In 1973, a popular television soap opera called ‘Crossroads’ featured a storyline in which a leading character was paralysed following a car accident. His mother had to care for him at home.

Noel Crane, a local man from Rugby who was being cared for by his mother, saw the programme and wrote to the producers to compliment them on their portrayal of the needs of a person with a disability. The producers then took him on as an adviser on disability issues.

After he shared his concerns about the lack of support for people like his mother, ATV, the programme makers, donated £10,000 to set up a pilot project in Rugby with the aim of helping Carers in a practical way to relieve the stress many of them experience.

This was a major innovation at a time when the word ‘Carer’ was not even recognised.

The Aylesbury and District branch of Crossroads was registered as a charity on the 31st of January 2002.

Our Aims

• To relieve stress in families and carers who are looking after a friend, relative or partner who due to illness, age or disability cannot manage without help and in some cases people living alone.
• To avoid admission to hospital or residential care if a problem should occur in the household.
• To supplement and complement, not to replace existing statutory services and work closely with them.

Our Services

We provide respite care for adults and children in their own home. We carry out all tasks normally performed by carers, including all aspects of personal care.

These duties are varied as can be seen from the following examples:

The Carer Support Workers receive thorough training to ensure expertise in caring for the dependant child or adult. Specialist training is also given to provide for any individual needs required by a client.

Crossroads strives to be an Equal Opportunities Organisation.

Funding

Crossroads is a non-profit making organisation. Our Carer Support Workers are trained employed, insured and paid by us. We provide approved care which can be requested by Social Services, the Health Authority and other Voluntary Organisations. Private care is also available at a reasonable cost.

Aylesbury and District Crossroads registered charity number 1090361.