Here, Crossroads Care’s newly retired Chief Operating Officer, Rachel Tawadrous reflects on a lifetime of caring and explains why supporting unpaid carers is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose.
Rachel joined Crossroads Care in 1991 as a Care Support Worker. Over the next three decades she became Care Manager and later Chief Operating Officer, but throughout her career one thing never changed – her passion for supporting carers and the people they love.
‘When I first saw an advert for Care Attendants for Crossroads Care in my local Hampton Hill newsletter, I knew straightaway it was something I wanted to do,’ says Rachel. ‘Looking back now, more than 35 years later, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
‘Caring has always been part of my life. Growing up on a farm in Devon, I helped my mother care for both my father, who had a serious lung disease, and my grandmother, who had severe mobility problems. From a young age I understood what caring meant, but I also understood something just as important – how much family carers need a break.
‘That’s why becoming a Care Support Worker felt right for me. I loved visiting people in their own homes, getting to know them, helping with whatever they needed and, just as importantly, giving their family member time for themselves. Over the years, many carers have told me that having that weekly respite break kept them going. It’s a very good feeling to know you’ve made that difference to someone’s life.
‘Of course, care support work isn’t the right job for everyone,’ says Rachel. ‘But if you genuinely enjoy being with people and you are compassionate and patient, it truly is one of the most rewarding careers you could choose.’
Among Rachel’s proudest achievements, was helping to establish the charity’s Caring Café in 2001 for carers and people living with dementia — the first initiative of its kind in the UK. More than two decades later, it is still providing vital support for local families.
‘It has been a privilege to support so many wonderful carers over the years – both in their homes and in Crossroads’ many community projects,’ says Rachel. ‘Although I’m retiring, I’ll be staying on as a volunteer because I want to go on helping people. Long may Crossroads Care continue its brilliant work in supporting carers.’
