A boat trip down the Thames brings rare peace and companionship to carers…
Each year, 75-year-old Yuan eagerly looks forward to a few hours of calm: a serene riverboat cruise along the River Thames, organised by Crossroads Care Richmond and Kingston. For carers like Yuan, who supports his son Richard full-time, outings like these are more than just a change of scenery. They are a vital source of respite, offering both emotional renewal and a chance to connect with others who understand the challenges of caring.
‘It’s one of the few times I get to truly relax,’ says Yuan. ‘The trip brings us together with people who understand what it’s like to care for someone, and that makes all the difference.’
Yuan’s life was turned upside down in 2020 when his son, Richard, now 48, suffered a cardiac arrest. Once a high-flying banker and keen sportsman, who had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Richard spent months in a coma, and doctors were uncertain if he would survive. As Yuan grappled with his son’s condition, further heartbreak followed. Richard’s mother died unexpectedly, deepening the emotional strain and leaving Yuan to face the challenges of caring alone.
Richard was left with a brain injury, balance and mobility problems, as well as challenges with speech and language. After eleven months in hospital and intensive neurorehabilitation, he returned home and Yuan has cared for him around the clock ever since — managing daily physiotherapy, supporting his son’s emotional needs, and navigating a dramatically altered life.
Despite the relentless demands of caring, Yuan remains quietly resilient. ‘He never lets Richard see the strain,’ says Nicola Wilson, Operations Manager at Crossroads Care. ‘He is always putting Richard’s needs first, but we also know how essential it is for him to take regular, meaningful breaks.’
That’s where Crossroads Care steps in. The charity offers weekly respite care, giving carers like Yuan time to rest or recharge. Their river cruises are more than a treat — they are thoughtfully designed opportunities for carers to momentarily step away from their responsibilities, and experience genuine relaxation.
And the support doesn’t end there. Yuan also participates in the Men Who Care project, a group offering friendship and access to practical advice from Crossroads’ specialist staff.
‘Before Crossroads, I felt extremely isolated,’ Yuan says. ‘Now I’m part of a community where people truly understand what caring means.’
