Ingrid’s here to help in a crisis

AN Oldham mother will give up some of her Christmas at home with her family to help the needy.

Social worker Ingrid Crellin is part of an emergency team which responds to out-of-hours crisis calls year round — and that includes Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

They deal with an enormous range of circumstances, in fact any issue which could end in crisis for children, adults and families.

And they are poised to help people who struggle with life over the festive period.

“Some people can feel really low at Christmas when they think everyone else is playing happy families and having a good time,” said Ingrid.

“They may feel suicidal and often ring us, while others just need to talk.”

“We work when other people go home,” explained Ingrid, who has one daughter, two stepchildren, and other caring responsibilities of her own to fit into a busy life.

“We do absolutely anything and everything, it is so varied. It can be anything from rehousing elderly residents after a major gas leak, to arranging medical help or support at home for people who are mentally unwell.

“We might be called out if an elderly person needs respite care because their carer becomes unwell, or be called to a vulnerable person who is taken into custody and needs help to understand the system.”

She added: “Most of us are pretty good at problem solving, and using resources creatively to keep people safe overnight or at the weekend.

“With the best will in the world, we are not always able to help, but we can make people safe until the following morning when other services are available,” she said.

“I love the variety and the challenge,” said Ingrid, who will get just one day at home with her family over the festive period.

“I like to think that for a small snippet of someone’s life I have made the situation safer and a bit better.”

The six-strong team share out the responsibility of providing 24-hour cover between them, and Ingrid took on the job because it suited her family circumstances.

“People are our concern, but we do stress our service is for emergency and crisis only,” she said.

People who need emergency help can contact Ingrid and her colleagues from 5 to 9.30pm on weekdays, and 24 hours at weekends and Bank Holidays on 0161-770 6936.