A NEW manager has been appointed at a busy locally-based charity providing vital support to carers and those they look after living at home.
Lorraine Walker takes over the helm at Crossroads (Annandale and Eskdale) at a time demand for the service provided has never been greater.
The married mother-of-three from Annan, who was previously deputy manager, was selected for the role following the retirement of former manager Michael Turner.
Mike has had a long career in the health and care sector, both locally and nationally, and was responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of the organisation for the past seven years.
Dr Liam Kieran, chairman of the trustees, expressed the board’s gratitude to Mike and presented him with a gift at the Crossroads first floor offices in the Ednam Street council building at Annan.
He said: “We are very grateful to Mike for his contribution during a period when there has been a growth of demand and, of course, the significant challenges we faced during the Covid outbreak period.
“I would like to warmly welcome Lorraine to her new role. I believe her experience at Crossroads and in senior positions in other sectors should stand her in good stead in fulfilling her new responsibilities.”
Before joining Crossroads, Lorraine worked in retail management, then operated a child-minding business and as her own sons became older joined Crossroads, initially training as a care attendant.
She said: “I look forward to the challenge. I’ve seen for myself just how much Crossroads is valued by carers, be they family or friends, and by those who they look after.
“Our fully trained and qualified team of care attendants give the main carer a break by looking after the cared for person on a regular basis, perhaps sometimes taking them on outings.
“In my experience this can have a very positive effect on the well-being of our service users.”
Taking over as deputy manager is Shelley Smith, who lives in the Annan area and also has wide experience and appreciation of the growing demand, which has led to an expansion of the care team in recent years.
Crossroads (Annandale and Eskdale) is an independent charity covering the entire largely rural district, including Annan, Eastriggs, Gretna, Langholm, Canonbie, Lockerbie and Moffat.
The service is part-funded by the local authority on behalf of the Health and Social Care Partnership and also serves privately-funded clients.
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and there can, at times, be a waiting list. More information is available by phoning the Crossroads team on 0748 339 8657 or 0735 611 9147.
* The Crossroads caring for carers concept emerged nationwide after being sparked by a storyline in a 1970s ITV soap of that name which featured a character who became paraplegic and a script which spotlighted his care needs and the support which would greatly help those who subsequently cared for him.
Picture: New manager Lorraine Walker, seated, with long-serving Crossroads (Annandale and Eskdale) chairman Dr Liam Kieran and deputy manager Shelley Smith