Winter 2013
Photography: www.philashley.com
A greeting from our new CEO Hello I am the new Chief Executive Officer of Crossroads Care Surrey, having joined the organisation following Catherina Tam’s recent departure. I am very excited to be joining at this time and to work for such a valued organisation in Surrey. I come with a background of working in both the Private, Statutory and Voluntary sectors and hope that I can bring experience and strong leadership to Crossroads Care Surrey.
Christine Cleveland: Crossroads new CEO
I understand a lot of change has taken place over the last couple of years and without doubt there will still be more to come. My first impressions are of an organisation that has responded to the changing landscape of supporting Carers by having successfully restructured and invested in new technology to support their ever increasing workload. Crossroads is now much better placed to deliver its diverse services more efficiently not only offering support to Carers in their homes but also by offering services in the community and through more groups. From my perspective one of the biggest challenges facing the organisation in the near future is the move from Crossroads Care Surrey receiving traditional block contracts given out by statutory services like the Council and Health towards us identifying funding from other sources. The increasing trend towards personal budgets being offered to people in need of care is obviously going to place new challenges on us as we will need to market our services to a much wider audience. However, with the forthcoming Care and Support Bill which is currently going through Parliament there is a strong recognition of the important role that Carers have in
supporting vulnerable members of our local communities to remain in their homes. It is indeed proposed that increased rights will be in place for the millions of unpaid Carers in the UK. I do hope you enjoy our second newsletter and I look forward to your continued invaluable support.
Catherina Tam’s farewell with colleagues at Park Barn.
Christine Cleveland Chief Executive Officer
Our three locations
West
North
East
1st Floor Suite, Park Barn Centre Park Barn Drive Guildford GU2 8EN T: 01483 447771 / 01483 447772
Room 255 Spelthorne Borough Council Knowle Green, Staines TW18 1XB T: 01784 446294 / 01784 448578
Oxted Community Hall Church Lane Oxted RH8 9NB T: 01883 714641 / 01883 732284
E: enquiries.west@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
E: enquiries.north@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
E: enquiries.east@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
How we make a difference
What we do Crossroads Care Surrey is a registered charity that provides much needed respite breaks to support Carers of adults, children and young people with care needs. We provide highly trained care staff to take over the caring responsibility for a few hours a week, enabling the Carer to have some precious time to themselves. We pride ourselves in ensuring that with every home visit we allow enough time to cater for the needs of the individual. Our core purpose is to improve the quality of life for Carers and the people they care for, and to foster their physical and mental well-being. We do this by enabling them to take a break from their caring responsibilities, with the peace of mind that comes from the knowledge that the person with care needs is in the good, reliable and professionally trained hands of our Carer Support Workers.
Our Core Services We run a variety of services: 
Our core service: 3 FREE hours each week of one to one
home based care which is funded by Surrey County Council and voluntary income. Additional CSW hours can be purchased privately or through direct payments. We are committed to sending the same Carer Support Worker to each visit, providing continuity of care and emotional support. We base our visits around an individuals needs and are more than happy to stay with them at their home or take them out on trips (mileage is chargeable). We are proud to say that over 50% of our CSWs have worked with Crossroads Care Surrey for over 10 years.
Clubs: Social Clubs, Befriending Groups for children and young adults, Care Cafés for Carers and people with dementia, and Saturday Clubs for children with disabilities and complex care needs.
Packages From just £90 we can offer a 10 hour block of respite day care (£63 if you relinquish your Core Service of 3 free hours for a week).* Or from just £80 we can offer 10 hours of sleeping night cover (£56 if you relinquish your Core Service of 3 free hours for a week).* Or from just £100 we can offer 10 hours of waking night cover (£70 if you relinquish your Core Service of 3 free hours for a week).* Need a weekend away? Why not use one of our overnight or weekend packages? Charges start from just £195 for 24 hour sleeping cover. We can also offer waking nights and extended cover for up to 48 hours.* To book or discuss these packages further please contact the Care Co-ordinator at the location nearest to you.
Who can refer? Referrals can come from the Carers themselves or their friends and family, GPs, Social Workers or healthcare professionals.
