BECOME A FRIEND OF CROSSROADS

Help us to meet local need and directly reduce our waiting list, to provide more carers with a vital break from their caring role. There are 10.6 million unpaid carers across the UK, a number that is estimated to be closer to 19 million; and 18,000 adult carers and 1,000 young carers (under 18) living in Richmond.

By becoming a Friend of Crossroads, you will be supporting our award-winning charity to give even more often vulnerable, and socially isolated carers essential high-quality bespoke respite care and support from their caring roles before they reach breaking point.

‘Crossroads have been a Godsend in my life.’ Tom, sole carer for his elderly, virtually housebound mother

‘Without the help and support of Crossroads Care, I would have gone mad.’ A full-time carer for his wife who has early onset Alzheimer’s at age 54

There are a number of ways you can become a Friend of Crossroads:

Fundraise!

Whether you want to pull on your trainers to tackle a half-marathon or get sponsored to do something unusual, there are lots of ways to help us raise money for much-needed respite for carers, from digital detoxes to bake sales. You can do this independently or as part of an organised event.

To become a Friend of Crossroads and help us improve the lives of carers and the people they care for please contact us.

The Hidden Benefits of Volunteering

The Hidden Benefits of Volunteering

‘Volunteering? I’d much rather be doing this than going on cruises!’ says Crossroads Care Trustee Margaret Dangoor who has dedicated her life to the needs of carers. Fiona Mitchell spoke to her to mark the Big Help Out – a community volunteering initiative being held...

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Change your Hairdo!

Why not take on a hair-inspired challenge? Harrison Gurney let his wife, Stevie-Leigh, shave off all his hair on his birthday and asked his friends to donate to us. Harrison raised an incredible £1,180 pounds for us.

Stage a Get-Together with a Difference

  • Hold a cupcake morning.
  • Hold a clothes swap afternoon.
  • Put on a games night featuring games like Jenga, or go digital with a Wii.
  • How about having a pamper party?

Sell Stuff

Sell off your unwanted items on eBay and donate the profits to us.

Give Something Up

  • Do a digital detox.
  • Stop talking and get people to sponsor your silence.

Get Sporty

Two of our team ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon.

They raised an amazing £2,361 for us and one of our key funders The Victoria Foundation And our Care Manager Nicola Wilson tackled with the gruelling 10K Tough Mudder with her friends Sally and Laetitia raising more than £3,000 for Crossroads Care.

  • If running or tackling mud-spattered obstacle courses are not your thing, why not pull on some comfy shoes and challenge yourself to walking further than you would normally?
  • Or run an exercise class at home for your friends.

Become a Local Partner

We are so grateful to local businesses, community groups and schools that come to our aid. Find out here how your company, community group or school can support us.

Corporate and Community Group Giving

Organise events like pub quizzes or karaoke nights, all while raising money or make us your charity of the year!

  • Hold a themed fancy dress day at work.
  • Organise a raffle and sell tickets to your workmates.
  • Afternoon cakes at the office always go down a treat, so why not hold a cake bake sale?
  • Attend an event organised by one of our key funders like The Victoria Foundation Winter Ball!

Schools

  • Promote kindness in-line with the ethos and culture of your school.
  • Contribute your Mufti Day donations.
  • Donate a small percentage of proceeds from your school fair.
  • Organise a special event like a poetry competition.

Children at St Mary’s and St Peter’s School, Teddington, designed some fantastic Christmas cards to go inside more than 50 hampers which were delivered to our older carers.

    Volunteer!

    Offer up your time or expertise:

    Have You Ever Thought of Becoming a Trustee?

    Have You Ever Thought of Becoming a Trustee?

    During Volunteers Week, human resources expert Jane Vines and Geoff Lane, a former partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), talk about just what it takes to be a trustee for Crossroads Care Richmond and Kingston upon Thames What motivated you to become a trustee?...

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    Why Volunteering for Crossroads Care is so Rewarding

    Why Volunteering for Crossroads Care is so Rewarding

    ‘There’s this saying that when you volunteer here you become part of the Crossroads family, and I believe that’s true.’ Volunteer, Heather Mathew, talks about why volunteering for Crossroads Care is so rewarding... ‘When both my parents, who lived in Norfolk, became...

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    • Musicians at our Caring Café
    • Become a Trustee
    • Give some of your time to one of our community projects

    Use the enquire button below to find out more about the many volunteering roles within our charity.

    We are here to help. Click here to make an enquiry. ENQUIRE

    The Power of Books for Children with Autism

    Today on International Read to Me Day, and during Neurodiversity Celebration Week, one of the parent carers that we support is shining a light on the power of books for children with autism. Crossroads Care supports Jane and her daughter Annabel, 13, who has autism,...

    Keep Dancing! How Dancing Can Help Children with Autism

    During World Autism Month, Fiona Mitchell explores how street dance classes can enhance the lives of children with special educational needs and disability (SEND). Eighteen months ago, Hebe, 15, who has autism and dyspraxia, began attending the Crossroads Care...

    Supporting the Well-Being of Dads with Disabled Children

    Our Dads Who Care group has become a lifeline to fathers of profoundly disabled children. Here, James, who spoke at our recent AGM, shares how being a member of the group helps to reduce loneliness and feelings of loss. It’s difficult to put into words just how huge...

    Getting Carers Talking

    With Time to Talk Day taking place in February, Crossroads Care Peer Support Worker Michaella Ramini speaks to us about a new initiative to support people looking after loved-ones experiencing severe mental health issues What is this new mental health initiative? I...

    Managing Mental Health when Caring for a Disabled Child

    To coincide with Parent Mental Health Day this month, Fiona Mitchell explores how Crossroads Care supports the well-being of local parent carers looking after children with complex needs All parents experience some form of stress at different points in their lives,...

    Come and Volunteer with us at Crossroads Care!

    Crossroads Care, the charity that supports carers and the people they care for, of all ages and disability, has 24 regular volunteers who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team. While all our care support workers are paid, highly trained members of...

    Our Annual General Meeting 2023!

    Enormous thanks to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting yesterday held in the beautiful salon room at York House, Twickenham. We were delighted to welcome many of the carers that we support, along with our Patron Sir Vince Cable, the Mayor of Richmond Cllr...

    A PAID CARER’S VOICE: The Hidden Value of Care

    When Saturday Club Lead Danielle Way joined Crossroads Care as a care support worker five years ago, she wanted to make a difference, but never for a moment did she imagine just how working for the charity would enhance her life too ‘For as long as I can remember,...

    The Caring Cafe: A Welcoming Place of Respite

    During World Alzheimer’s Month, Fiona Mitchell explores how the Caring Café, run by Crossroads Care, has become a lifeline for people living with dementia and their carers It was more than 20 years ago that visitors attended the launch of London’s very first ‘dementia...

    World Alzheimer’s Month: A Volunteer’s Story

    During World Alzheimer's Month, we are saying a big thank you to former carer, service user and Crossroads volunteer Remo Grasso (pictured front, left) who has most generously supported a number of our community projects, including volunteering at our weekly Carers...