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Free ‘thank you’ breaks to nursing staff from holiday cottage owners

Short breaks and holidays a show of gratitude to NHS workers for caring in the pandemic
one holiday cottage being made available free to staff at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Holidays and short breaks free-of-charge are a show of gratitude to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust workers for caring during the pandemic

one holiday cottage being made available free to staff at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Nursing staff at one trust are being offered free cottage holidays to help them recover from the challenges of the pandemic.

The initiative is the idea of holiday cottage owner Gillian Baker-Cresswell, as a token of gratitude to staff at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She has teamed up with a local holiday cottages agency, which enlisted other owners, securing 50 properties for the ‘Nightingale cottages’ scheme.

‘I couldn’t believe someone would do something like this for me’

Janice Coleby, healthcare assistant, North Tyneside General Hospital

More than 50 breaks – many lasting seven nights – have been promised over the next few months for trust staff nominated by colleagues.

Much-needed breaks

North Tyneside General Hospital healthcare assistant Janice Coleby was the first to be offered a cottage free break.

‘I was really emotional when I found out – I couldn’t believe someone would do something like this for me,’ she said.

‘The pandemic has been tough so it’s really nice to have a special break to look forward to, and I’d like to thank everyone involved. It means a lot to me.’

Berwick Infirmary matron Anna Wood will be staying at a cottage too.

She said: ‘It’s been a very challenging year for us all and it’s been stressful making sure patients and staff are well looked after.

‘I have caring commitments at home, so a stay in a cottage will be a wonderful and much-needed change of environment, but close enough to get home quickly in an emergency.’


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