We are delighted to celebrate two of our brilliant colleagues – Tirath Kaur and Val Richards, who have each reached the incredible milestone of 20 years at Crossroads!
Tirath began her Crossroads story in 2005 when she joined DISC (Dementia Information & Support for Carers) as a Dementia Adviser. Over the years she has moved through various dementia services and partnerships, becoming a Sandwell Dementia Navigator in 2020, before moving on to the Carers Dementia Service and now part of our Carers Wellbeing & Dementia Service.
Val actually started back in 2004 (she left for a while before returning, but we’ll let her off!). Again, Val started with DISC as an Office Manager, tasked with creating a structure for the new DISC service and then moving on to become a Dementia Adviser. She then worked as a Dementia Trainer as part of our partnership with Forward Carers in 2020, then on to the Carers Dementia Service, and most recently becoming part of our Carers Wellbeing & Dementia Service.
Val said, ‘When I started with DISC I was a full time carer for my mother who had a diagnosed dementia. As the service progressed, I became the main public speaker at various events for the service, which included speaking about my lived experience as a carer. This interaction piqued my passion of supporting those in the community who are also carers and thus I took on a role as a Dementia Advisor for the service.’ And as they say, the rest is history!
Working together during most of their time at Crossroads, not only have they adapted to multiple new ways of working (especially during the pandemic!), they have also developed a strong working relationship and wonderful friendship, and this shines through in all they do.
Experts in their field and absolute professionals, between them they have supported countless families who are navigating their dementia journey, which is often difficult and emotional. Providing ongoing support, information, advice and training, but also a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on – which we know is greatly appreciated by everyone they assist.
Thank you to you both and congratulations on two decades of fabulous work!