Crossroads Care Surrey is committed to supporting as many unpaid Carers as possible and we welcome all new referrals. For more information on Crossroads Care Surrey please contact us on 01483 447770, or enquires@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk www.crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk *Conditions apply
End of Life Carers Support Service
Photography: www.philashley.com
In partnership with the NHS, this free Crossroads Care Surrey-wide service provides individually tailored practical and compassionate support to Carers and people affected by life limiting illnesses at home during their last twelve months of life. A palliative care-trained Carer Support Worker will take over the caring role to give the unpaid Carer regular breaks. The aim of the service is to improve the quality of life of Carers and their family members by reducing the stress and fatigue they may experience as a result of their caring role. Our Carer Support Workers are able to listen and provide practical as well as personal support to the family at a time when they may feel great sadness and are fearful of their circumstances as well as the future. Most Clients prefer to stay at home, surrounded by family and friends, pets and familiar possessions. Our End of Life Carers Support Service, makes it possible for the family to make the most appropriate choice suited to their circumstances. Referrals come from Social Care Teams, GP Surgeries, District Nurses, Hospices, or by self-referral. The support provided is unlimited and available 24 hours a day if needed. For further information please contact your local Crossroads Care Surrey office.
Carer’s Research 2013 As part of our strategy of improving our services and identifying unmet needs, we carry out an annual Carers survey. This enables us to monitor Carers’ opinions of their Crossroads service and develop a better understanding of their feelings towards being an unpaid Carer. Over 450 Carers completed the 2013 survey. The results were outstanding giving us confidence that we are fulfilling Carers needs. We were proud to discover that:
95% of our Carers discover that our staff are very well trained, with one Carer saying “Crossroads Carers are better trained than social services or agency Carers.”
97% Carers agree that our Carer Support Workers arrive on time.
96% of our Carers have ‘peace of mind’ when Crossroads take over from their caring responsibilities, with one Carer describing her Crossroads visits as “freedom without worry.”
83% of our Carers told us that Crossroads helps them to keep going, with one Carer saying “Crossroads is my life-saver. My care worker allows us to carry on caring.” Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill in a Carers Questionnaire. It is your input and support that allows us to ensure that we always deliver the highest possible standard of care to unpaid Carers.
Annual General Meeting 2013 We were honoured that the Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor Mike Bennison and his wife Mary were able to attend our Annual General Meeting which was held in Cobham Village Hall, in October this year. Pictured from left to right: Jim Scudamore,
It was a morning of Alastair Paterson, Councillor Mike Bennison celebration, looking back at and his wife Mary and Christine Cleveland. our achievements from the last year and looking towards the future of Crossroads. We were delighted to have inspirational talks from: PAN Communication’s Creative Director Arron O'Hare, and Carer and long time supporter of Crossroads Mr Dharamsi. We are most fortunate to have PAN Communication’s support. They have been working with us since the beginning of the year, completely free of charge, on a Photo shoot to support our new promotional Campaign ‘Who cares… We do’. The Campaign will increase awareness of Crossroads Care Surrey and promotes our services to unpaid Carers across the county. We would like to say thank you to; photographer Phil Ashley, Arron O’Hare and everyone at Worplesdon View Care Home, Guildford.
Above: images of the Photo shoot taken at Worplesdon View.
Annual General Meeting 2013 The morning included a FREE raffle with prizes donated by Sainsbury’s Cobham, B&Q and Heinz. We enjoyed coffee generously donated by Costa Coffee and a delicious lunch prepared by our trustee Liz Critchfield and her sterling team of volunteers. We were also delighted to have representatives from Action for Carers Surrey and The New Victoria Theatre. Louise Shute presented us with a cheque for £950 on behalf of the students who took part in this summer’s Challenge Network (a registered charity delivering a government programme linked with National Citizens Service). We teamed up with them and hosted 8 workshops for 108 students aged 15-17 who fundraised on our behalf by completing a number of sponsored challenges. We were proud to learn that £950 is the largest amount ever raised for any charity partner.
Above: Lynn Graffham from Action for Carers
Louise Shute presenting us with a cheque for £950
Congratulations! Congratulations to Susan Styles, Benny Todd and Helen Harman who were each presented with a 25 year long service certificate, gift voucher & flowers. A big thank you goes to everyone that helped to make this years AGM such a success.
Challenge Network students taking part in our workshop
East Location -
East Surrey and Mid Surrey
East Surrey Oxted Community Hall, Church Lane, Oxted RH8 9NB Telephone: 01883 714641 Office hours: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday to Friday) Care Co-ordinators: Penny Burns and Caroline Wilson Penny & Caroline Email: enquiries.east@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk Out of hours telephone: 07770 742377
A big thank you to Tandridge Golf Club
We want to say a special thank you to Tandridge Golf Club who recently raised a spectacular ÂŁ5,000 for Crossroads Care Surrey, East Surrey location, at their Charity Golf Day. Picture: Alan Nash, Captain of Tandridge Golf Club presenting a cheque to Val Levy, Marketing & Fundraising Manager for ÂŁ5,000.
