We are saying an enormous thank you to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting on Thursday 17 October held in the prestigious setting of the salon room at York House, Twickenham.
The afternoon brought together many of the carers and their cared-for that we support, our patron Sir Vince Cable, our ambassador actress Jacki Piper, former mayor Cllr Nancy Baldwin as well as our staff team, volunteers, members, Friends of Crossroads, trustees and other guests to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Crossroads Care.
We were also joined by the original manager, Anita Fox, who set up Crossroads Care Richmond back in 1897. Anita shared her memories of what the care sector was like then and how the charity started as well as highlighting just how far the charity has extended its reach to support even more unpaid carers.
Anita said, ‘From my initial 13 years with the scheme, it has now blossomed out into a thoughtfully rounded set of projects which much more fully meets the needs of different groups of carers who are looking after someone at home.’
Our ambassador, actress Jacki Piper, went on to speak very movingly about how Crossroads Care supported her when her beloved husband Douglas developed Alzheimer’s disease.
Jacki appeared in the original Crossroads soap opera from which our charity originates. When the show featured a storyline in which motel owner Meg Richardson looked after her disabled son Sandy, the programme makers ATV realised that there was neither government funding nor any other form of support available to family carers. They then donated £10,000 towards a ‘caring for carers’ pilot scheme which was to become the start of nationwide Crossroads branches.
Jacki said, ‘When Douglas’ Alzheimer’s progressed, I tried to hide how awful and terrifying things had become and so really isolated myself. Luckily for me, Crossroads stepped in and helped and supported me, giving me valuable moments when I could repair myself enough to continue through that particular day. I’ll never forget them.
‘Imagine if even they weren’t around to help pull you out of the black hole. That’s why it’s so important to try and help them continue in their important role in our community, to keep them going for everyone else coming behind us. They are invaluable.’
One of the carers that we support, Yuan, spoke about how he became a full-time carer for his son, Richard, after he suffered a cardiac arrest in November 2020, leading to brain injury, balance and mobility problems as well as challenges with speech.
During that time, the family were hit by yet more devastation as Richard’s mother died, leaving Yuan utterly bereft and suffering from all the mental anguish that his new reality caused.
Yuan said, ‘I was so focused on Richard’s recovery that the concept of respite seemed selfish to me. But when Crossroads came into our lives, they exceeded all my expectations.
‘The staff that we have worked with are well qualified, experienced and passionate about their work, and always go that extra mile. It would have been hard to manage without their support and efforts.’
Our gratitude goes out to everyone who supports Crossroads Care including through donations and fundraising – whether that’s holding a tea party for Crossroads or doing an Ironman or the London Marathon as well as all the other wonderful and inspiring challenges that people have taken on in aid of our charity.
With thanks to our key funders who enable us to have an even greater impact on the lives of carers and the people they care for: the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Hampton Fund, Richmond Parish Lands Charity, The Barnes Fund, NHS, The Victoria Foundation, Garfield Western Foundation, City Bridge Trust and The National Lottery Community Fund.
