Impact Report 2021/22.
CrossReach is a leading and well-respected provider of social care for over 10,000 people in Scotland of all ages who find themselves facing challenging circumstances at any point in their life. Multiple issues affect hundreds of thousands of people day in, day out. Depression and anxiety, loneliness, discrimination and poverty, to name just a few. We have been responding to these ever-changing needs for over 150 years, constantly innovating and pioneering life-changing work.
We described 2020 as an extraordinary year due to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Looking forward, it was almost unthinkable that 2021 would mean living with such disturbance for a further 12 months. However we have yet again been in awe of the resolve and resilience of the CrossReach family; our employees, volunteers, and loyal supporters who worked alongside our supported people to overcome the challenges posed. It has certainly been a season of trial, but we now enter a season of hope and can take a moment to celebrate all that has been achieved by those we support over the past year.
Let’s celebrate:
- recovery for hundreds of people tackling long term substance use
- a parent receiving a hug for the very first time from their 18-year-old child
- enabling the voices of those living with dementia to be heard through the medium of art as they stand against climate change
- seeds of ambition sown in our young people as they think about what the future might hold
- a person struggling with their mental health now writing about ‘Kind people, who answered my prayer. I found my inner strength, just like Popeye’
…and the list goes on.
In times where it may seem the only certainty is uncertainty, we know that with your commitment and support we can offer hope and continue to make a real difference. Thank you.
Rev Thom Riddell, Convener and Viv Dickenson, CEO
Buddy has been having a wee wander around this report and has stopped at parts where his curiosity has been piqued. His paw prints will highlight these areas so that you can be curious too.
Adored by the children, Buddy (winning Polmont Visitor Centre mascot design) has left a trail of his paw prints for them to follow all the way up to the visiting room! Buddy helps reduce the anxiety that can be felt by children when they come to the prison, allowing them to engage more in the visit.
Highlights
Live music and dance is back, bringing big health benefits to people living with dementia.
Before I started working with you, I couldn’t even go on a bus, now I’m applying for jobs!
It’s because of this support that I am still here.
Dochas service in Stornoway
This group ‘saved my life’
Celebrating a mental health support group member who, in the words of their inspiring poem, went from ‘too far gone…alone’, to being able to say their prayers were answered and ‘I found my inner strength’. Tap the poem below to open and hear their story.
Nurturing the growth of children and young people across Scotland
Joining with others around the country planting trees in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, two of our Children and Families services planted trees in Autumn 2021..
Thriving in the great outdoors
Daisy Chain Early Years Project offers indoor and outdoor based sessions targeted at supporting the wellbeing and development of primary school aged children.
Breaking down barriers
Adult Care Services
From going to the gym to getting ready for their own place in the local community, the Transitions service provides opportunities for young people with complex care needs, based on what they want to achieve as young, independent adults.
It’s a unique service and a very rewarding job.
Transitions employee
People can change - a season of recovery
At the age of 12 Gavin was placed within the care system and spent most of his adult life in and out of prison. During this whole time Gavin was using cannabis, cocaine, valium and alcohol every day. In October 2021 Gavin was welcomed into CrossReach Whiteinch Move On Service.
If I hadn’t come here, I’d have overdosed or gone back to jail. This was the first time I got out of jail and my Mum and Gran haven’t been there for me. CrossReach saved my life. It definitely has.
Spring Appeal
It is clear that CrossReach recovery support has a huge impact on people's lives. This Spring we introduced Scott who told us about his journey to recovery and how your support can make that possible for others.
Support to face challenges, overcome difficulties and thrive
Children and Families
Aiming to make positive connections and to ignite ideas about work and further education possibilities, our pupils at our Erskine Waterfront Campus welcomed representatives from fifteen local businesses and agencies at their first Careers Fayre event. Exhibitors included Street League, SDS, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Eclipse Blinds, The Army, The Navy and The Marines.
Young people said:
I got different ideas for what I can do as my job.
I liked the police van the best and the police are actually all right when you get to know them.
I want to join the Royal Navy and be an assistant medic sub mariner’
A day like this breaks barriers between YP and police and allows them to have positive thoughts regarding the police
Police Scotland, Exhibitor
The Promise Scotland: helping improve the steps of transition
To hear the VOICE of children and their families or carers, we are
- Proactively involving children and their families in each step
- Supporting children, young people and their families to actively plan their transition
- Increasing the support of children, young people and their families during transition processes.
- Supporting young people move on successfully.
- Working closely with children and young people to protect, respect and enhance relationships are as they move in or out of our care.
Thanks to Corra (The Promise Scotland partner) for providing funding to support these developments.
Prison Visitor Centres
I was so nervous about coming to see him at the prison, I just didn’t know what to expect.
CrossReach operates two Prison Visitor Centres which enable supportive relationships to be maintained particularly with children and family members.
New programme to reconnect families through the magic of storytelling
We’ll help parents in prison to record bedtime stories or messages for their children on DVD or CD. For many, these story discs are a lifeline, helping to heals rifts and build vital family bonds.
Celebrating long life journeys
Older People Services
How would you want to celebrate your 100th birthday? Every person’s life is a story, with its own bespoke package of laugher and tears, exciting and every-day happenings and of achievement. Each story is precious and unique and celebrating our people in the way they want is incredibly important. Mrs Carson of South Beach House care home and Ron of Whinnieknowe care home have given us the privilege of celebrating their 100th birthdays, and the journeys that have taken them to this significant milestone.
When we visit we are always met with a warm welcome. We feel that our input is valued as we in turn value the care and consideration given to us by all members of staff
Whinnieknowe Care Inspectorate Report
Recognised for WWII service following a Royal encounter
Making a Prince blush will certainly get you noticed! But for 96 year old Betty, her encounter with the Lord High Commissioner, The Earl of Strathearn, lead to a different kind of being noticed. Following her proposition to the Prince, Betty caught the eye of Legion Scotland who reached out to her and awarded her a special commemorative coin for her service in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
Enabling the voice of people living with dementia to be heard at COP26 Heart for Art exhibit
Expressing the importance of oceans in helping reduce climate change as they store large amounts of carbon dioxide. Highlighting the increase in sea surface temperatures making survival much more difficult for sea creatures.
Artist: Richard Croft; Title: “Into the sea”; Technique: Mixed Media (collage)
I dropped my husband off and met three of the other wives for coffee [bliss] and when I came back two hours later, there was a beautiful masterpiece in oil – a beach with stunning sky. It literally took my breath away and brought tears to my exhausted eyes. Here was someone who had experienced nothing but losses for years and who had produced this beauty.
Pam, Galashiels
Click to view full image
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Ohana - Meaning ‘family’ or ‘no one left behind'
A special ‘Thank you’ to each employee
…really proud to be part of this wonderful organisation.
You are all winners
40 years of continuous service!
Over 40 years ago, Glen joined the CrossReach family as part of the Manpower Services Commission and Mary began her journey with us as a domestic worker. Today Glen manages Morlich House residential care home and Mary is a Senior Care Worker in Cumnor Hall care home, having enjoyed other roles and responsibilities along the paths of their continuous and celebrated service!
Marta - a new CrossReach family member
Every gift in a will is received with huge gratitude by CrossReach. Every legacy has the potential to start something new for our service users; a new phase of life, new initiative or new beginning.