Farewell to Long-Serving Nurse
Charlotte Straker House Bids Farewell to Long-Serving Nurse
After an extraordinary 34 years of compassionate care and unwavering dedication Jackie Kellett, nurse and former Deputy Home Manager at Charlotte Straker House, is retiring. For more than three decades Jackie has been a constant reassuring residents, families and colleagues alike. Her career has spanned many changes in care, developments in nursing practice and the evolution of services at Charlotte Straker Jackie has been a vital member of the project since the early days contributing to the home’s remarkable journey within Tynedale community.
Following the closure of NHS services in 1989, local residents led efforts to save the Charlotte Straker building, which reopened in 1992 as a residential care home for the elderly. Over the years, the home has adapted to changing circumstances, including the NHS ending GP beds and palliative care in 2016, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the reopening of a community respite care bed in 2024. Throughout it all, Jackie’s dedication, leadership, and compassion have remained a constant.
During her time, Jackie took on the role of Deputy Home Manager and has been instrumental in maintaining the home’s high standards, supporting both residents and colleagues alike. While her official retirement is a huge milestone, Jackie will continue to support the home as part of the bank staff, ensuring she will remain a familiar face.
Berenice Groves, Chair of Trustees at the Charlotte Straker Project, said “ Jackie Kellett has been an invaluable part of our team for over three decades and a real character. We are extremely grateful for everything she has contributed and are delighted that she will continue to be part of our family in her bank role, while also enjoying her well-deserved retirement focusing on her own adventures and family.”
Charlotte Straker House continues to uphold its mission of exceptional care by supporting local authority residents with care costs, offering a free community respite bed, fundraising for engaging activities and outings, and maintaining modern, welcoming facilities that truly make the house feel like a home.
Pictured: L-R Trustee Bill Cunningham, Chair Berenice Groves, CEO Steve Adams, Nurse Jackie Kellett, Vice Chair Gavin Black and Home Manager Sam Willis
