annual

South Thames
review
Drawings supplied by four of our competition winners from the Children’s Clubs and Young Carers Project
Chairman’s report
The last time we had an Annual Review, in 2007, we but by carers using their allocations in
were “Merton and Sutton Crossroads”. We had a whatever ways they deem best.
turnover of less than £500,000 pa and a staff of thirty.
Carers will have the power to select
Three years later the organisation is transformed –
the provider they want and the type of
turnover is nearly £2m and staff number almost a
help that suits them. We can and will fit
hundred. Then we covered the boroughs of Merton
into the pattern; our future lies in providing flexible,
and Sutton – now we also reach out to people in
user friendly, variable services at a competitive price.
Wandsworth and Lambeth and further afield.
The elephant in the room, of course, is the present
Behind this dramatic growth lies a tremendous
economic/financial crisis and its impact on funding.
drive, impetus and a lot of hard work – the merger
We are already seeing the dreaded cuts – the next
with Lambeth Crossroads in November 2009
three years will be extremely challenging and that is
has been the catalyst but that was only possible
why our financial strength is so important. But this is
because of the cooperation and good will of all the
not just a challenge – it is also an opportunity. There
Trustees, volunteers, staff and management from
will be areas both geographical and social where
both schemes. As with all mergers there have been
our expertise and know-how will flourish.
problems and some still remain but the net benefit
to our constituency, i.e. the carers we exist to help, is The attributes of good organisation, excellent
potentially enormous. training, professionalism and an ethical dimension
will, as hitherto, give us an edge. I and all the
We are now financially a stronger organisation this
Trustees remain determined we will succeed –
enables us to offer even more services to a wider
we are backed by a formidable
public. It means we can cope with the changing
management team led by Barbara
environment – the old ways of provision, which stood
Price and by a splendid workforce of
us in good stead for many years, are not appropriate
care support workers. Our thanks are
for the modern era. Many of our clients will have their
due to them all.
own individual budgets; services will no longer be
purchased in bulk by Social Services Departments John Mays

From the Chief Executive

In providing our services we want to make a real
difference to the lives of the carers and those they
care for. Our aim is to provide them with a quality
service which gives them a service they value, one
they can trust, that provides value for money and that
goes that little bit further in supporting them in their
caring role. I trust as you read our annual review you
get a sense of what it means to be a carer and how it
can affect someone’s life whether they are the main
carer or part of the family. I believe that the stories
about our carers clearly demonstrate how our various
services have helped and supported all concerned. I
would like to thank the carers concerned for allowing
us to share their details with you.
I must also thank all the staff and
volunteers in both Lambeth and
Merton for their support over the
last year and the funders who
continue to support us.
It is perhaps inevitable in this
current environment that we will
lose services. I am sorry that we
will be shortly losing our Carers
Emergency Response Care Service
in Merton due to lack of funding
despite it being held up by the government as a
beacon of good practice. We are also waiting to hear
the outcome of a funding bid which will determine
the future of our Volunteer Mentoring Project.
With our merger and the changes happening in
Social Care and the Health Service both through
financial restraints and future developments I think
we now face a changing future. The merger will bring
about changes in the organisation as we rationalise
our services across the boroughs. Changes in
funding and the expectations of our clients will also
bring about major changes in the way we work as
we move away from our more traditional methods to
enable carers and those they care for to have more
control over services and staff.
However there will also be opportunities for us as
well. Our most important task is to ensure that the
services we continue to provide and develop meet
the needs of carers and those they care for and that
we continue to champion for vital services on their
behalf. I believe that this is an exciting time in the
development of the organisation and look forward to
taking us forward into the next year.
Barbara Price
Our services
A recent survey from Carers
UK found that 78% of carers
in London do not feel they
have a life outside of their
caring role and 76% have been
forced to give up their social
life since becoming a carer. Our
respite services have been providing
services in Merton and Lambeth for
23 years and offer carers a chance to have a
life of their own and time for themselves by taking over
the caring duties for a period of time.

Since our merger in November 2009, we are now operational in five South
London Boroughs: Merton, Sutton, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Southwark.
Our service users are from all social and ethnic backgrounds with a variety
of needs. We offer a service to children with disabilities, older people with
care needs, adults with disabilities, physical illnesses and mental health
needs and adults and older people with dementia. We have also this year
provided a Peer Support Mentoring project for carers, a Carers Emergency
Respite Care Project in Merton, a Young Carers Project in Lambeth, a range
of children’s clubs in Merton for children with additional needs and from
December 2009 a Carers’ Hub in Lambeth. We continue to work closely
with our partners from the statutory and voluntary sector within the
above boroughs, and this year have participated in the
development of a number of strategies relating to the
provision of services. Specifically in Merton this year
we completed our research project on the provision
of flexible respite care services in the Borough and
this supported the development of the Borough’s
Commissioning Strategy.

In this annual report, we have compiled a summary of

all our services along with case studies to illustrate the
positive impact of the valuable work we do.

www.souththamescrossroads.org
 Case Study Adult services
Adult services Mrs M has been caring full time for the last seven years since she
retired and found her caring role had got to the point where it
Adults services this year have
was too much. She needed home-based respite, and this was
been provided across five something we at Crossroads could offer her.
boroughs. Although the bulk of
Mrs M’s mother is elderly and frail with limited mobility, and in
our work remains in Lambeth
need of personal care. Through the provision of our respite care
and Merton we were pleased
services Mrs. M and her mother were introduced to one of our
to secure a contract with NHS care support workers who now visit regularly. Mrs M and her
Wandsworth for the provision mother have found that the respite care provided has given Mrs M
of respite care services for the opportunity to visit Art Galleries and to go to exhibitions, as
the carers of adults with long well as simply have a rest and a well earned break from her caring
term or specific health needs. role. It has also provided stimulation for her mother and given her
This particular work is being someone else to converse and socialise with besides her daughter.
monitored by The Faculty of
Health and Social Care Sciences
Kingston University & St George’s University of London and we look forward to their report
which we are confident will clearly demonstrate the benefits of this home-based short break
provision. We are so much more than a sitting service and our Care Support Workers during
the year have provided 50,284 hours of care (including the children’s service) giving the carer
a much needed break. The range of tasks that the Care Support Workers have undertaken
include taking people out, assisting with personal care, moving and handling, talking and
listening to the carer and cared for, giving medication, assisting with showering/bathing,
catheter/tracheotomy/stoma care, reviving interest in or encouraging participation in hobbies,
signposting to other services, assisting with physiotherapy exercises and end-of-life care. This
list is not exhaustive.

Young carers
We run a Young Carers Project in Lambeth for any young person aged 5 to 18 who is caring
for or helping to care for someone in their family with a disability or long-term illness. Within
this project, there are many services such as Activity and Residential Schemes which provide
young people a break from their caring role, new experiences, a chance to socialise with
friends and the opportunity to be in the ‘usual’ childhood environment, giving the child a
chance to be a child.

There are twice weekly homework clubs in three areas of the Borough to help fill
educational gaps and provide a space for young carers to complete homework and
coursework. Youth clubs once a month, in three locations also enable young carers
to make friends, enjoy activities and gain peer support. School
support in four schools (fortnightly) also enable young
carers to meet in a confidential environment for any
support needed as young carers or address any
educational needs ‘at source’. Additionally,
there is family and one to one support
and an on-call service for out of hours
advice and assistance.

This year, we have maintained these services

to an excellent standard. Charitable grants
from the Mercers and Walcott Foundation
have enabled us to provide even
more support and development of
all services. We were able to run a
week-long scheme in partnership with
the L’Ouverture Art Project involving
drama, singing and dance which
provided the young carers with another
opportunity to express themselves and
explore new experiences.
 Case Study Children’s clubs
Children’s services Mrs F cares for her daughter who has learning
disabilities. Her daughter attends our children’s
We have over the year provided both
clubs. Mrs F has recently become a single parent and
a home based short break service to has found it increasingly difficult to look after her
children and young adults and also a daughter by herself as her daughter has high needs
range of children’s clubs within the and needs constant support. Crossroads were able
Merton area. Funding for our Saturday to support her during this time by providing extra
Clubs has in the past always been a support /respite after school in our new After School
challenge and been secured on an annual Club. Mrs F has been a victim of domestic abuse and
the additional time and space enabled her to access a
basis. We are so pleased that this year
counsellor. She was able to leave her daughter with us
we were able to secure 3 year funding knowing that her daughter is in a familiar place with
for the clubs from both Children in Need staff that know her very well.
and the London Borough of Merton
We have also been able to provide a Care Support
which has put the clubs on a
Worker attending a wedding with the family to give
much more secure footing. extra support so that both Mrs F and her daughter
Our partnership work could enjoy spending time with other guests helping
in providing these them to relax and have fun socialising.
clubs with the
Cricket Green School
in Mitcham has gone from strength to strength and
we are most grateful for all of their help and support.
Both of our Saturday Clubs are now situated within
the ‘Academy’ at the school and whilst we were sorry
to move from the Polka Theatre venue where we have
been for a number of years we appreciate the space
both internally and externally at the school that the move
has provided. Over the last couple of years we have worked
closely with the London Borough of Merton on the development of
an After School Club for children with additional needs and we are particularly
pleased that this year we were able to secure funding from Merton for this
much needed service again running at the Cricket Green School. All of
these clubs provide carers with additional respite and the children with the
opportunity to express themselves, build their confidence and make friends.

Our home-based short breaks service for children continues in both Merton and Lambeth and
this year we secured a tender for this provision within the London Borough of Sutton. Taking on
the service within Sutton was a challenge as so many parents wished to take advantage of our
provision but this has now settled down and continues to develop. In Lambeth we are currently
working closely with the children’s services to develop a new way of working which will provide
parents, children and young people with more control and involvement in the provision of the
service and the outcomes.

Case Study Young Carers Project
Six years ago The Young Carers Project (YCP) began to
support a family of three children who cared for their
mother Mrs L who has Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid
Arthritis. For Mrs L this meant mobility was very limited
and every aspect of family life was affected including
Mrs L’s personal care, practical household tasks and
taking the children to school.
For the children this meant they worked together
to support their mother on a daily basis to keep the
household running. This was a full time job for the
whole family, which left limited time for socialising with
friends or anything else.
Since registration the children have juggled family life
to be able to participate in all Young Carers Services.
The YCP has become an integral part of their lives.
The children use all the activities as a means of respite,
socialising, making and maintaining friendships and
trying new experiences. They have used residential
holidays as a means to ‘take that bit longer break.’
All three have used homework club as a ‘space’ to do
homework away from ‘a busy family life.’ Homework
Club has also supported them with their educational
needs with one child having been supported to
obtain a Statement of Educational Needs which will
provide them with more help at school. The service
is continuing to support the family to resolve their
ongoing housing issues.
Mrs L says: “The Young Carers Project has enabled
my children to have freedom away from their
caring responsibilities. I have watched them grow in
independence over the years and they have gained
friendships from children going through the same or
similar experiences.”

www.souththamescrossroads.org
 Case Study Carers’ Hub
Carers’ Hub Lambeth Mrs R is a carer in Lambeth who was referred
to the Hub Services for benefits advice. She
Carers’ Hub Lambeth is a new service which started
has two sons both of whom have learning
in December. We are the lead partner in a consortium disabilities. She has been caring for them
which includes Disability Advice Service Lambeth for a long time and has very little help. The
(DASL) and Age Concern Lambeth. We will all be Hub’s advice team have successfully helped
providing aspects of the Hub’s services. The aim Mrs R with a Home Grant for a computer, a
of The Hub is to be a ‘one-stop’ to connect carers Family Fund grant of £400, a community
to relevant services in Lambeth through our carers grant, her disability allowance, a £200 carers’
break and much more. Mrs R stated that “I
network. Since December, as a consortium we have
wouldn’t be receiving any of the benefits and
developed the Carers’ Enquiry Line, sent out three help I receive without the help of the Hub.”
editions of the Carers Newsletter and held two
well-attended Carers Forums. We also held a number
of events around the borough in Carers Week the most successful of which was our Carers’
Pamper Day held at Woodlawns in Streatham. Over 100 carers attended and were not only
entertained with music and dancing but were enabled to participate in some much appreciated
therapy including massages, manicures and health checks.

Mentoring Project
The Volunteer Mentoring Project, which provides practical and emotional
support to both carers and former carers, has now been running for just over
three years. During this time the project has expanded its delivery and focus
and now deals with some of the more complex cases, which other agencies and
organisations have found difficult to support and help. The service operates
within four London boroughs and includes a befriending service too.

We are particularly pleased and proud of the awards that the project has gained
within this relatively short period of time. The awards include The Investing in Volunteers
Award in February 2009 and The Approved Provider Status from the Mentoring & Befriending
Foundation in March 2009.

