At St Cuthbert's Care, we understand the trust families place in us. Across our two nursing homes, St Catherine's in Newcastle and Holy Cross in Sunderland, our aim is simple: to provide compassionate care in places where people feel safe, valued and truly at home.
Although the homes are different in character, they share the same foundations: compassion, dignity, community and a belief that moving into residential care should never mean giving up the things that make life meaningful.
A Place to Call Home
For more than 150 years, Holy Cross has been part of Sunderland’s community. Founded by the Little Sisters of the Poor, it has long been a place where generations of local people and Catholic families have found care, companionship and support. When the home faced closure in 2012, St Cuthbert’s Care stepped in to secure its future, preserving not only the residents’ home, but an important part of Sunderland’s Catholic community.
St Catherine’s offers a different setting. Purpose-built and designed around person-centred care, it provides a warm and welcoming environment where residents, families and staff know one another by name and relationships are built on trust and understanding.
Both our homes share something families often tell us matters most: they feel like home.
Life Beyond Care
Daily life is shaped around individual choice, with staff taking time to understand each person’s interests and preferences.
For George, one of the highlights of the week is book club. An author himself, he enjoys sharing his books and discussing favourite reads with fellow residents. Others may choose arts and crafts, music sessions, time in the garden or simply the pleasure of sharing a cup of tea with friends and family.
At Holy Cross, one of the most anticipated events of the week is a visit from pupils at a local primary school. Children arrive carrying books and stories to share, creating friendships that bridge generations. Retired priest Fr Harry is a particular favourite, his stories, humour and enthusiasm never fail to attract an audience.
For residents, these visits bring companionship, connection and the chance to share their experiences. For the children, they offer an opportunity to learn from people whose lives span decades of history. These connections enrich the lives of both generations.
A Community Shaped by Residents
Through regular residents’ and relatives’ meetings, people are encouraged to share ideas and influence activities, events and day-today life within the home.
Together, residents, relatives, volunteers and staff create a community where everyone has a voice. Birthdays, celebrations, visits from local groups and shared experiences help create a strong sense of belonging.
Care Beyond the Practical
Many colleagues have worked within our homes for years, building trusted relationships with residents and families. That continuity helps create a familiar and reassuring environment where people feel understood and supported.
Residents join us with a lifetime of experiences, interests and values. Understanding what matters to each person, from lifelong hobbies and family traditions to how they like their tea, helps ensure care is shaped around the individual.
Faith remains an important part of daily life for many residents. Opportunities for prayer and regular Mass provide comfort, familiarity and spiritual support, reflecting the Catholic ethos that has been at the heart of St Cuthbert’s Care for almost 80 years.
Recognised for Excellence
Our commitment to person-centred care has been recognised through both Holy Cross and St Catherine’s achieving Gold Standards Framework accreditation for excellence in end-of-life care and support. At St Catherine’s, the team was further acknowledged with an exceptional Local Authority inspection score of 399 out of 400.
While these achievements reflect the quality of care provided, feedback from residents and families brings that quality to life. One family member wrote to thank the team, describing their father’s time at the home as “truly very happy months”. She spoke of how he had been able to reconnect with his Catholic faith and reflected on the peace and comfort he experienced in his final days. As a nurse who had worked in many care homes, she added: “The care I witnessed truly was outstanding. Lovely home, lovely staff.”
www.stcuthbertscare.org.uk