Help ensure no one is homeless and alone this Christmas

From: Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive, Crisis. Jo Brand, Crisis Ambassador. Al Doyle, Crisis Ambassador. Jonathan Pryce CBE, Crisis Ambassador. Ellie Goulding, Crisis Ambassador. Alastair Stewart OBE, Crisis Ambassador
By Letter by a Reader
Published 11th Dec 2020, 08:30 BST
Updated 17th Dec 2020, 09:44 BST
A homeless person. Photo Nick Ansell/PA WireA homeless person. Photo Nick Ansell/PA Wire
A homeless person. Photo Nick Ansell/PA Wire

For so many of us, this past year has seen us spending more time at home than we ever have before. During these difficult times we’ve learnt how much we depend on each other for connection, hope and support – and how having somewhere safe to call home can be lifesaving.

While this Christmas will be unlike no other, most can look forward to some contact with loved ones, the exchanging of gifts and a home cooked Christmas dinner. But one in four people who are homeless will spend Christmas alone. This year there will be over 200,000 families and individuals across England facing the worst forms of homelessness. No one should be forced to live, or spend Christmas, shivering on the streets, sofa surfing with strangers or in a hostel with nowhere to call home and no-one to be with.

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That’s why, outside of our year-round services, Crisis supports thousands of people who would otherwise be homeless at one of the most challenging times of the year. While the pandemic means we’re having to do things differently, our frontline teams across the country will be working harder than ever to make sure people receive nutritious meals and festive treats, Christmas games and wellbeing packs, friendship and support from our volunteer befrienders, as well as somewhere safe to stay.

This is just the beginning. We also introduce people to our year-round training, education and support with housing, employment and wellbeing. This long-term support helps people to rebuild their lives, giving them a future away from homelessness.

But we need your help. To ensure we can be there for everyone who needs us, we’re asking members of the public to support our work this Christmas and year-round. So, whether you host a virtual karaoke night, become one of our essential volunteers or give a gift of a Crisis Christmas, you’ll be helping to ensure that this Christmas people facing homelessness aren’t alone.

To find out more or to donate to Crisis this Christmas please visit www.crisis.org.uk/support