Crossroads Caring for Carers is Worcestershire’s leading charity offering practical support for family-based carers and people with care needs. Crossroads are entrusted to support people at their chosen times when they need care and support to enable them to remain living safely and independently in their own homes. Relatives (some who live abroad) are reassured that Crossroads will be there when we say we will be, thereby safeguarding their loved ones.

We supply a service with added value – not only providing care for the person with care needs but also respite to the family-based carer(s) enabling them to spend time on themselves We are committed to improving the lives of people they support. This support can be provided alongside social care services or funded by the person themselves or their family.

Employing the right people with the right values and developing their expertise has always been important to us. We have been working with Aspiration Training to deliver apprenticeships for our team for a number of years.

When we employ care staff, we ask them if they would like to start off as an apprentice.

We currently have six (soon to be seven) apprentices. One of whom just finished her Health & Social Care Diploma and has asked to progress to a Level 3, one who’s just completed her level 3, and two new apprentices who we’ve started through the governments’ employer incentive scheme.

The care sector can be complex, and there are many variables we need to deal with as a charity on a daily basis. We really enjoy working with our Aspiration Training Vocational Coach Claire. She understands the pressures of the sector, and has made the whole process much easier.

We really value what apprenticeships bring to our team, both on a personal career development level and for our charity as a whole. We find staff that are on, or have completed an apprenticeship have improved understanding and confidence.