By David Annand – Crossroads Care Surrey’s Corporate & Community Relationship Officer
Starring
The Unpaid Carer
Carol, mother to Chris
The Cared-For
Chris, Carol’s 33 year old son
The Care Support Worker
Andy, who supports Carol by spending time with Chris.
Chris was born at 36 weeks and has had problems since birth. He has Hydrocephalus (water on the brain), Epilepsy, Diabetes, optic nerve damage and has learning difficulties too. Chris enjoys looking at magazines and watching television. His favourite programmes are Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Eastenders and Saturday night takeaway with Ant & Dec. At times Chris can be a handful and when he is, Andy is there to give Mum, Carol, the break from caring that she so desperately needs.
Carol comes from a supportive family. Her parents, before they both passed away, used to help look after Chris at weekends to relieve the pressure on Carol. Unfortunately that’s no longer an option. Life was and is hectic for Carol. It can be a nightmare she says. So much so that she had a breakdown and continues on anti-depressants to this day.
A social worker mentioned Crossroads Care Surrey to Carol and the rest, as they say, is history. Enter, Andy.
Care support worker Andy has been supporting Carol by being a friend to Chris for the last 6 ½ years. Before joining Crossroads Care Surrey, Andy had no experience in the care sector. He worked as a car mechanic for 33 years and after being made redundant decided to try caring for 6 months. He stayed and made it his career because he found it so rewarding.
Andy’s primary objective is to ensure that Carol gets a rest from caring for Chris. Andy takes Chris out on outings. They go to different places in London and most recently got the bus to Bromley. For Chris these outings are as much about the journey as they are the destination.
Andy visits Carol four times a week to share the demands of taking care of Chris. Sharing is caring they say, and that, along with support and commitment, is what the service that Crossroads Care Surrey provides is all about according to Andy.
