2018 Social Care Awards

12 GHP / Social Care Awards 2018 , Across is an innovative organisation which offers pilgrimages, drawing on its values of faith, fulfilment, family, inspiration and passion. The charity supports patients to undertake a pilgrimage in the organisation’s Jumbulance; a unique, specially-designed coach ambulance, which provides safe and comfortable transport for travellers with wide ranging disabilities and illnesses. It is equipped to a high specification and includes 7 beds of which 3 are high dependency, 18 recliner sleeper-chairs, a kitchen and fully accessible disabled toilet, a SO180013 Best Special Needs Pilgrimage Services Provider - UK Across is a charity that provides transport and support to enable thosewith special care needs to go on holidays and pilgrimages of a life time to Lourdes in France.We profile the organisation to learnmore about the vital work it undertakes. hydraulic lift, medical equipment and air conditioning. Priority to travel is given to those with a terminal illness, those with progressive diseases and those whose medical conditions make it impossible or impractical to use conventional means of transport. Across aims to enable their pilgrims to participate in a spiritual experience, whilst enjoying holiday activities and the company of others in changed surroundings. To ensure comfort and safety for everyone who travels on these special journeys, Across groups are accommodated in a 4 star hotel in Lourdes, where the Company: Across Contact: Charity HQ Address: St Marks Community Centre, Tollgate Rd, Beckton, London, E6 5YA, UK Phone: 020 3542 1800 Website: www.across.org.uk charity has 12 specially adapted rooms that include hospital beds and medical equipment, as well as easily accessible wet rooms. Ultimately, Across is a small national charity, and its on-going challenge is to reach a wider audience of both travellers and supporters. The organisation can make travel possible for those that need special care, but they need peoples’ time, love and donations to continue and expand its pilgrimage operation in the years ahead and to make amazing journeys happen. As such, looking ahead, the organisation will continue to seek new supporters as well as new pilgrims, with bookings and individual applications being accepted for 2018. Longer term, the charity is seeking to host a pilgrimage to Rome in 2019.