The Comet’s charity of the year, Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North, has a team of 90 carer support workers who provide breaks for carers in their homes.

All of the charity’s carer support workers are trained in social care to meet the needs of clients; they deliver a dedicated and flexible service to all carers.

Penny Mitchell joined Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North as a carer support worker in 2006.

Andrew Taylor operations manager for Crossroads Care said: “Penny is a committed, hardworking, loyal and adaptable member of the Crossroads team always going the extra mile and aiming to meet the needs of the clients she supports.

“We always feel confident sending her to new clients in the knowledge that she will be flexible and tailor her approach to their needs,” he added.

One of Penny’s clients, Elizabeth, was a fit and independent 82-year-old who led an active life until she was taken seriously ill in 2010, has been receiving a service from Crossroads Care since 2011. A keen rambler, Elizabeth used to walk every day but, following her illness, she was unable to walk unaided and became wheelchair bound.

Since her illness Elizabeth has been cared for and lives with her daughter Deborah and her family.

In early 2011 Crossroads Care started to provide a service so that Deborah could continue to work and get a break from caring for her mum.

Deborah said: “I am convinced my mum would not have physically improved so much without the support and companionship that she is given by Penny. It needed a caring person coming in from outside the family to provide this stimulation and special time just for my mum.

“They now go out for regular walks and enjoy feeding the ducks and getting some fresh air together. Words cannot express how much Penny has improved my mum’s social life and given her something to look forward to which she thought she would not do again. We cannot thank Crossroads enough,” she added.

The charity is always looking to recruit new carer support workers and offers fully funded training to anyone who is interested in getting involved.

To find out more about the opportunities offered by Crossroads Care Hertfordshire North call Sue Wren on 01462 455578 or visit www.crossroadshn.org.uk