Crossroads SEL

10/04/2026

I am deeply honoured to have been made a Freeman of the City of London today.
This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the incredible people and communities I’ve had the privilege to work alongside throughout my career, particularly unpaid carers, families, and those who too often go unseen but give so much of themselves every single day.
Through my work with Crossroads SEL I’ve witnessed first-hand the resilience, compassion and quiet strength that underpins our communities.This honour belongs as much to them as it does to me.
At a time when social care continues to face immense pressure, I hope this moment helps shine a light on the importance of supporting those who care for others, often without recognition or reward.
I remain committed to championing dignity, fairness and practical support for those who need it most.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey.
London Borough of Bexley South East London ICS Carers Trust

07/04/2026

We’ve officially planted our logo flag… on the moon.
Okay, maybe not literally (yet 😉)… but the message is just as big:
Unpaid carers deserve to be seen everywhere.
While the world looks up at space, we’re looking closer to home, at the thousands of incredible people who care for loved ones every single day.
No spotlight.
No fanfare.
Just unwavering commitment.
We are here to change that.
Because unpaid carers shouldn’t feel like they’re operating on another planet.
Whether it’s respite, emotional support, or just someone to talk to we’ve got your back.

Let’s bring unpaid carers out of the shadows and into the spotlight they deserve.
If you’re an unpaid carer, or know someone who is, contact us.
www.ccsel.org
01322 336086/ info@ccsel.org

07/04/2026

£86.45 per week, that’s roughly what a weekly food shop costs for a family of two.
It's about a third of an average energy bill.

And it's what the government pays someone who provides 35 or more hours of care every single week, cooking, washing, administering medication, managing appointments, sitting with someone through the night, the list goes on….

As at 6 April 2026, the Carer's Allowance rose from £81.90 to £86.45 per week in England and Wales.

The earnings threshold increases to £204 per week.

Both are welcome.

Neither changes the reality.

We'll keep saying it until something changes.

Full details:
gov.uk/carers-allowance

Apply for Carer's Allowance - money to help you look after someone who needs to be cared for. Apply online or use form DS700.

07/04/2026

Today is World Health Day.
While the NHS faces record demand, unpaid carers are quietly holding the system together often at great cost to their own health.

We are here to give unpaid carers a break before they break.

Supporting unpaid carers is preventative healthcare. Full stop.

05/04/2026

Unpaid carers give everything.
The least they deserve is a break.That’s exactly what we provide. A real person. A genuine rest. Time to breathe. If you’re caring for someone and running on empty, call us on 01322 336086 or visit www. ccsel.org we’re here for you.

02/04/2026

Wishing all colleagues a Happy Easter, hope you get some RnR over the extended bank holiday break 🐣 🐰

23/03/2026

Our colleague Lynda attended a 'Meet the funders' event held at the Civic Offices Bexleyheath.
It was a great opportunity to hear directly from a range of funders about the grants they currently have available, along with some really useful tips for making strong applications.
A good event for anyone looking to strengthen their funding knowledge and connections.
London Borough of Bexley South East London ICS

21/03/2026

Our Community Care Team supports unpaid carers and the people they care for every single day.
If you’re compassionate, reliable, and want a role with real purpose, we’d love to hear from you.
- Flexible role
- Meaningful work
- Be part of a supportive community
Make a difference where it matters most.

19/03/2026

A ‘pop in’ visit to today!
I had the pleasure of seeing the amazing Live Well, Age Well activities in action, a brilliant space bringing together people aged 50+ living in the Sidcup area.
As we know, staying socially connected is so important as we get older, and initiatives like this make a real difference to people’s lives.
London Borough of Bexley South East London ICS

19/03/2026

The Carers Partnership Board is developing a new Unpaid Carers Guide for Bexley.
If you look after someone, we want to hear from you.
Share your views in our short survey:
https://ask.bexley.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/unpaid-carers-guide
London Borough of Bexley South East London ICS

18/03/2026

Wisdom is knowing you can’t force everything and for unpaid carers, that truth runs deep.

You can’t force recovery.
You can’t rush healing.
You can’t make someone accept help before they’re ready.
But every day, you still show up.

You sit in the uncertainty.
You give your time, your energy, your heart.
You carry love in moments that feel heavy, slow, or unseen.
Caring for a loved one teaches a different kind of strength, one rooted in patience and compassion.
So if days feels hard, remember this:
You are doing enough.
Even when progress is slow.
Even when nothing seems to change.
Because love, in its truest form, doesn’t force, it stays.❤️
www.ccsel.org

14/03/2026

Trauma bonding doesn’t happen overnight, it happens in stages.

It often develops slowly through cycles of intense affection, emotional dependency, criticism, confusion and relief.

Over time, this pattern can make it incredibly difficult for someone to step away, even when the relationship is harmful.

For unpaid carers, this can be especially complex. Many unpaid carers support loved ones they deeply care about, even when relationships may be strained, emotionally challenging, or shaped by long-standing trauma.

Understanding trauma bonding helps us approach these situations with empathy, patience and compassion, rather than judgement.

By recognising these patterns, we can better support unpaid carers and the people they care for, while also encouraging healthy boundaries, emotional wellbeing, and trauma-informed support.

We understand that caring relationships are not always simple.
That’s why trauma-informed support and safe spaces for unpaid carers to talk about their experiences are so important.

If you’re an unpaid carer supporting someone through difficult relationship dynamics, you’re not alone.
Support is available.