A ‘VITAL’ Barnsley care service which has been dominated by transient workforces has been given a boost in order to provide long-term careers for youngsters.
South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) awarded funding to Crossroads Caring For Carers, based on Stocks Lane, as part of its Moving On Up programme.
Established in 1993, Crossroads is a charity and has provided support services to nearly half a million carers and those they care for in the town.
The funding enabled Crossroads to expand its work engaging young people interested in care careers, targeting young individuals without existing connections to the organisation’s service users.
Crossroads used the five-figure grant to fund an eight-session course, completed by 16 youngsters, which culminated in six accredited care certificates and two additional transferable qualifications - safeguarding and first aid.
There are a further 36 youngsters undertaking this course during the coming year.
The sessions taught them life-saving skills such as CPR, wound care and how to handle emergencies.
Joseph David, chief executive of Crossroads, said: “We are hugely grateful to South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation for this grant which is critical in helping us to attract new people and particularly a younger generation to explore careers in the care sector.
“It enabled us to deliver our care-focused curriculum courses to prepare participants for future roles in a sector experiencing high demand.”
There are about 6,700 people working in adult social care - including those working in residential and home care, supported living and associated areas - with an estimated 100 providers registered with the council.
However, it’s hoped the scheme will increase the amount of workers in the care sector which has been blighted by a high staff turnover in recent years.
Professor Chris Booth-Mayblin, chair of South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation and philanthropy co-ordinator, Rachael Farrell, visited Crossroads Barnsley to learn more about the organisation’s work.
They attended a Memory Hub event - an afternoon of entertainment, food and dancing at Barnsley Football Club - which brought together people living with dementia, their carers, families and those facing social isolation.
Chris added: “It was such an inspirational event - Crossroads is making a real difference to the lives of carers and those they care for and it was fantastic to see this first-hand.
“We’re delighted to have been able to fund the care training programme as part of the organisation’s commitment to engaging more young people into the sector.”
Susan Taylor, chair of trustees, Crossroads Barnsley, said: “We’re a vital resource for the Barnsley community and the SYCF funding means we can continue our work across the borough as part of our mission to make a real difference to the lives of many people.”
