Our Work
About Us
Background
It all began back in 2002 with St Cuthberts Care listening to the requests of its current users, families and carers. Families with a disabled child wanted somewhere to go where the whole family would benefit, whilst also knowing that adapted facilities and equipment were on hand to assist with varying degrees of disability and impairment.
Repeated requests were made for specialist short break accommodation to allow carers and families a well earned rest from their 24/7 caring role in the knowledge that their loved ones were safe and happy and benefitting from the change in their daily environment.
People wanted a regional daily drop-in type facility, suitable for both children and adults with disabilities that carers and families could enjoy too. It became increasingly clear to us that above all, people were requesting a right to choice: to choose from a range of facilities on offer; to choose when to use the facilities; to choose to attend somewhere with the whole family.
The seed was sown. Our vision was set. The problem was that we needed £1.2 million to fulfil this dream to refurbish West Denton Hall in Newcastle, our chosen venue for our new and innovative short break facility that would offer a range of specialised on-site activities.
The charity was determined to break new ground in this area of care, demonstrating its commitment in investing in people with disabilities. And so began the biggest fundraising campaign in the charity’s 60 year history.
A grant of £150,000 from The Big Lottery kicked-off the fundraising and from then, money started to trickle in from a range of sources, not least from hundreds of individuals donating relatively small amounts. We then received a few very large donations from leading businessmen and supporters, with the final sum being secured by the region’s very own footballing hero, the former England and Newcastle United football star, Alan Shearer:
In October 2006, Alan Shearer donated £320,000 of his testimonial fund which was made up of £250,000 plus Gift Aid. This phenomenal sum allowed the refurbishment to be completed in time for the planned opening of its two distinct yet complementary services in April and October 2007. It was following this generosity that the former manor house and Hall became known as the Alan Shearer Centre.
The upper floor of the former manor house is now the Alan Shearer Short Break Centre, providing unique holiday experiences for guests in the care of our professional staff, trained in looking after people with all forms of disability. The ground floor comprises the Alan Shearer Activity Centre. The whole centre is surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens allowing guests to enjoy a range of outdoor activities in a spacious and natural setting.
About Alan Shearer Centre Short Breaks
Since opening its doors in October 2007, the centre has welcomed over 200 children and adults, many of whom are regular users of the service.
Our fully qualified and experienced staff team is on hand to offer 24-hour support and care. All personal needs can be catered for in a setting designed specially for children and adults with physical and learning disabilities. Accommodation includes fully adapted en-suite bedrooms and bathing facilities with overhead tracking, a communal lounge and dining area.
Alan Shearer Short Break Centre is situated on the first floor of the refurbished building and the ground floor below comprises the Alan Shearer Activity Centre.
If you would like to know more about our services, please ring our registered manager, Carol Harrison, on 0191 2678128 or contact us by email.
Our committed, experienced and stable staff team is led by our Registered Manager, Carol Harrison.
Carol joined St Cuthberts Care in 2003 and has been the registered manager of our Short Break Centre since 2007. She has over 20 years’ experience of working within both mainstream and specialist education settings with young people with a range disabilities and has her Registered Manager’s Award (RMA) and NVQ level 4 in health and social care. She also holds a Professional Practice Award from Northumbria University..
Carol manages a team of over 20 people, working closely with them to ensure a safe and happy stay for every guest. All members of the team possess the nationally recognised Learning Disability Qualification and are trained as a minimum, to NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care for adults, children and young people.
Specialised training is accessed by all staff and managed and monitored through the development of St Cuthberts Care’s workforce induction and training programme. The ongoing programme is robust and equips our staff with the skills and understanding necessary in assessing and working alongside people with highly complex needs.
Every guest is assigned a key worker which helps to build up trust and continuity with every stay.
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