Well done to our amazing kitchen team! They aced an inspection by the Food Standards Agency and Charlotte Straker has been given a 5 star food hygiene rating. Steve Adams, our CEO, is shown with the new award. He says “Well done to everyone in our catering team! It’s excellent to have their hard work and commitment confirmed by the Agency. We’ll be displaying the new sign with pride”
We’re excited to share some big news! We’ve refreshed our brand and values to better reflect our commitment to providing exceptional care to all our residential, nursing and respite residents.
Our logo is an updated version of the lovely pear tree in our grounds, and our new strapline, “Your Family, Your Community, Our Home”, places each resident’s wishes, needs and priorities firmly at the centre of our organisation, highlights our connection and relates to the unique “family” atmosphere at Charlotte Straker House.
Our Values have been arranged under the memorable acronym “Family”. “Family” means that whether you’re a staff member, volunteer, resident, relative or visitor, we believe you are part of our Charlotte Straker family, and this family is at the heart of everything we do. Our values are:
- Focus on You: We prioritize the individual needs and preferences of each resident.
- Achieving Excellence: We strive for the highest standards of care and continuously seek improvement.
- Make Every Day Better: We’re committed to creating positive and meaningful experiences for our residents.
- Integrity: We act with honesty, transparency, and compassion.
- Linking to the Wider Community: We foster strong relationships with our local community.
- Your Home, Your Choice: We empower our residents to make choices and live life on their own terms.
We’re excited to embark on this new chapter and continue providing the best possible care to our residents.
Adrienne, one of our Activities Coordinators, has organised a variety of different quiz afternoons for our residents, covering our 5 senses – touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. She brought in lots of little bottles containing different items from raspberry to onion. We all had a try at guessing each food sample. Nancy said, “I can’t definitely remember this smell, but I can’t place it” when she was passed the rosemary sample. Margaret was spot on with coffee sample, but we all struggled with some of them including lavender, rosemary, and almond essence. It was a great afternoon with staff popping in and out and having a go themselves – and brilliant as a brain and memory exercise!
Thank you so much to the organisers of the Tynedale Gift Fair who invited our residents to come along and do some Christmas shopping during a special “quiet” opening. We all had fun browsing the stalls and managed to pick up some great Christmas gifts. The little feather Christmas trees, scarves, jewellery and kitchen accessories were a huge hit! We absolutely recommend a visit – don’t forget the Fair is open today from 9.30 to 3.00 pm at the Hexham Mart – pop along and do some early Christmas shopping.
Activities Coordinators Jayne and Adrienne organised a great exercise session last week, with a favourite sport – seated basketball. Using an oversized inflatable football and goal, our ladies had great fun scoring hoops! It’s amazing how much fun can be had with a giant ball and a bit of friendly competition. Nancy, Margaret, Christine and Sarah told us they “really enjoyed it” and they thought it was “great exercise for arms”. We think the smiles on their faces says it all!
Baldy Holly is a favourite singer of ours and he never fails to host a great musical afternoon at Charlotte Straker House. Singing his signature medley of hits from the 1950s onwards, he inspired our residents to sing along, clap to the music and even get up and dance! Volunteer Avril was up and dancing with the lovely Nancy and Muriel. Nancy said she “loved the music, and I haven’t danced in years!” We love it when our residents are enjoying the music so much that they join in. Thanks to Baldy and we can’t wait to see him again.
There was a sparkling atmosphere at Corbridge Cricket Club this weekend at the 2024 Community Apple Pressing…with an amazing 2200 litres of apple juice produced!
Thanks to all the amazing volunteers who picked apples, dropped them off at the Cricket Club and turned up on Saturday and Sunday to wash, sort and press them into juice.
One volunteer said “it made our weekend. We met new people and made new friends. The whole experience was fab!”
The juice was transported to Newcastle University’s microbrewery Stu Brew to be made into cans of delicious Corbridge Sparkling Apple Juice and Corbridge Cider to be sold in aid of ourselves, the Corbridge Youth Initiative, and the Corbridge Community Partnership. Once ready, we’ll give you details of where and how to buy – watch this space!
The Corbridge Charity Fashion Show was a night filled with fabulous fashion, beautiful shoes and stunning accessories.
The event raised just under £4,000 – an amazing amount which will be split between the Charlotte Straker Community Respite Care Bed and the Corbridge Youth Initiative
Berenice Groves, Chair of the Trustees said “It was an amazing evening, and feedback has been incredibly positive. A BIG thank you to everyone who bought tickets plus all the shops, models, the compere, and organisers/volunteers who made this event possible. We’re also very grateful to the local businesses who contributed raffle prizes– the raffle was a huge hit and helped us enormously by raised funds for our much-needed respite bed, and the Corbridge Youth Initiative”.
Our resident Douglas Kerr celebrated his 102nd birthday recently!
Born in Clapham in 1922 his family moved up to Whitley Bay and when war broke out, he enlisted in the British Army. After a stint in training Doug eventually travelled and spent two years in North Africa and Palestine as part of an Ammunitions Inspection team.
He shared tales of his wartime experiences, including a narrow escape from German Junkers planes during an ammunition run. Doug recounted jumping into the sea as the “Stuka” planes swooped in, hearing the terrifying siren as the planes dive bombed and having to swim to a nearby island for rescue.
He also described the challenges of dealing with German Teller landmines, “the German soldiers were very crafty, and stacked these flat mines on top of each other. When you found them and tried to defuse the top bomb, it triggered all the others and made a huge explosion.”
After his military service, Doug returned to Whitley Bay and worked in ACAS as a civil servant. He and his wife, Joan, raised four children and even after Joan passed away, Doug remained independent in his Whitley Bay home for 13 years.
Doug’s secret to longevity? “Wine gums!” he chuckles. “They keep me going.”
Last year, Doug moved to Charlotte Straker House, where he’s become a beloved member of our community. Our Deputy Manager, Sam Willis said “he’s such a superstar, and we all love him to bits”
As Doug celebrates another year, we’re grateful for his stories, and his continued presence in Charlotte Straker House. Happy birthday, Doug!
Our talented residents have been busy crafting adorable autumn-themed table decorations! They chose from vibrant leaves, cozy pinecones, and colourful berries to make gorgeous little candle holders, which are designed to brighten up a table or windowsill. Christine, Margaret, and Joan enjoyed a relaxing afternoon making their own designs and catching up on all the news over afternoon tea and coffee.
The Charlotte Straker Project
Charlotte Straker, Cookson Close
Corbridge, NE45 5HB
01434 633999
office@charlottestraker.org.uk
