Crossroads Care Kent knows what a great job Carers do, often under very difficult circumstances. We offer supportive services for carers and the people they care for. Giving carers a regular planned respite break can prevent carer breakdown and stop a family entering a crisis situation. Carers can have access to a specialist counselling service which allows them a safe therapeutic space to talk about their feelings.
Nationally, Macmillan Cancer Support offers an enormous range of services to people affected by cancer and their support networks. This support can be clinical, financial, emotional, wellbeing or information and guidance.
Locally, Macmillan & Crossroads provide a fantastic Volunteer Service to help and support people affected by cancer and their carers. Volunteers offer Practical, emotional and companionship support to help people live as well as possible with cancer.
In addition, the service provides information and guidance around what other local organisations or support services could be beneficial to the person in need.
Without our service, some people may not be able to attend hospital appointments or have anyone to talk to about what is going on, leaving them to face cancer alone. We strive to ensure people affected by cancer and their carers are supported from point of diagnosis.
Macmillan Crossroads Care Kent & Medway Volunteer Service provide a helpful assessment process to identify the needs of people affected by cancer and their carers, and look for the right support to help them in the best way possible. Following this, a volunteer is carefully selected to support with different tasks such as companionship, practical or emotional support.
Practical support includes helping out around the home or garden, getting a bit of shopping. Volunteers often accompany people to their treatment appointments reducing their anxiety on how to get there along with companionship whilst waiting.
Emotional support is where people affected by cancer have the chance to talk to someone who offers an empathetic and kind ear.
Companionship is a wonderful chance to truly be there for someone in a genuine and companionable way. All three areas of support reduce loneliness and social isolation of individuals affected by cancer and their carers.