East Location - East Surrey and Mid Surrey Mid Surrey Oxted Community Hall, Church Lane, Oxted RH8 9NB Telephone: 01883 732284 Office hours: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday to Friday) Care Co-ordinators: Vaughan Charlton and Sarah Watts Vaughan & Sarah Email: enquiries.east@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk Out of hours telephone: 07760 792778
Epsom Drop-in Centre Epsom Drop-In Centre: First Thursday of each month.. 2.00 - 4.00pm (The next dates to the end of the year are:- 5th December)
The Epsom Drop-In is open to all, but please contact us prior to visiting so we can ensure we can meet your needs. The staff at Epsom will make you feel most welcome, with a place to meet friends, and a variety of social and recreational activities on offer. There will be tea and coffees available. For further information please contact the Mid Surrey office on 01883 732284
East Location Clubs
Varying Disabilities Farleigh Hall Club: Wednesdays. 11.00am - 3.30pm, Warlingham Reigate Club: Mondays. 11.00am - 3.30pm, Reigate Chatter Club: Fridays. 11.00am - 3.30pm, Warlingham Gentlemen’s Club: Mondays. 11.00am - 3.00pm, Oxted Ladies’ Club: Mondays. 11.00am - 3.00pm, Oxted
Dementia Memory Club: Saturdays. 10.30am - 4.00pm, Bletchingley For further information please contact Helen Harman: 01883 714641
Befriending Groups For various physical and/or learning disabilities including autism and autism spectrum disorders. Group 1: Children aged 13-18 Group 2: Young adults aged 18-25
The emphasis is on young people participating in group social activities which give them the opportunity to make choices, become more independent and have fun.
Physically Able Out and About Group: Wednesdays. 11.30am - 3.30pm, Godstone
Saturday Children's Clubs -
For Children and Young people with varying disabilities
Leatherhead: Saturdays. 11.00am - 4.00pm Walton on Thames: Saturdays. 10.00am - 4.00pm Our children’s clubs provide stimulating, interactive days for children with a range activities on offer such as baking, playing games, using the sensory room and playing on the equipment outside.
Pictured above: The Children’s Saturday club enjoying a Challenge Network Community Day
We have vacancies for more children to attend our Leatherhead Club and with the receipt of a generous legacy, we are opening a third club at Walton Leigh School. This club is set to open in the beginning of 2014 and will allow us to take another 48 children. Thanks to a very generous donation from Walton Charity an Outings Club will be launched in early 2014. 8 teenagers a week (32 young people each month) will go out on trips of their choice such as bowling, to the cinema, or to theme parks. All of our Clubs are managed under the supervision of trained Carer Support Workers and Team Leaders. If you would like to make a referral to any of the Saturday Children’s Clubs or are interested in working as a Play Worker, please contact the Children’s Club Manager, Louise Walmsley, on 07779 976184 or email walmsley6264@gmail.com
Emma and Alex’s Story
Our six year old son spent a lot of his first two and a half years in hospital suffering from seizures. After brain surgery, his medical needs reduced and his little sister joined the family. Unfortunately, Alex’s condition means that as well as epilepsy, he has severe learning difficulties, glaucoma, visual impairment and autism. The autism came to light when his sister began to be mobile and Alex became incredibly aggressive towards us all – he simply couldn’t cope with the change. As my husband frequently works away, I was often in a position of being unable to leave the children alone together – even down to having to constantly be between them to prevent physical attacks. Above: Alex going to a family wedding in September 2013 Fortunately by this time we had been assessed by Crossroads and in April 2012, Kyle arrived and life began to get easier. On Friday afternoons, Kyle arrives and Alex has someone who is there just for him, often just playing round the house, but also taking him to playgrounds, the swimming pool and soft play. Alex adores Kyle and is a happier child as he knows that he gets undivided attention for those few hours (usually upon arrival, Kyle is dragged straight out to the swing!)
This has brought about a major change as I no longer feel trapped. Due to Alex’s aggression, I couldn’t use a double buggy to take the children out; if Megan was in a buggy, Alex would use any opportunity to run off but Megan was too small to use a buggy board or to walk with Alex in a buggy. I simply couldn’t leave the house with both children. Now, I have support if I want to go somewhere with both children, and if both myself and my husband are at home, one of us gets a break! While I don’t usually get ‘respite’ in the traditional sense as I still have our daughter to look after, I very much look forward to these visits. Sometimes this is the only time in a week that I really have a chance to chat to another adult – certainly one who actually understands what our lives are really like! Crossroads has made a huge difference to our lives and I now wonder how we would have survived without their support. If you would like to share your Carer story please email it to bridie.collins@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
Talk to Crossroads Care Surrey on Facebook & Twitter
North Location - Elmbridge and Spelthorne
Elmbridge
Sue & Benny
Room 255, Community Link, Knowle Green, Staines, Middlesex TW18 1XB Telephone: 01784 448578 Office hours: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday to Friday) Care Co-ordinators: Sue Metcalf and Benny Todd.
