Elsie Dixon - Founder of Elpha Lodge

Born in 1943 in Elswick, in the northeast of Newcastle upon Tyne, the founder of Elpha Lodge Care Home (Elsie Dixon) grew up in a family where her father worked as a Turbine Fitter and her mother was a housewife, looking after her and her three brothers. From an early age, she aspired to become either a nurse or a nun.

At the age of 15, she left school and became an office junior. Shortly after, she transitioned to working in an office within a clothing factory. Despite these early roles, her ambition to work in a caring environment never faded. She began exploring opportunities to pursue a career in nursing or, at the very least, in a role that involved care for others.

Eventually, she was accepted as a nursing student, and after fulfilling the necessary requirements, she began working at Newcastle General Hospital in the Occupational Therapy department. In 1975, she took a position at a school for children with special needs. It was during this time that her vision became clear: she wanted to create an environment where people with special needs could receive the care they deserved, in a place that promoted their quality of life.

Over the following years, she worked tirelessly in the evenings, selling cane work items, working at a local pub, and organizing car boot sales. By this time, she had been divorced for several years but had met a wonderful man, John, who supported her in achieving her dream. John, a painter and decorator, had been hired to paint the interior of new houses. He suggested she help him, allowing them to save the money needed for a deposit on a property.

In 1984, her search for a suitable property began. After visiting many areas and consulting various professionals, she still hadn’t found the right place. One weekend, while visiting a northern town with John, they stopped by a selling agency to gather information. Among the listings, an advertisement caught her attention—a church that had been adapted into a family home. Without hesitation, she contacted the sellers and arranged a viewing.

To her surprise, the gentleman who came to pick them up was her former tutor. Upon seeing the property in Broomhill, she immediately fell in love with it. After 16 months of consultations, professional visits, and much traveling, she finally signed the papers. In 1987, Elpha Lodge was officially opened by the local mayor.

Throughout her journey, she received a crucial piece of advice from a special mentor, Mr. Michael Hackett. That advice was one word: "Determination." This word guided her in the creation of Elpha Lodge, a care home that reflects her lifelong passion for helping others.