Crossroads Care in the Vale

“Business as usual” as Crossroads Care merges with Princess Royal Trust

Crossroads Care and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers have announced their intention to merge.

Plans have been approved by both boards after a programme of full due diligence. Subject to remaining formal and regulatory steps, the new charity will be operational from April 2012. A name for the new organisation is yet to be chosen and a chief executive to be appointed. A public launch date will soon be announced.

The Princess Royal has agreed to be President of the new charity, a role she has held at the Trust since it was formed in 1991. The charity will have the combined strengths of both Crossroads Care and the Princess Royal Trust. Forming a new charity will provide oportunities to launch increased services and fundraising initiatives, and to reach more carers.

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Dementia bus visits the Western Vale

The Alzheimer’s Society, Cardiff and Vale, is running a six month pilot project during 2012 taking their Information and Support Bus (nicknamed ‘Primrose’) to four areas in the Western Vale of Glamorgan.

Primrose will be visiting Cowbridge, Rhoose, Llantwit Major and St Bride’s Major on one Friday every month for the next 6 months.

The aims of the project are twofold:

For people who may have concerns about their memory to get information on dementia and the referral and diagnosis processes in a safe environment.

For people who are already caring for someone to access ongoing information, support and signposting to all other support services available to them.

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Event to provide information for older people

Cardiff City Hall

‘Collaborate for Change’ is the theme of a stakeholder event to be held at City Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday 2nd February 2012, in recognition of the Older Person’s Mental Health Day.

It is hoped that the event, which will run from 10am until 4pm, will attract carers, service users, professionals and other interested parties.

There will be an opportunity to discuss developments within mental health services for older people within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and to hear the stories of carers looking after relatives with late life memory problems and confusion. Professor Tony Bayer of the Memory Team will give an overview of diagnosis and the treatment of dementia.

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Crossroads’ Carers and dependent relatives celebrate Christmas

: Having fun at the Christmas Event

Crossroads are organising a number of Christmas events during December.

CAMEO Past Carers Group enjoyed a festive lunch at the Harvester in Penarth, while carers and dependent relatives of the Western Vale Social Group will be meeting for lunch at the Lamb and Flag in Wick.

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New dementia service provides support in the Vale

: Ellin and Dawn test out the new sofa

Ty Hapus, a new centre for people with dementia has opened at 163 Holton Road, Barry.

Health professionals and other interested parties were invited to view the facilities at a launch event on 12th December, with entertainment provided by singer and guitarist Heather Jones.

Ellin Jones, the centre’s Support Services Manager and Dawn John, Branch Manager of the Alzheimer’s Society, Cardiff and Vale, were on hand to give guided tours of the impressive premises.

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Barry Men’s Forum learn about Crossroads Care services

Members of Barry Men's Forum

Members of Barry Men’s Forum invited Jo Hendry of Crossroads Care in the Vale to give a talk at their meeting on Thursday 13th October.

Jo spoke about the different forms and symptoms of dementia, and the support that Crossroads Care in the Vale provides for clients with dementia and their carers.

The Forum learned about Crossroads Care’s domiciliary care service, support and social groups, the counselling service, and day centre provision.

An explanation was also given about dementia diagnosis, medication, and the role of the Memory Team based at Llandough Hospital.

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Murch Bowling Club fundraiser for Crossroads Care

Jo receives the cheque from Cynthia

Each year members of Murch Bowling Club in Dinas Powys raise funds for local charities.

This year, Club member Merle Davies nominated Crossroads Care in the Vale as one of two charities to benefit from the fundraising, the other being the National Deaf Children’s Society. A successful fundraising event organised by the Bowling Club members raised the grand total of £700, which was divided between the two charities.

Jo Hendry of Crossroads Care in the Vale attended a presentation at the Club on 11th October, and was presented with the £350 cheque by Cynthia Tranter.

Jo thanked the group for their efforts and generosity, and explained how the funds would benefit local carers and their relatives with dementia.

The Pies the limit: Dennis shares story for local project

: Dennis outside the Clark’s Pie shop, Grangetown (photo by Adam Chard)

“I couldn’t wait to leave school and open my own Clark’s Pie shop”, says Dennis Dutch of Dinas Powys, who quit education at the age of 14 to join the family business.

Now 81, and despite being in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, Dennis is still involved in running the Grangetown business that he established in 1955, now managed by daughters Beverley and Amanda.

Started by Dennis’s grandmother, Mary Clark, at Victoria Park, the company has always been a family affair, with some of Dennis’s grandchildren now also taking an active role.

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Singing Aloud with the Welsh National Opera

: Kate Woolveridge leads the choir

Carers and their relatives with dementia took part in an exciting project during 2011.

From April to July the Welsh National Opera, in collaboration with the Cardiff and Vale branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, hosted a residency project for the group, to create a musical experience based on WNO’s production of Turandot.

Group members benefited greatly from the experience of Mezzo Soprano Kate Woolveridge, whose enthusiasm and energy added to the enjoyment of each session. The emphasis was on having fun, not perfection, so no one worried if they hit a wrong note!

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Crossroads group enjoys Cardiff Bay tour

The group at Harry Ramsden's fish restaurant

A group of more than twenty carers and their relatives enjoyed a trip to Cardiff Bay recently in glorious sunshine.

The annual summer outing, organised by Crossroads Care in the Vale, began with an excursion around the bay aboard the cruiser Seren y Bae. The group disembarked at Penarth Marina and joined the road train for the return journey across the barrage. Brian of Cardiff Bay Tours accompanied the group throughout, and provided a fascinating commentary on both journeys, giving insight into the history of Cardiff docklands and the recent development of the area.

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