What Crossroads can do for you
	What can Crossroads do to help you? We recognize that being a full-time carer of a friend or family member who is ill or has a disability at home can be extremely exhausting and stressful. Our aim is to help relieve the stress of caring by enabling the carer, or family, to have some time for themselves. Regular breaks can help minimise the risk of carer breakdown, thereby avoiding unnecessary admission to hospital or residential care. Who can benefit? If you are caring constantly at home for someone who is frail or has a disability/illness, whatever their age, we may be able to help you, even if you are already getting help from other services. We can provide support to anyone who lives within the Borough of Epsom and Ewell or the Mole Valley District. If you live outside these areas and would like to find your nearest Crossroads, please click here: www.crossroads.org.uk We are not able to relieve paid carers.
	What support can we offer? Crossroads can provide a trained care attendant to look after the person you care for at home, to enable you to have a break. The amount of time we can offer can be varied to meet your needs and may be on either a regular weekly or planned basis, or just occasionally, for example to attend an appointment or a special social event.
	A regular visit would usually be for 3 hours and would be provided on the same day,at the same time each week. We are able to offer support during the day, in the evenings and at weekends, subject to staff availability. Unfortunately we are not able to offer a crisis or emergency service.
	About our care attendants   All our care attendants undergo a rigorous recruitment and selection process before joining and are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau for their suitability to work with vulnerable people. They receive a comprehensive induction training, as well as ongoing refresher training when necessary.
	What will the care attendants do? Our care attendants are trained to be able to meet a variety of care needs, including assisting with personal care, toileting, mobility and meal and drink preparation. They can provide as much or as little physical help as required. The care attendant is not able to carry out nursing tasks and is not able to assist with housework.
	How does it work? We are very happy to take referrals or enquiries about support from carers, as well as from health or social care professionals. If we are able to help, the Manager will visit you to carry out an assessment and discuss your need for support. The Manager will endeavour to match the allocated care attendant with the needs and interests of the person cared for. Once care has been agreed, the care attendant will make an initial visit to introduce herself before the regular visits start. How much does it cost? Mid Surrey Crossroads - Caring for Carers provides a free service. It is a registered charity, is financed by different sources, including Health & Social Services and is regulated by The Commission for Social Care Inspection. The Scheme Manager, office staff and care attendants are paid employees of the charity. Donations and contributions are always welcomed and needed to supplement the care hours provided. How do I get help? If you would like some help from Crossroads, or would like to find out more, please Contact Us. Click here for our latest newsletter.