted to welcome Gayle Forster to officially open the fete. Gayle, who runs Vintage at the Tower in Corbridge, was recently linked to the film Mission: Impossible, named a High Street Hero in the National Small Awards, and leads Visit Corbridge. Her support of the local community and of Charlotte Straker House, is truly appreciated.

Pictured: Berenice Groves (Chair of Trustees) and Gayle Forster (Vintage at the Tower). 

Why the Fete Matters

Our Chair of Trustees, Berenice Groves, addressed visitors to share the important reason behind the event: fundraising to support our vital services.

As a non-profit charitable care home, we must raise over £250,000 each year to bridge the gap between our operating costs and the funding we receive. This includes:

  • £65,000 needed annually to run our vital Community Respite Bed

  • An additional £99,000 shortfall between the cost of care and local authority funding

  • Rising costs from National Insurance and minimum wage increases

Every donation and every penny raised helps us continue offering compassionate, high-quality care to residents and respite visitors, and supports our mission to serve the wider Tynedale community.

Our Thanks

We are incredibly proud to share that the event raised £2016.42, and every contribution will make a real difference.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special — whether you donated items, volunteered your time, ran a stall, or simply came along in support. Special thanks go to Tesco Hexham for donating a brilliant sweet stall, Charlie’s Choir for their live performance and to all the local businesses and individuals who baked, volunteered or provided prizes for our raffle and tombola.

Your generosity and community spirit mean the world to us.

Resident Celebrates with Royal Recognition

Charlotte Straker Resident Celebrates 60 Years of Marriage with Family and Royal Recognition

A resident of Charlotte Straker House in Corbridge has celebrated his Diamond Wedding Anniversary, marking 60 years of marriage with family, friends — and a card from The King.

John, a much-loved resident at Charlotte Straker House, recently marked 60 years of marriage to his wife, Steph, with a special celebration with their children, Ben and Lucy.

As part of the celebrations, the couple received a special congratulatory card from His Majesty King Charles III, acknowledging the incredible milestone and decades of love and partnership.

To mark the occasion, the family gathered for a celebratory lunch in Newcastle, made even more special by the arrival of their son Ben and his wife Rie, who travelled all the way from Japan to be there.

John and Steph were first married at the Newcastle Registry Office, followed the very next day by a service at St Thomas’ Church. “We didn’t have the budget for a church wedding at the time,” Steph shared, “so we split it across two days which means we get to celebrate our anniversary twice every year!”

Charlotte Straker House marked the day with congratulations and a home-made cake, honouring John and Steph’s long and inspiring partnership.

“It was such a joy to celebrate this milestone with John and his family,” said Sam Willis, Home Manager at Charlotte Straker House. “Diamond anniversaries are incredibly special, and we were delighted to play a small part in helping John and Steph mark the day.”

The Charlotte Straker Project, a registered charity based in Corbridge, provides high-quality care and support for older people, with a focus on community. The Diamond Wedding celebration was another example of the meaningful moments that make the home so special.