Some organisations manage to take stock before the end of the year, but we always seem to be so busy making sure everyone has their care needs met over the festive period there never seems time to look back. So here we are in January celebrating what we have achieved together!
Direct Carer Support
In 2024 our dedicated care teams delivered 92,126 hours of care over the 3 counties of Oxfordshire, West Berkshire and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. This provided over 176 people with direct personal and social care, 20 of whom are children and young adults. This in turn gives around 440 family carers a much-needed break. That’s time to meet friends, time to do the shopping, time to get in the garden, time to spend with other children. That is personal care delivered so not all care needs fall to family carers. That’s 322,441 support hours delivered.
Clubs and Caravans
Our caravans at Butlins were booked out all summer especially with our children and families. The Boyne Day Centre in Windsor supports people with dementia every Saturday and we continue to deliver our weekly Parkinson’s with Live Music Club in Abingdon, under instruction from its founder Pat.
Individual Carers Grants
Being a carer can put a lot of strain on finances, and we successfully applied to Carers Trust to access 4 individual carers grants to help carers manage in the cost-of-living crisis with things that make their individual lives so much brighter and easier – a sofa, an i-pad and a couple of holidays.
Well-being Check Service
Our new well-being check service serves the double action of keeping care standards up but also supporting carers with a listening ear. We organised 60 checks since the service started in September.
Flexi-Carer Fund
Our Flexi-carer Fund supported bereaved and stressed carers, and we also organised group outings. Getting together with other carers is not only something to look forward to and reflect upon but reduces feelings of isolation so common in 24/7 carers.
The Newbury team got over 60 carers and people with needs together for a summer party at the Newbury British Legion, while 20 carers had a Christmas lunch together at the Pineapple pub in Slough. Yet again all our Christmas panto tickets for Sleeping Beauty were a lovely treat at the Playhouse for 30 of our children and their families.
Moments of Kindness
It is less easy to quantify all the small moments of kindness and care given by our teams of care workers and organisational staff, but we all add to the whole:
“As a family we cannot thank Crossroads enough. As for S.? I have no words – she has cared for my mother and our family by doing what she does, we really cannot thank her enough.”
“Crossroads are providing a brilliant service to my father. “The Gang” are really great at thinking on their feet, and treat Dad with dignity and respect.”
Looking Ahead
This year we look forward to continuing to support carers and people with care needs. On Young Carers Action Day 12th March, we have plans to deliver fun alien themed workshops for young carers in schools in Oxford.
