Anglia Television (ATV) produced a popular soap opera in the 1970’s called “Crossroads”. In 1972 one of the characters in the programme was left paralysed in a car accident. A viewer, Noel Crane, who was himself severely disabled, contacted the programme’s producer to query some of the details of their portrayal of the disability. As a result of this contact, a further character, with a permanent disability similar to Noel Crane’s was introduced into the programme and the problems he and his family encountered were modelled on those of Noel Crane.

 

At one point in the story, a leading character, Meg Richardson, started a fund to pay for nursing care to relieve the families of disabled people. Subsequently, in May 1974, ATV donated £10,000 to set up a real scheme in the town of Rugby to provide such care. Because the TV series had highlighted so accurately the needs of disabled people and their families, the organisers of this pilot scheme could think of no more appropriate name than “Crossroads”. Since that time Crossroads schemes have spread rapidly to other towns throughout the United Kingdom.

 

Rebranding 2009

In August 2009 our name became Crossroads Care Uttlesford.

We are a member of the Crossroads Care Association.

 

Crossroads is now called Crossroads Care, a simple change that points to what they do so well. More carers turn to Crossroads Care than to any other social care provider.

 

Crossroads Care is Britain’s leading provider of support for carers, with 35 years experience and consistently high service quality ratings. They employ 5,500 staff who support more than 35,000 carers and those they care for. They provide the all important short breaks but also practical and emotional support for all those affected by a care need.

 

There are some 7 million people in Britain who care for others. Many of these reach a turning point, a crossroads, at which they feel they need help ...where they may simply need a break or more regular support.This is what Crossroads Care does. We are a national network of local charities employing over 5,000 trained professionals. We provide flexible services to people of all ages and with a range of disabilities and health conditions.

 

As a charity, we care for people not for profit. No-one cares more than Crossroads Care, not just in the scale of what we do or the 35 years experience that we have, but in the way we define care. Crossroads Care Support Staff are not here today and gone tomorrow. They love their work, and their training and long experience means they understand what carers, and those they care for, need and feel.

 

They know the simple things that really matter, they do the hard jobs with a smile and they take pleasure in fitting into family life. It's no surprise then that Crossroads Care staff build long and trusted relationships and that more carers and people with care needs turn to Crossroads Care for support than to any other social care provider.