• Crisis opens its Christmas hotel services in London for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough
• Charity reports rising demand for support as it prepares to help more than 6,000 people facing homelessness across Great Britain during the festive period

Today (Monday 23 December) ‘The Body Coach’ Joe Wicks, actor Sam Phillips, and singer-songwriter and Crisis ambassador Ellie Goulding joined national homelessness charity Crisis to help open its Christmas services for people experiencing homelessness.

The celebrity volunteers attended one of the three hotels that Crisis has taken over in London to support people who would otherwise be sleeping rough for the next two weeks. Here the famous faces spent the day volunteering alongside the hundreds of volunteers that help run Crisis at Christmas – welcoming guests, serving hot drinks and food, playing games, and chatting with guests.

The hotels, which form part of Crisis’ services across Great Britain, will see over 570 guests provided with their own room, companionship and access to Crisis’ year-round services to help them build a life beyond homelessness. This support includes hot meals, health and wellbeing services such as GPs, opticians and hairdressers, and specialist advice on benefits and housing.

Crisis says it is preparing for a difficult winter ahead having received more than double the number of referrals than it has spaces available in its Christmas hotels. This, it says, has been driven by rising rates of rough sleeping across the capital. The latest figures show that 4,780 people were seen sleeping rough on the capital’s streets from July to September this year, an increase of almost a fifth (18%) from the previous year. The number of people deemed living on the streets has increased by 42%.

Alongside the hotels, Crisis will also be opening dedicated day centres in London which will provide support to people forced to stay in insecure accommodation such as hostels and B&Bs. Combined with the help on offer through its year-round services, Crisis expects to support more than 6,000 people experiencing homelessness this Christmas.

With over a quarter of a million households experiencing the worst forms of homelessness across Britain, including rough sleeping, sofa surfing, or being stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation, the charity says it needs the public’s support now more than ever.

To help support its vital work this winter and beyond, Crisis is asking the public to give £29.80 to help someone take their first steps to a life beyond homelessness. Please visit https://bit.ly/4gbgrny.

Joe Wicks, ‘The Body Coach’ and Crisis Supporter, said: “It’s been really inspiring to spend this morning volunteering with Crisis and helping to welcome guests to the hotel. Crisis at Christmas is a special place run by an extraordinary team of staff and volunteers.

“This time of year is a difficult time for many, but through their services Crisis helps people facing homelessness take their first steps to a life beyond it. If you can, please support Crisis this Christmas, so they can continue to be there for people who need it most, both at Christmas and all year round.”

Ellie Goulding, Singer-songwriter and Crisis Ambassador, said: "Every year, I’m so grateful to be able to volunteer with Crisis at Christmas. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to speak with guests who walk through the doors, offering a friendly face and a warming cup of tea or coffee.

“Crisis are able to change the lives of so many people experiencing homelessness – providing guests with companionship, support and their own room. No one should have to face Christmas without the warmth and security of a safe home, so please get involved by donating or volunteering. With your support Crisis can continue in their mission to end homelessness for good.”

Sam Phillips, Actor and Crisis Supporter, said: "After helping Crisis with preparations in the warehouse last year, I’ve really enjoyed supporting the volunteers at the hotel today and chatting with the guests.

“The work Crisis does to help people build a life beyond homelessness is vital, both at Christmas and all year round. The kindness and generosity of every volunteer is truly inspiring, and it’s clear they work tirelessly to ensure each guest feel settled. I encourage everyone to get involved and support Crisis this festive season so they can continue transforming the lives of so many people facing homelessness."

Matt Downie, Chief Executive at Crisis, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our celebrity supporters for joining Crisis volunteers today and helping to make Christmas a special time for our guests. Crisis at Christmas simply wouldn’t be possible without the kindness and dedication of our volunteers, who give up their time to ensure that people can take the first step to a life beyond homelessness.

“No one should be without the warmth and security of a safe home, and at Christmas this is especially tough. With homelessness increasing across the country, we’ve seen unprecedented demand for our services. This Christmas, like every other, our guests will receive hot meals, healthcare and specialist advice to help them leave homelessness behind for good.

“But we need the help of the public to ensure we can continue to be there for anyone who needs us, at Christmas and beyond.”

-Ends-

Notes to Editor

[1] Crisis will be supporting more than 570 people who would otherwise be sleeping rough in London. This includes 577 people in three hotels and specialist provision for a small number of women guests in partnership with The Marylebone Project.

About Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for people facing homelessness across Wales, Scotland and England. We know that homelessness is not inevitable, and we know that together, we can end it.

We provide services directly to people experiencing homelessness, carry out research into the causes and consequences of homelessness, and campaign for the changes needed to end it.

You can contact the Crisis media team on 020 7426 3880, media@crisis.org.uk, or 07973 372587 (out of hours).