Email: enquiries.north@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk Out of hours telephone: 07784 938697
Spelthorne Room 255, Community Link, Knowle Green, Staines, Middlesex TW18 1XB Telephone: 01784 446294 Office hours: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday to Friday) Care Co-ordinators: Tina Smith and Jill Burdett
Tina & Jill Email:enquiries.north@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk Out of hours telephone: 07784 938697
Happy Birthday to our Spelthorne client, Edith Seymour who recently celebrated her 103rd birthday with family and friends at the Benwell Day Centre, Sunbury.
North Location Social Clubs
Adults Shepperton (Greeno Centre): Mondays 1.30pm4.30pm, Wednesday 1-4pm, Thursdays 1.30pm-4.30pm and Saturdays 10.00-3.00pm (For adults with all disabilities) Dementia Care CafÊ: First Friday of each month 2.00pm-6.45pm (In partnership with Elmbridge and Spelthorne Alzheimer’s Group) Children with Disabilities After School Club: Term time only Weekly 3.30pm-5.30pm We have had a great response to our Clubs. The Carers have commented on how much they enjoy their time out and are happy to leave their loved ones. The clients enjoy a variety of crafts and other activities within the Club and look forward to coming back every week. For more information on the Clubs please contact the Spelthorne office on 01784 446294.
West Location - Guildford & Waverley and Woking & Surrey Heath
Guildford & Waverley
Jan & Lorraine
1st Floor Suite, Park Barn Centre, Park Barn Drive, Guildford GU2 8EN Telephone: 01483 447771 Office hours: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday to Friday) Care Co-ordinators: Jan Sloan and Lorraine Winstanley.
Email:enquiries.west@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
Woking and Surrey Heath 1st Floor Suite, Park Barn Centre, Park Barn Drive, Guildford GU2 8EN Telephone: 01483 447772 Office hours: 9.00am-5.00pm (Monday to Friday) Care Co-ordinators: Annetta Green and Ann White. Annetta & Ann Email: enquiries.west@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk Out of hours telephone: 07914 186162
West Location Social Clubs Adults: general health needs, 1st stage dementia Saturday Social Club: 1st Saturday of the month. 10.00am - 3.00pm. Guildford Adults: with dementia and their carers Care CafĂŠ: 2nd Friday of the month. 12.00pm - 2.00pm. Guildford We will be opening two new Adult Social Clubs at the beginning of 2014. For further information on any of our West Location Clubs please contact the Guildford office on 01483 447771or email:lorraine.winstanley@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk or jan.sloan@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
Community Matters
A big thank you to the Waitrose stores in Cobham, Goldsworth Park and Walton on Thames which are supporting us as part of their Community Matters scheme during October and November. The scheme lets Customers nominate their favourite Charity by putting a token in their chosen box. Once the tokens have been counted we will receive a share of their generous monthly Charity donation. We are delighted to have already received over ÂŁ600 from the Goldsworth Park store and look forward to receiving cheques from both Cobham and Walton on Thames in the near future.
Brad’s Story: Peggy ‘The Jigsaw Queen’ My elderly wife, for whom I am her Carer, is capable of very little. However, the highlight of her week is the visit of her Crossroads Carer, Linda. Peggy so looks forward to her arrival on Friday mornings. The first thing Linda does is open the Surrey Mirror and reads out the points of interest to Peggy. She then, if the weather is reasonable, takes Peggy for a walk around the garden. Then follows the highlight, the opening of a jigsaw puzzle. Between them they recently completed a difficult 1,000 piece puzzle for which I presented them with a cup which was joyfully received. To crown the morning they played five or six games of “Sevens”.
British London 10K On your marks get set, RUN!! Sunday 13th July 2014 Can you run 10km in less than 2 hours and raise at least £200 sponsorship? Then why not run for us in the British 10k London Run on Sunday 13th July 2014. Staged on the world’s greatest road race route past some of London’s most iconic buildings. To secure your place you will need to pay a £35 non refundable registration fee. Contact Sheila for more information on 01483 447788 or Sheila.hargreave@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
Phil, Venetia & Emily’s Story No books or prenatal class could have prepared us for the birth our daughter Emily. Although she arrived seven weeks early, she was already suffering from brain damage and we were warned that as she grew up she would face some significant physical and mental challenges. At the time, it was hard not to think that the future offered little for either her or our family.
