Sponsored volunteering

Want to make a longer lasting impact this year? Get sponsored for your volunteering with Crisis this Christmas.

Get sponsored

Want to make a longer lasting impact this year? Get sponsored for your volunteering with Crisis this Christmas.

Thank you for standing with people facing homelessness this Christmas by volunteering. With your support, hundreds of people will be taking their first steps out of homelessness.

But your impact doesn’t have to stop once our Christmas services have ended. By asking your family and friends to sponsor your volunteering, you can directly support our year-round services. You can help the people you meet this year access support beyond Christmas in areas such as housing, employment and education, to end their homelessness for good.

1. Set up your fundraising page

Start fundraising by setting up your JustGiving page and select 'do your own thing' when creating your page. You can also fundraise offline using this sponsorship form.

2. Spread the word on social media

Share what you're doing on social media. Use our downloadable images further down for your posts.

3. Share a message with loved ones

Let your friends and family know about your volunteering and fundraising. We have text for you to use below.

Yvonne's volunteering story

Yvonne's story

• How long have you been a volunteer for Crisis at Christmas and why did you sign up?

I started volunteering for Crisis at Christmas at the East London Day Centre in 2018.

I had wanted to volunteer for Crisis for a while as I was becoming disappointed with increased commerciality and decreased meaning of Christmas each year, plus I heard great things from a colleague. I was caring for my Mum, so was unable to volunteer, but when she passed away in January 2018 I decided that I wanted to be of service at a deeply emotional time of year. It's one of the best things I've ever done!

• What sort of volunteering jobs did you do and why did you enjoy these roles?

I started as an Activities Volunteer offering Relax Sessions (Restorative Yoga) in person 2018-19, and online in 2020. It was very special to offer Crisis Guests an opportunity to connect to their breath and relax in a safe environment. I loved seeing their reaction to all my inviting bolsters and blankets laid out to offer rest.

Since 2021 I volunteer as an Activities Organiser (AO) working alongside other AOs leading a team of volunteers, offering a wide variety of activities, from arts and crafts, hairdressing, portrait painting, supporting digital skills, nail art, football coaching plus more and the most popular activity - Bingo!

• What was the reaction from friends and family when you asked for sponsorship?

"It's amazing what you're doing, well done you"

"I love Crisis, happy to support"

"Want to volunteer but have to do family Christmas, happy to donate"

Some of comments I have received over the years.

Every year I multiply the Crisis donation by 10 - the number of mats I used to take into East London Day Centre. Every year, I smash the target with the effortless kindness of my friends, family and network. Some even ask me for the link before I post it!

• What is your top tip for anyone considering becoming a sponsored volunteer?

Don't be shy! Share why you're volunteering, your story is powerful, simply ask friends, family and colleagues to support funding Crisis at Christmas by sponsored your volunteering.

Add your fundraising page link into to your email signature, socials and send WhatsApp Broadcast messages (or similar).

Remember the saying, don't ask, don't get!

Crisis Guests will benefit greatly from the opportunity of safe warm catered accommodation with support to end their homelessness.

Double the impact of your volunteering this Christmas by getting sponsored, like Yvonne.

Social sharing graphics

We've got you covered here, with downloadable images to put on your social media and share with your friends and family. Click the links to download the size you need for different platforms.

Landscape social media post

Use some of our wording below to help ask for donations this Christmas!

"As a volunteer for Crisis this Christmas, I will be there for people as they start to build their lives beyond homelessness.

Every year, people like me give up their time to provide warmth, companionship and vital services to people facing homelessness during one of the toughest times of the year.

I want to ensure that the people I meet this year continue to get the support they need after Christmas. Could you sponsor me and help make this happen? Your support will help fund Crisis’ year-round services and ensure that more people are able to end their homelessness for good. <Insert your fundraising page link here>"

Please contact sponsoravolunteer@crisis.org.uk for more information about sponsored volunteering.

Get sponsored