• Decorations created in partnership with people who have experienced homelessness.
• All proceeds go towards the services Crisis provides both at Christmas and all year round to help more people take their first steps out of homelessness.
• Available online at shopfromcrisis.org.uk/products/crisis-x-pivot-neighbourhood-series-decoration.

Product images available here. Video of the collaboration workshop available here.

This year, national homelessness charity Crisis is celebrating hope and home through their exclusive collection of Christmas decorations, with each design telling a story inspired by people with direct experience of homelessness.

The four decorations were co-designed by people Crisis have supported, working alongside the social enterprise Pivot who guided the creative process and production, to create symbols of hope, resilience and belonging that each reflect on the meaning of home.

Each decoration represents what a stable home brings - a place of safety and security, the peace that comes with owning a key, the freedom to light up your home, and the power of community.

Crisis partnered with the social enterprise Pivot to create the decorations. Pivot offer creative training and employment to people experiencing homelessness. They design and sell jewellery and homeware made by individuals in their programmes, providing valuable skills and boosting confidence so that people can rebuild their lives away from homelessness.

Esther was one of five people who took part in a workshop with Pivot which led to the creation of these decorations. For her, the symbol of a key reminds her of a time when she had no address and was forced to rely on others, often waiting outside until they came home. She said: “Without an address, you can’t always access services. Having my own key gives me confidence, as it means you can build your life and move forwards.”

Rossana, 36, currently lives in temporary accommodation with her husband and three young children while they wait for a permanent home. Rossana has used her design background and personal experiences to help co-produce the decorations alongside Crisis. She said:

“For me, home means warmth and family which is why the community themed decoration is my personal favourite. Community can be the family we’re born with and the family we find along the way. It’s people who wrap around you when you’re lost, who stand beside you and who help you move forward.

“I am hopeful that these Christmas decorations will help raise awareness of the challenges people face when they become homeless, especially how important supporting one another is. It has been wonderful working alongside other people with similar experiences to share our stories and I hope our collective effort will lead to more understanding, compassion, and hopefully, change.”

As we approach Christmas, rates of homelessness in England stand at record levels. The numbers of people rough sleeping continue to rise and there are more than 130,000 households trapped in temporary accommodation, including over 169,000 children.

This festive period, Crisis will be supporting over 5,500 people by providing warmth, companionship and vital services to people facing the trauma and indignity of homelessness. Crisis’ Christmas services work alongside the specialist support the charity provides all year round which helps people find their own stable home, develop new skills and gain confidence.

Available on their own or as a set, in brass or stainless steel, each decoration brings a heartfelt meaning to this year’s Christmas tree. Priced at £15, every purchase made at shopfromcrisis.org.uk will give someone the gift of a life out of homelessness.

Liz Choonara, Executive Director of Commerce & Enterprise at Crisis, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to have collaborated with such talented individuals who shared their stories and inspirations to create these beautiful decorations.

“While home means something different to us all, there is no denying that without a safe, settled home people’s lives are upended and getting through each day can become such a struggle. That’s why at Crisis, we work side-by-side with people experiencing homelessness, helping them to rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good. 

“With homelessness on the rise, and over a quarter of a million households across Britain currently experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, your support is more vital now than ever before. Each purchase made will bring hope this Christmas, and one decoration at a time we can help someone take their first step to a life out of homelessness.”