Charity provides Cross-mas cheer for carers

Crossroads Care Rotherham opened the doors of its headquarters at Bradmarsh to welcome carers and those they look after to get into the Christmas spirit with a gift from Santa, take to the dancefloor to enjoy the seasonal tunes and tuck into a festive buffet spread.

Chief executive Kate Davis said the event offered “much-needed respite particularly in times when people are lonely”, adding: “The cost of living crisis is having a massive impact, so for us to be able to host an event where people don’t have to heat their own home for a few hours is really important — some carers are having to choose between heating and buying presents for people.

“Many of us take for granted that people have families or others around to support them so it is important for us to be able to put something on like this for that social element.”

Claire Coughlan, from Kimberworth, looks after her stepdad John Bramall along with juggling jobs at Royal Mail and an estate agents, who she credits as being very flexible to help her with her caring duties.

The 53-year-old, who started taking John to Crossroads events after her mother died two-and-a-half years ago, said: “It’s everything. It makes all the difference.

“We try and come once a week on a Wednesday and it’s great, not just for John but for me as well.

“You can talk to other carers and it becomes one nice big social event.

“It’s really nice — after so long everybody becomes friends and you share stories.

“Some people’s stories can be humbling as they might be a lot sadder than yours, but also you might be able to help someone just though talking to them and giving them your advice.”

Eighty-six-year-old John, who also lives in Kimberworth, suffers from dementia and doesn’t have children of his own, so Claire and her two brothers look after him.

“John enjoys the events,” said Claire.

“Yesterday he was sat at home feeling a bit fed up and I reminded him we were coming here today for the Christmas party and that made him smile as he knew he would get out of the house, see people and mix with friends.

“His social life is so important for him not to become isolated.”

The Christmas party was the first event Yvonne Scott (83) had been to since October after her husband John Scott (85) came out of hospital, although she said she was “lucky” as she has carers that also help look after John now he is bed-ridden at home.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful,” she said of the event. “You don’t realise how much you miss it.”

Seeing other people and socialising had made her a “very happy bunny”, she said, adding: “It just lifts you up.”

Rotherham Round Table provided all of the buffet food and presents for guests at the event with a £980 grant.

Community service officer Phil O’Brien said: “Crossroads is a fantastic cause and we’re really pleased and very privileged to be able to support the event.

“Carers are unsung heroes in the community.

“Events like this are a space where they can share stories, seek solace and realise they are not on their own.”

Cllr David Roche, chair of the council’s health and wellbeing board, also attended the party.

He said: “Crossroads is a fantastic organisation — it’s wonderful the work they do.”

David Sambrook has been a care support worker with the charity for nearly 25 years and dressed as Santa on his day off for the event.

“I still love the job, and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said.

“I like the people. It’s good to meet different people and put a smile on their face.

“Crossroads’ work is enabling people to carry on being independent. There’s no organisation like us out there, as an employer or a service provider.”