About Us

The charity was founded in 1946 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Known as the Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Rescue Society, it provided residential care for orphaned children from the aftermath of World War II. Throughout the decades, the charity gradually expanded and diversified. In 1982, the charity was registered and also became a private limited company by guarantee. In 1986, the charity changed its name to Catholic Care North East, in order to reflect the broader range of services that it provided across the region.

Remaining firmly rooted within the Catholic Church, the charity re-named in 1997 to St Cuthberts Care. Saint Cuthbert, the revered seventh century Bishop of Lindisfarne, practised Christianity through his own example, tirelessly bringing his holiness and humility to both populated and remote parts of his Diocese. St Cuthberts Care is proud to bear the name of St Cuthbert, a name symbolizing centuries of Faith and Devotion in the North of England. It embodies the wide scope and nature of our Purpose, namely: "Working for the common good by enabling people to develop to their personal potential"
In practice this means that our energies and resources are spent where there is greatest need. Increasingly this has come to mean that St Cuthberts Care offers community initiatives and care services where there is no-one else willing or able to do so. We work with the most disadvantaged, poor, vulnerable or dispossessed in our society.

The principles that underline the work of the charity include: Recognition of the inherent dignity of each individual, Support for groups and communities committed to furthering the common good, Empowering people to take responsibility, and achieve self-reliance, Stewardship over our resources in a careful and appropriate manner, Demonstrating integrity and excellence in the work that we do. As an Investors in People organization we are committed to the development and success of our staff, and in achieving best practice standards in our work. In addition, St Cuthberts Care carries the 'positive about disabled people' symbol, awarded to us by JobCentre Plus for our positive commitment to employing, keeping and developing people with disabilities.