Our next available training session will be held on Monday March 12^th from 10am until 2pm with a light lunch being provided. The session is completely FREE and we currently have 6 spaces available. If you would like to find out more or to book a place, please do not hesitate to call on 01462 455578 and ask for either Jo Wilkinson or Michael Carter, or if you wish to email, the address is mcarter@hertfordshirecrossroads-north.org.uk.

In Partnership with Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North, the Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living will be running four simultaneous 8 week programmes in which the Carer and the person that is cared for can get involved in activities including a combination of T’ai Chi with Alexander Technique and gentle movement, Gentle Yoga and Singing for Pleasure. The approaches used are known for their health benefits and their calming and de-stressing effects and are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. 

The courses run on Fridays from 2pm until 3pm with refreshments available from 3pm until 3.30pm and spaces are still available. The cost of the 8 week programme is £20 and will be held at The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living. 

If you would like more information on these activities please contact Jaqui Derrick on 01462 678804.

The successful bid will deliver a programme called ‘Getting Carers Connected’.  The purpose is to empower carers and provide them with the skills to use IT confidently.  They will be shown how to access services, shop online, keep in touch with people using email or through social networking sites – helping them to alleviate their social isolation and stress and enabling them to be more independent. 

The training will be carried out by a team of volunteers specially recruited to support the programme.  If you are a motivated person with IT skills and have some time to volunteer for this programme then please get in touch.  Call us on 01462 455578 or alternatively email info@hertfordshirecrossroads-north.org.uk  

The programme will be rolled out next summer – look out for more information nearer the time.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a charity renowned for its excellent services and professional care.

Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North currently cares for over 500 carers in the towns and villages of Hertfordshire with our primary aim to give carers a break.

If you can offer a minimum of 16 flexible hours a week, are reliable, committed, enthusiastic, and want to help make a difference for vulnerable and disabled people in your community then we would love to hear from you.

To find out more or to get an application pack please call our office on 01462 455578

We have set up a new group on Monday afternoons from 2pm until 4pm at the Stevenage Day Centre designed for Carers to come along and share their experiences with people in a similar situation. A trained counsellor facilitates the sessions and is  on hand to talk to you individually.

The feedback we have received is really positive with one lady saying ‘this is the first time i have been able to talk to others about my husband and it has been a good experience’.

If you feel this group may benefit you, please do not hesitate to come along to the Stevenage Day Centre at 1a Broad Oak Way, Roebuck – on a Monday afternoon. 

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01462 455578

Carer Support Worker, David Sapstead represented the charity at the Gala event and was interviewed about his work by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter David Croft who was the compere on the evening.  Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE was the guest speaker at the event which included a charity auction with prizes including signed rowing memorabilia.

In the photograph – David Sapstead and his partner, Sam,  with Chris Chambers, Care Manager and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter David Croft.

A full album of photos from the event can be found on our Facebook page – follow the link on the front page of our website.

As the leading provider of support for carers and the people they care for in Hertfordshire we pride ourselves in the level of individual care and emotional support that we provide to our clients.  Our Carer Support Workers are recruited specifically with this in mind and essential criteria at the selection process include flexibility and willingness to perform a range of different tasks in consultation with the carer and cared for and above all an ability to relate sympathetically with them.

We run a comprehensive Induction and training programme both for new recruits and our team of Carer Support Workers.  Our newly appointed Carer Support Workers attend a comprehensive 5 day Induction and undertake shadowing with other experienced members of staff before delivering care alone.  They are then given regular updates to mandatory training as well as being supervised and appraised as frequently as necessary.  They are spot checked to ensure we are providing the highest quality service which our reputation boasts. We believe that dignity of the individual and person centre care are key to our success. 

As a rapidly growing organisation in the not for profit social care sector we have a need and priority to continually enhance our skill set and raise awareness in the care of clients with specific conditions such as dementia.  In this respect we have recently successfully bid for funds to further train all staff in skills and awareness for dealing with early onset dementia and dementia in older age.  Other specialist training is also provided depending on clients’ specific needs.  These may include training around Autism, End of Life care or specialist tasks such as peg feeding or stoma care.

Feedback from our clients is also an integral part of what we do and we actively seek this not only through an annual survey but through spot checks and follow ups, encouraging feedback so that we can continually improve our services.

Any review to improve what appears to be neglect of the elderly is welcomed but we continue to pride ourselves in the total package and level of care and support that we provide as testified by the many case studies and compliments that we regularly receive as an organisation

Our Chief Executive, Sheelagh Taylor said “This donation is brilliant as it is becoming increasingly hard for us to offer such specialist training, for example stroke care and Parkinson’s care. We will establish a training  bursary to support the development of new and existing care staff, which should reduce our waiting list.”

 Above from left to right: Sheelagh Taylor, Sherman Batson and Bruce Goulding with some of our carers in the background

Community boost from Veolia Water: http://www.veoliawater.co.uk/media/news-releases/2011-11-15,30618.htm