The doctors were correct, but our worst fears were never realised. Almost nineteen years later, Emily does suffer from profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD for short), but she is a delightful girl who takes life as it comes and enjoys it whenever she gets the chance.
Above: Venetia with her daughter Emily Photography: www.philashley.com
Hers is not a life of loss but a life that, though limited, is lived to the full. Much of the credit for this has to be given to organisations like Crossroads. By helping us to care for Emily, Crossroads enables us to live a life that is not always limited by her disabilities. For instance, without it, we wouldn’t be able to take Emily’s sister to her after-school clubs. Crossroads is flexible and reliable and offers more than just a “helping hand” in the afternoons and evenings. Crossroads’ staff are well-trained, friendly and caring and treat Emily with the love and respect she deserves. In fact, Crossroads don’t just help Emily to live her life, they help her to enjoy it as well. It may be too much to say that Crossroads are lifesavers, but it’s hard to imagine life without their support.
Order your Christmas Pudding
Back by popular demand! Why not support our great cause by purchasing a delicious Christmas Pudding for your family or friends? These award winning custom made Christmas Pudding’s are specially labelled for us and not available in the Supermarket. We have two types of pudding available; a 120g Pudding (serves 1) for £2.00 or a 454g Pudding (serves 4) for £6.00. Please place your order either with your Carer Support Worker or send us your name, size and quantity of Pudding you require, your address and telephone number along with a cheque Payable to Surrey Crossroads to: Crossroads Care Surrey, 1st Floor Suite, Park Barn Centre, Park Barn Drive, Guildford, Surrey. GU2 8EN.
Letter to Editors We recently sent a letter to the Editors of newspapers in Surrey to highlight the importance of distinguishing between recent features in the media about 15 minute calls and zero hours contracts. These are often delivered by Domiciliary Care Agencies. By contrast, Crossroads Care Surrey, the leading provider of respite breaks in the County, provides highly trained staff members to take over the Carers responsibilities in their home, every week for 3 hours a week. Unpaid Carers nationally save the economy in excess of £119bn every year and we understand that by fostering their well being they are able to carry on Caring.
We invite you to become a member
Please join us and help support our work by becoming a member. An annual subscription of £20 will enable you to:
Attend and vote at our Annual General Meeting Receive our bi-annual newsletter.
If you would like to become a member of Crossroads Care Surrey please send us your name and address along with a £20 cheque made payable to Surrey Crossroads to: Crossroads Care Surrey, 1st Floor Suite, Park Barn Centre, Park Barn Drive, Guildford, GU2 8EN.
We have received legacies in memory of
Mrs Pat Bertlin, Mrs Edith Tate, Mr Pelham, Norman Kempster, Mrs Hilda Sherlock, Mrs Ann Dean, Mrs Jean Henton, Mrs Austin, Mrs Ros Gray, Master George Lindon-Travers, Mr John Carmichael. We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved families and apologise for those whose names have not mentioned. All donations are much appreciated and with them we are able to help more Carers.
Useful Contacts www.actionforcarers.org.uk
01483 302748
Age UK Surrey
www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey
01483 503414
Alzheimer's Society
www.alzheimers.org.uk
01372 729988
Carer Support Surrey
www.surreycc.gov.uk/social-careand-health/information-for-carers/ carer-support
0808 802 0202
Carers Trust
www.carers.org
0844 800 4361
Surrey Young Carers
01483 568269
Carers Direct
0808 802 0202
Family Line
www.familyline.org.uk
Voluntary Association for Surrey Disabled
0808 8005678 01372 841148
Surrey County Council Contact Centre
www.surreycc.gov.uk
0300 200 1005
National Autistic Society
www.autism.org.uk
0808 800 4104
NHS Health Line
111
Action for Carers & Employment
01737 248220
Adult Social Care:
www.surreycc.gov.uk/your-council/ council-services/adult-social-careservice
0300 200 1005 (8am-6pm weekdays)
SID (Social Information on Disability)
www.asksid.org.uk
01372 372888
Disability Holidays Guide Ltd
www.disabilityholidaysguide.com
0845 2269 109
Crossroads Care ‌ the people carers turn to Charity Registration Number 1125048. Surrey Crossroads is a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales Number 06303805. www.crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk