Reading Crossroads provides respite for carers of all ages, so that carers can take a break

To ensure that carers are able to take a break from their caring roles, enabling them to have time to themselves. Reading Crossroads provides trained carer support workers to look after the person they normally care for whilst they are away from the home. We pride ourselves on continuity of care so try and provide the same care worker for each visit. Our services are provided within carers homes and also in social day care settings.

Why the community needs this charity

We provide well deserved breaks for carers. This enables them to be able to continue with their caring role, enabling the person they care for to remain at work longer without them having to be admitted to hospital or residential care. Our services benifits carers, the people they care for, their families and for those who are still working their employers. As a specialist carers respite charity our staff are trained in the needs of carers and the people they care for.

Results and outcomes

For surveys we have done we have found that carers are much more positive about their caring roles when they have been able to have a break to re-charge their batteries. By providing a flexible service we are able to provide carers with break as and when they need them, or on a regular basis if that is what they want. We are currently providing an average of 700 hours of carer respite per week, but are more than aware from our caseload that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Latest activities and projects

Richard Lownsbrough runs the Reading Half Marathon

Richard will again be running the Reading Half Marathon to raise much needed funds for carers in Reading, so that they can have much needed breaks from their caring roles. Carers are very important people who look after sick or disabled relatives at home. Many have had to give up working as they are caring for much of the day. Many do this with little support and it is Reading Crossroads aim to support as many carers as we can to have a break. read more