More recently our collaboration with The Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences Kingston
University & St George’s University of London, who have been responsible for the monitoring
and evaluation of our project, was recognised
and acclaimed, when we were invited to
Case Study Mentoring project present a workshop on the Project at the
Through my role as a mentor, I met K in March 2010 5th International Carers Conference in Leeds
and she appeared to be in need of a lot of support and earlier this year. We feel honoured that
someone who would understand her situation. our project was included in this extremely
K’s husband P has a brain tumour and was operated prestigious event.
on last year. The terminal tumour has left him unable
Finally we would like to say “Thank You” to
to get out of bed and with residual communication
problems. our volunteers. We are constantly amazed
at their unselfish devotion to helping carers
At first K found some relief from her situation by
in need, and their enthusiasm for the project
continuing to work full time but as P’s condition
worsened she found it harder to leave him. She has is simply inspiring. Recently three of
round-the-clock care provided by the PCT end-of-life our volunteers received their
team, which has helped but she still felt very guilty Longstanding and Exceptional
going to work. I advised K that some time off from Service awards from the
working would be very beneficial for her; she only took Deputy Mayor of Merton.
a week off but appeared to look and feel a lot better Congratulations to Miriam
for it. She came to an agreement with her employer to
Cantor, Chrissy Lowman
work some of the time from home which has eased her
and Pat Markey
situation.
(pictured). We are, at
K is finding it increasingly difficult to come to terms the time of going to
with her husband’s illness so I am glad that I can help
press, awaiting the
her through this very sad and difficult time. She has
said that I have been really very helpful, supportive, results of a bid to the
understanding and caring and she looks forward to my Big Lottery for future
weekly visits. funding.
 2%
3%

Research – Respite Care 6%

9%
This year saw the completion of our research around the needs of
carers in Merton for flexible short breaks services. The research was
43%
commissioned by the Merton Carers Strategic Partnership and funded
by Awards for All and the London Borough of Merton. A Survey in 2007 16%
for Merton Carers Strategic Partnership showed that carers want flexible
short breaks/respite. This current research identified the variety of
5%
“flexible short breaks” carers want. In the main carers wanted: 16%
• support services, and support workers that they know and trust
• short breaks which are tailored to their individual needs
• quality care for those they care for in their absence Holidays ranging from a few
• the choice of having a break with the person they care for days away to over 3 weeks
• to know help is available and how they can access it Weekend
The report went on to outline some of the innovative projects that are Overnight break
happening around the country that could be replicated in Merton. The
Daytime break
research has been fed back to the strategic partnership and we hope will
Evening break
be used to inform future commissioning strategies.
Half-day a week
It is not possible to replicate the full findings of the report in this annual
Time when I need it
review but copies of it are available from our offices in Merton.
Anything would be welcomed
We are very grateful to the carers who participated in the research and
thank them for their time and effort. We must also thank our volunteer
carers who also gave their time freely to support us in this work.

Facts and figures Expenditure

Young Carers: £64,409

Income Children’s Clubs:
Respite and
£63,263
Volunteers Mentoring Palliative Care
Services
Project: £44,884
£803,244
Emergency Response
Transferred Service: £33,670
Merger Children’s Services:
Borough Funds £32,000
Councils £364,538 Short Breaks Provision
£794,146 Research: £6,825
Grants Governance costs: £6,513
£142,792 Fundraising costs: £1,585

Private/Service Income: £48,329

Donations/Events: £44,370
PCTs: £22,952
Parental Contributions: £6,598
Other Income: £917

These figures do not form part of our audited accounts.

For a copy of the audited accounts please contact the Registered Office.

www.souththamescrossroads.org
With thanks to…
Firstly we thank our funders who make our work possible and also our
clients and those they care for, for continuing to access our services
and for recommending us to others. We thank our members and those
who have made generous donations, especially the young carers but
also the Harris Trust, Christ Church Wimbledon and the Wimbledon
Park Golf Club. We also thank Volunteering England, The Clothworkers
Foundation, Lambeth Endowed Charities, Mrs Smith & Mount Trust,
The Leathersellers and The City Bridge Trust for their generous
grants. Finally we thank our staff and volunteers who have
contributed this year to maintaining and improving our
excellent services.

“Crossroads
staff go above
and beyond what I
expected and we are
both always pleased
to see our
workers”

The
support Mrs
H receives gives
her peace of mind,
knowing that her
husband is safe
and well cared
for
Other funders

Registered office:
The Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 3UD
T: 020 8648 9677 F: 020 8687 1846 E: admin@souththamescrossroads.org
www.justgiving.com/souththamescrossroads
Registered Charity No. 1027026
Company No. 2742445
South Thames