A CARING charity brought festive fun to hospital patients while spreading awareness of the vital support they offer to vulnerable people in the community.

Crossroads Caring for Carers delivered some Christmas cheer to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, along with Worcester Mayor Allah Ditta who helped by selling donations and the Salvation Army who played and provided carol sheets to patients, staff and visitors.

Helen Simmons, care manager of Crossroads Caring for Carers, Worcestershire branch, said: “The Mayor, Salvation Army, Hospital Chaplin, David Southall, and Nicky Langford, Worcestershire Royal Hospital Community Fundraising Officer, all helped to make it such a fun day and our heartfelt thanks goes to each and every one of them.

"We raised nearly £200 for our charity too.”

In most cases patients look forward to being discharged from hospital, but some older adults, who lack the support they need to be able to return home can become withdrawn and frightened.

Even though they are medically fit, if this support cannot be found, it will delay their discharge.

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This means the person may have to spend unnecessary time in hospital which also puts further strain on NHS bed availability.

Crossroads Caring for Carers provide this home care and support.

The charity’s aim is also to help family-based carers to make a life of their own, outside of caring and to relieve the stresses experienced by home carers of adults who have care needs as a result of a disability, illness or age, by offering services through the provision of community-based care support workers.

Staff receive face-to-face training including how to use hoists and other equipment.

The staff always get to meet the person they will be looking after before they start working “so they are confident, and the person is familiar with you.” Ms Simmons said.