Crossroads and you….

You’d be surprised how many people across Liverpool, Sefton and Warrington help care for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail or in some way disabled.

You may be one of them.

There are tens of thousands of Carers, some as young as eight and others as old as 80!

Most don't see themselves as Carers. They see it as their responsibility, and willingly do what needs to be done out of love and compassion. They seldom give their efforts a second thought.

Sounds familiar?

Caring' may only be doing a weekly shop or cooking an occasional meal. It may be a great deal more. The fact is that one in three people involved in looking after someone special spend more than 20 hours a week in that role. For one in seven, it's more than 50 hours each week. For many others, it can be as much as 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Which of those applies to you?

However much we want to do our best for others, and however willing we are to put in the effort, looking after other people - either in our own home or elsewhere - can be time-consuming and stressful. It can affect our own health, disrupt our family life and even make it difficult to hold down a job.

• 65% of Carers say their health has been affected by what they do for others
• 33% have not had a break from their caring responsibilities in the last two years
• 20% of Carers are in full or part time employment

What's more, in the UK there are estimated to be at least 175,000 Young Carers aged under 18 who have caring responsibilities. Some are as young as 8.

Do you recognise yourself, or someone you know?

As a Carer, you may be entitled to help and support - Crossroads Caring for Carers can provide it.

Crossroads offers information, recognition for what you do, and support to help you do it.

Perhaps most importantly, Crossroads offers the opportunity for a regular break from your caring responsibilities - time to be yourself, time to rest, time to catch up with family and friends, with total peace of mind knowing that the care is being continued by committed, dedicated and fully-trained carer support workers.

The Crossroads Caring for Carers team can make a real difference.

"I was almost at the end of my tether. I've been caring for my mother-in-law for over twenty years and my husband and I are in our 70s. Her illness was getting worse, which meant I had to be there 24 hours a day. Thankfully, the district nurse contacted Crossroads. The Carer Support Worker was allocated straight away - the support was invaluable and was exactly what we needed. I was able to have a few hours for myself each week to take a bath and to sleep."

• Discover how Crossroads Caring for Carers has been able to make a difference to people like you
• Visit Our services for details of the full range of Crossroads Caring for Carers services in Liverpool, Sefton and Warrington.
• Are you a Young Carer? There 's a link to My Life Club website which is specially for you. Find out how Crossroads Caring for Carers can help.

Facts about Carers.

• There are 6.8 million Carers in the UK
• 300,000 people each year become Carers
• One in ten people are Carers
• There are over 175,000 Young Carers in the UK (aged under 18) who have caring responsibilities
• Over two million Carers care for more than 20 hours a week
• One and a quarter million people care for more than 50 hours a week.
• One in three people will become a Carer at some time in their lives

5 De Havilland Drive, Estuary Business Park, Liverpool L24 8RN . Tel: 0845 051 1970 . Fax: 0151 222 0060
Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in England and Wales No: 3334237. Registered Charity No: 1065434. CSI Registration No: F020000694

The content of this website can be provided on audio cassette and in large print format. The information can also be provided in other languages, or in Braille. Please contact Crossroads Caring for Carers team for more details.