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St Catherine's celebrates Dignity Action Day
Dignity Action Day is a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of Dignity in Care, and gives an opportunity to ensure people in care are treated as individuals who are given choice, control and a sense of purpose.
At St Catherine's we are proud of the care we deliver to our residents, with dignity and respect remaining at the forefront of this; and wanted to celebrate the day while raising awareness of the importance of the continued respect for individuals living in care.
Residents, family and members of staff at St Catherine's have created a Dignity Tree which is stood at our reception; providing an opportunity for everyone to focus on the meaning of dignity. Individuals were invited to think about what dignity meant to them, and then were asked to write a personal quote which was placed on the tree. Moreover, this lovely token acts as a reminder to visitors about dignity and respect, and will be left at the reception as a reminder for the next year.
Additional celebrations extended to musical entertainment planned for the afternoon; with guests invited to sing along with Carol Lee, again reminding everyone of the purpose of Dignity Action Day by providing opportunities for residents to keep mentally stimulated and entertained.
Family day at St Catherine's
Last Saturday residents at St Catherine’s Nursing and Residential Care Home held a family fun day in order to allow families to spend some additional time together socialising over entertainment.
Staff at St Catherine’s planned an action packed day, and specially invited residents’ families to stay for a buffet lunch with their loved ones. Balloon sculptures, comedy acts and a good old fashioned sing-along with musician Allan Cutler ensured that the day was a fantastic success, with residents and families alike having enjoyed a great day.
The event also gave a chance for £40 to be raised through a raffle of items such as knitted teddy bears made by residents in the knitting club; which will go towards future events and outings for residents.
We currently have a limited number of residential vacancies
Situated on the West Road in Newcastle upon Tyne, St Catherine’s is the only purpose-built Catholic nursing and residential home in our diocese. We cater for older men and women who are no longer able to live in their own homes and provide permanent provision for those with residential, nursing or EMI (elderly mentally infirm) needs.
On occasions we can also offer respite care to those who require temporary support; perhaps to recover from an illness, recuperation from hospital or when carers are away.
Set around a landscaped courtyard, with a beautifully tended private and enclosed garden, St Catherine’s offers the perfect blend of tranquillity and peace, whilst delivering the highest standard of comfort and care at all times.
The spiritual needs of our residents at St Catherine’s are paramount; priests from across our diocese visit daily to celebrate Holy Mass and St Catherine’s chapel remains open at all times for quiet contemplation and prayer.
If you would like to visit St Catherine’s to take a look around or to request a brochure or if you would prefer an informal chat, please ring June Spoors, Manager of St Catherine’s on 0191 2400, or email June at stcathsadmin@stcuthbertscare.org.uk and she will be delighted to help.
Carols by Candlelight
Our Carols by Candlelight service ushered in the festive with a joyous Christmas service attended by over 100 guests. Those attending included a number of very elderly residents from St Catherine's Residential Care Home, members of our assisted independent living projects based in Newcastle, and staff members of St Cuthberts Care.
The celebration was led by Fr Michael Whalen from Holy Name Church, Jesmond, and beautifully supported by girls from the Sacred Heart Catholic High School's choir, who sang traditional carols, and gave the Christmas Gospel readings.
A special performance of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer was given by Live and Learn, a special needs group from the Alan Shearer Activity Centre, who used a combination of singing and sign language to lead the congregation.
Finishing the service with a rousing chorus of the Twelve Days of Christmas, guests stayed to enjoy hot soup, mince pies, and refreshments.
Another landmark birthday in St Catherine's has prompted a visit by a journalist from Newcastle's Evening Chronicle.
Sister Margaret Grimsdale celebrated her 100th Birthday on July 4th, which means we now have three centenarians among our residents.
This is so unusual we were contacted by Chronicle journalist Ruth Lawson who asked if she could come and interview the ladies. As she said in her article - there must be something in the water at St Catherine's Care Home.
Sister Margaret, who entered the Society of Marie Reparatrice in her early 20s has lived and worked all over Europe, from Switzerland to Ireland. She told Ruth, " I'm happy God has been good to me because I've been a little devil in my time."
She celebrated her birthday with a meal and a couple of drinks at a restaurant with over 50 friends. Reaching her century isn't going to slow her down - she's looking forward to her annual trip to Lourdes in August.
The other ladies making the local news were Norah Gunning, who was 103 recently and 106 year old Isabella George.
Care Home Manager June Spoors says, " I don't know what the secret of Isabella's success is but hard work and a hard life hasn't stopped her. It's only in the past year that she has had major needs - up until then she was trotting around the place on her zimmer frame."
Congratulations to St Catherine's resident Norah Gunning on reaching 103 years of age.
Five generations of the Gunning family came together on her birthday on 9th June, including her great-great grand daughter.
Norah has only been with us for a year and we hope to see many more family reunions for her in the future. She is still a little way behind our oldest resident however, who is 106 this year, but a little ahead of our Sister Grimsdale who celebrates her century in July.
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