St Cuthbert's Care
St Cuthbert’s Care is committed to helping improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including people with profound disabilities, children in care, older people and those living on the margins of society.
Here we talk to Nicola Milne, Communications and Engagement Manager for the Charity.
Why was the charity formed?
St Cuthbert’s Care was founded in 1946 to support children orphaned after the Second World War. Inspired by Catholic values, we’ve grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of people across the North East. Today, we’re proud to be one of the region’s longest-established social care charities, offering a wide range of services for children, older people and adults with disabilities.
What type of fundraising events do you have?
While most of our services are funded through statutory contracts, it’s the generosity of our supporters that helps us go the extra mile. Fundraising plays a vital role in keeping the Alan Shearer Centre free of charge for over 5,000 members with disabilities – we need to raise at least £320,000 each year to make this possible. The Alan Shearer Foundation leads the way with high-profile events, including an annual ball and charity golf day.
Thanks to regular donors, legacy gifts and community fundraising, we’re able to support other important areas of our work. This includes helping adults with learning disabilities at our Ashington day centre develop vital life skills, providing sleeping bags and essentials to people facing homelessness, enriching daily life in our nursing homes and funding Young Stars – our youth club that brings together children in foster care to enjoy fun activities and build friendships with others who understand their experiences.
Who are your trustees and patrons?
We’re supported by a dedicated board of trustees from business, care and community who provide governance and oversight, helping us maintain the highest standards of care.
We’re also fortunate to have patrons who passionately raise the profile of our work. These include Alan Shearer CBE and his wife Lainya as well as Lady Elsie Robson, Mike Browne and television presenters Ant and Dec OBE. Their support helps to shine a spotlight on the difference we make to people across the North East – we can’t thank them enough.
What have been your proudest moments so far?
We’ve had many proud moments over the years, each one a reflection of the dedication shown by our teams. Ensuring the Alan Shearer Centre remains free to thousands of families is a huge achievement, made possible through the ongoing support of the Alan Shearer Foundation. Thanks to this support, we’ve been able to expand our playground, upgrade our hydrotherapy pool and provide free meals to families experiencing cost-of-living challenges.
We were also the first charity in the North East providing adult social care to become a Living Wage Foundation employer – an achievement we’ve proudly sustained ever since.
We’re equally proud of the young people leaving our residential children’s homes who go on to live independently, pursue education or employment and feel confident about their future.
Most recently, we celebrated a milestone at St Catherine’s, our nursing home in Newcastle, which became the first in the city to be awarded the prestigious Gold Standard Framework for end-of-life care – recognition of the compassion and professionalism of our team.
What are you currently working on?
We’re always focused on delivering the highest quality care and are continually developing our services to meet new and emerging needs. Right now, we’re expanding our support for disabled children, ensuring we can meet their needs both now and in the future.
We’re also growing our community services to reach more people facing hardship – particularly those experiencing complex or hidden challenges. Whether through tailored support, safe accommodation or inclusive activities, we aim to provide stability, confidence and new opportunities for those who need us most.
What does the future hold?
Like others in the sector, we’re feeling the strain of rising demand, funding pressures and the recent increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions. As a Living Wage Foundation employer, we’re proud to fairly reward our employees for the vital work they do – despite the financial pressure this creates.
Yet we remain positive. We’re lucky to have a skilled and dedicated team, united by a commitment to those we support. It’s this strength that gives us confidence in a future where we continue to adapt, grow and deliver care that truly makes a difference.
How can people get involved?
There are lots of ways to support St Cuthbert’s Care. You could volunteer your time, help raise awareness, take on a fundraising challenge or even consider becoming a trustee. Every act of support helps us reach more people in need and continue providing lifechanging care across the North East.
However you choose to get involved; you’ll be making a real difference – we’d love to hear from you.
For more information visit our website: www.stcuthbertscare.org.uk or call Nicola Milne, Communications and Engagement Manager on 0191 242 4809.