How many carers are there?
It is estimated that there are at least 23,000 carers living in the Boroughs of Guildford and Waverley, and that approximately 3,000 of these carers are providing 50 hours of unpaid care per week. (2001 Census). 3 out of every 5 of us will be, or will have been, a carer at some stage in our lives.
How do we help carers in our area?
If you are a carer, our professionally trained care staff can take over your caring responsibilities, so that you can have a break. Our staff can visit weekly, fortnightly or monthly - usually for 3 hours or so. This gives carers time to themselves - to go out, catch up with friends and family, keep up with hobbies and pastimes that they enjoy or to work.
Our staff can also visit on a more ad hoc basis, if carers only need an ocassional help. We also provide a limited overnight support service.
Please do telephone us to find out more about the help we can provide to you.
To register with the scheme, carers pay a one off registration fee of £20. The majority of our core services are provided free of charge, but carers can pay to purchase additional services or to access support immediately.
Also see Crossroads Services
How many carers do we help?
Guildford & Waverley Crossroads Care was established in 1984, providing home based respite support for carers across the Borough of Guildford until 2002, when activities expanded into the Borough of Waverley.
On average we provide support to 450 carers each year who are registered with the scheme. The scheme receives 20 referrals every month and operates a waiting list.
How is the scheme regulated?
The scheme is registered with the Care Quality Commission (formerly Commission of Social Care Inspection) as a domiciliary care provider. The outcome of our latest inspection, in April 2007, was that the scheme is judged to provide excellent outcomes for service users. If you would like to download a copy of our latest Inspection Report or find out more about the work of the CSCI or about the Domiciliary Care Regulations and National Minimum Care Standards please go to www.csci.org.uk, or contact us.
“It makes it possible for me to attend work meetings when necessary”
About Crossroads Caring for Carers across the country
Guildford & Waverley Crossroads Care is affiliated to Crossroads Association (Charity No. 282102, Company Limited by Guarantee No. 1544708), the national organisation which provides supports the activities of local schemes like ours across England and Wales.
In the first year of operation in 1974, Crossroads supported just 28 families. Today Crossroads Caring for Carers consists of approximately 180 member schemes throughout England and Wales. Over 4.4 million care hours are provided every year to more than 35,000 carers - The equivalent of over 500 years of care.
You can find out more about Crossroads activities nationally at www.crossroads.org.uk
“The fact that I can just go out is the most important thing. I just do ordinary things like going shopping or seeing a friend which most people take for granted, but for me it is something special!”
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