Crisis

“I felt so much pressure and my life just spiralled out of control.” When Gaz came to Crisis, homelessness had worn him down physically and mentally. “I’ve always been a positive person and helped other people. Always had a caring nature but I had a tough childhood. “The first time I walked into Crisis, I felt like someone finally cared. It was the first time I wasn’t just surviving. Crisis helped me have a structure instead of going mad and being out on the street. I don’t know what I would have done without them. It’s not rocket science. If you haven’t got a roof over your head, it’s going to be difficult to progress in life.” Gaz, a previous Crisis member, now volunteers at Crisis at Christmas and last year wrote the foreword to the Crisis at Christmas magazine. “I’ve met some amazing people and getting involved with everything at Christmas with Crisis made my Christmas. The supporters and the donors, their money is going to good use. It’s changing people’s lives." This Christmas, we are expecting to welcome over 6,000 people like Gaz through our doors. This Christmas can be the beginning of a life beyond homelessness. Read more of Gaz’s story and find out how you can donate to #CrisisatChristmas this year: https://bit.ly/3YJtdTt

Interested in volunteering for #CrisisAtChristmas but not sure what's involved? We're looking for all kinds of people. Yes, we need people who can do Christmas lunches but we also need good listeners. Companionship is an essential part of our Christmas. Helping people to reconnect with others and rebuild their confidence is an important step on their journey out of homelessness for good. Veteran volunteer Lydia explained how she spent one day over Christmas last year: "I spent a whole day last year with the sweetest lady. We met while she was queuing to get her eyes tested. We chatted over cake and a hot chocolate, we chatted some more while she got her hair cut and washed, we played bingo and ended our day with some arts and crafts. We both left each other feeling really happy to have met one another." Find out more: https://bit.ly/48n2Oix

New Crisis research. Please note: this post discusses the links between racism and homelessness. All of us depend on services and support systems to build healthy, fulfilled lives. Our latest research shows how people from Black and minoritised ethnic communities are being failed by these systems. We need to come together, as a society, to fix this. At Crisis, we’ve committed to making changes to our services to make them as safe and inclusive as possible. We’re also calling for the government to make changes to the law to address the disproportionate impact of homelessness on people of colour. Read more about our research: https://bit.ly/48pDR64

Get ready to make a splash: Icebreaker is back!❄️💦 Face the freeze this winter and take part in Icebreaker - the cold water challenge that helps end homelessness. Get together with your friends, family and colleagues and choose to take part in one of our events or do it your own way with our DIY challenge. This year, our London events will take place at: •Brockwell Lido, London on 7 December 2024 •Parliament Hill Lido, London on 18 January 2025 •Tooting Bec Lido, London on 25 January 2025 More details for events at Caswell Bay, Swansea and Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa, Oxfordshire coming soon! Alternatively, you can do it your own way. Our DIY challenge is free to enter and once you raise £15, you can claim a free swim hat! Sign up today: https://bit.ly/4eSG8t2 #WorldSwimDay

Recent research from Crisis uncovers the human stories that show a direct link between racism and homelessness. Please note: this post discusses racism and homelessness. Our research gave people a platform to share how racism and discrimination has impacted their lives and been a cause of their homelessness. Here are just some of their stories. We have to take tangible steps towards a future where everyone is treated fairly and with dignity. Read our blog: https://bit.ly/3YDrqAv

📢New research Please note this post discusses racism and homelessness. A decent home is a basic human need. And yet, existing evidence shows people from Black and minoritised ethnic communities are more likely to experience homelessness in the UK than their white counterparts. Today, we launch our latest research report ‘”Where do I belong, where is home?”: Experiences of racism and homelessness’, which aims to highlight the real, human stories behind these stats. A group of people from minoritised ethnic communities helped shape our report, which features the testimonials. These real-life accounts show how racism and discrimination can negatively impact every area of a person's life – from finding a home, to securing a job or accessing healthcare. Racism and discrimination have no place in our society. It is our collective responsibility to stamp it out where we find it, whether that's in our public services, institutions, or policies. Swipe for our key findings ➡️ Read our research blog: https://bit.ly/3Yc8c3k

Simon was living in his childhood home with his Mum, but when she died, the landlord increased the rent from £127 per week to £1,450 per month. When Simon struggled to keep up with the rent, he was evicted. He tells his story. “I was working as a care and support worker, and I had challenges at work. I was being bullied at work, and I had a breakdown. I was really struggling, and at the time, my mum was struggling because she was in her 90s. So, we agreed that it would be better if I moved back in. I could support her, and it would give me a safe space, because of my mental health struggles. "My parents had moved into the house just after the Second World War started. It was a rented property. It had been a family home for me and my siblings and always been a safe space. "When she died, I informed the landlord, as you should do, that I wanted to take over the tenancy. I got a letter back from the landlord saying, 'Yes, you can stay, but your rent’s going up.' On benefits, I couldn’t afford the increase from £127 per week to £1,450 per month. Universal Credit pay £524.99 a month which isn’t enough to cover the cost of living. "I saw a Crisis advert, and I thought, 'I’ll give them a ring'. I went in, had my initial interview, and they put me onto Angela. "Angela is phenomenal. She's been through all the paperwork, all the texts, all the emails, all the letters. She's supported me with applications. If the council offered me a place that wasn’t appropriate, Angela would contact them and say, 'Look, this isn’t appropriate because…' "Everyone at the Birmingham Skylight has gone above and beyond. Crisis has been amazing. I've finally found a social home that is suitable. "Working with Crisis, I realised that it wasn't just me. There are thousands of people out there in a similar situation. The Government needs to take action." Tell the UK Government to put Britain on a path to a future free from homelessness: https://bit.ly/4dJouq7

Yule never guess the difference you can make...🎁 Help someone begin their life beyond homelessness and fundraise for Crisis this Christmas. When someone walks through our doors, it can be the first day everything changes. It's the day they get out of the cold and the pressure lifts off their shoulders. Your support means their first day with us won't be their last, and we'll be with them throughout Christmas and beyond with year-round support. There are lots of different ways you can help. You can bring people together at work, in your community, with family and friends, or on your own. Hold a collection in your local area, take part in Icebreaker or host your own event. We have plenty of ideas and resources to get you started. So have your-elf a merry little fundraiser this Christmas and make a difference that will last long after the Christmas Tree comes down. Get cracking and sign up via our website: https://bit.ly/3zWUJEB

“I went into audiology to help people. When this opportunity came up, I thought there would be guests who usually wouldn’t have an opportunity to have someone check their ear health or maybe who had never had a wax removal before. So I was really excited to be part of the process to help them get better ear health.”- Zaynap, Specsavers Audiology Volunteer at our Christmas 2023 services. Crisis at Christmas will be supported by our friends at Specsavers for a third year running. Specsavers will be offering much-needed eye and ear clinics across the country, as well as funding some key healthcare services in London, including the dentistry service. Last year, 83 amazing Specsavers volunteers gave up their time to run 11 eye clinics, seven ear care clinics and help out across our Christmas hotels and centres. We’re thrilled to have you onboard again for 2024. Find out about partnership with Specsavers: https://bit.ly/3Ue8nKu