About Us
Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers is a registered charity providing support to carers and the people they care for. We provide a wide range of services offering practical help to carers in their own homes, information, advice and support with accessing services.
We aim to provide high quality, timely, flexible services which respond to the individual need of carers and the people they care for, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
We provide our services throughout the Borough of Gateshead. Gateshead covers an area of 55 square miles. It has a population of 200,000 of which there are an estimated 25,000 carers!
We are an independent, incorporated charity and company limited by guarantee. We were established 1990 and have years of experience in developing and delivering quality services to carers and people with care needs.
Crossroads Caring for Carers Association
Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers is a member of the Association of Crossroads Caring for Carers who have 30 years of experience in providing service to carers.
There are over 200 member schemes providing services to carers throughout the United Kingdom and Wales. To find a scheme in your area click here.
Domiciliary Care National Minimum Standards
In addition to our own Quality Standards programme CROQUET, Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers also adhere to the National Minimum Standards for Domiciliary Care produced by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
The Standards form the criteria by which the Commission will determine whether agency provides personal care to the required standard. The purpose of these minimum standards is to ensure the quality of personal care and support which people receive whilst living in the own home in the community.
Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers have been registered as a Domiciliary Care Agency under the Care Standards Act 2000 since 23rd March 2004 and were inspected by the Commission for Social Care Inspection in February and November 2005. Click to view the inspection reports.
PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance Systems for Small Organisations) is a straightforward quality assurance system, which helps organisations run effectively and efficiently. It is designed particularly for small to medium sized voluntary organisations and is presently being implemented throughout the voluntary sector in Gateshead.
We use a quality assurance system called CROQUET (Crossroads Quality Evaluation Tool) which has been adapted from PQASSO specifically for Crossroads Schemes.
CROQUET covers fifteen quality areas and promoted continued improvements through self assessment and audit. It helps the organisation to identify what it is doing well and what needs to be done in order to improve.
"The Carer Support Workers are both excellent people to aid my living at home and is a valuable part of my son's ability to cope with me at home. Thank you" - Sample comment made by a carer in 2006
Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers regularly receive and record comments and compliments about our services. Each year we send a survey to all carers who have received a service from us in the preceding 12 months. The results of these questionnaires are compiled into a report summary. You can view the results of our Annual Surveys by clicking on the documents below!
Annual Survey Summary 2005/06 - Coming Soon!
As a charitable organisation there are many ways that members of the public can help us to further our goals: to help and support as many carers as possible! Download our leaflet: How You Can Support Us.
Here are some of the ways you can help:
Membership of Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers gives you, or your organisation:
- the opportunity to vote at our Annual General Meeting
- a copy of our Annual Services Report
- information on the services we provide, including our latest developments
Membership costs £2.00 per year and you can join simply by completing the membership form. Download our Membership Form.
This could mean:
- making a personal donation.
- donating unwanted goods or gifts which we can sell or raffle to raise money at events
- getting together with your friends and work colleagues and raising money on our behalf
- you might like consider us in your will if you are thinking of making a bequest.
Don't forget - if you are making a personal money donation and you are a UK taxpayer, if you complete a gift aid form then we can claim tax back on your donation. This makes a donation of £1.00 up to £1.28! Download our Gift Aid Form.
Would you like to:
- make a positive difference to the lives of carers?
- open up opportunities for your own personal development?
- use your valuable skills in a rewarding way if you are retired or out of work?
We need people:
- With experience in fundraising, business practice, human resources, financial management, public relations and marketing
- We especially welcome carer representation, so if you have experience of caring and would like to help, please contact us!
- We positively welcome and encourage applications from ethnic minorities.
For more information download our Trustee Information Pack.
Volunteers are very important to Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers. They help in many ways, including:
- Assisting with office administration, such as typing, photocopying and compiling information packs
- Helping us to raise funds for the organisation.
- Many volunteers are carers themselves. Sometimes volunteers/ carers can get involved on planning/training groups to help inform and develop carer services within Gateshead.
- We are often approached by the local media who want to speak to carers about specific issues.
- We may also need the support of volunteers/carers when exploring ideas for new developments.
For more information, contact us or visit Job Opportunities/Voluntary Work
Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers produce a newsletter "Information Update" for carers approximately 3 times a year. You can download the last four issues of the newsletter by clicking the links below!
Download copies of our press releases!
- 16th August 2005 Carers Mental Health Forum
- 9th June 2005 National Carers Week Events
- 14th June 2004 Stephen Fry Acts for Carers
- 11th February 2004 Government Social Care Recruitment Campaign
Job Opportunities/Voluntary Work
. Visit our HOME PAGE for more information.