Crisis at Christmas is a charity appeal that helps us provide warm meals, shelter, support and companionship at Christmas to those experiencing homelessness. More than that, the impact of Crisis at Christmas lasts long after Christmas as guests are introduced to Crisis’ year-round services.
Over the years, we have adapted our Christmas services based on evidence of what works to provide more intensive support to people experiencing the most extreme and isolating form of homelessness – those rough sleeping – to help them take the first steps out of homelessness.
This year, we’re continuing to support people experiencing the worst forms of homelessness. In London, our day centres will offer an open door for guests to find year-round support, giving people the chance to take the first steps towards ending their homelessness.
With the help of our partners and volunteers, we’ll provide essential healthcare services including GP and nurse appointments, eye and ear tests, physiotherapy and foot care. Our Crisis at Christmas centres will also bring a touch of joy and celebration, with activities, entertainment and community to help guests feel truly valued and part of something special. We’re also introducing a new offer to provide more safety for women who are experiencing homelessness.
In addition, we’ll be providing people most in need with their own hotel room, giving them vital time to get dedicated advice and support from our lead workers.
We’ll also be providing dedicated specialist support and companionship to people facing homelessness across England, Scotland and Wales. Our teams will work side by side with partners and volunteers, to reach people facing homelessness this Christmas. Together, we’ll deliver food, essentials and over 1,500 winter packs filled with vital items such as food and gift cards for toiletries. We’ll provide warmth and companionship to people facing homelessness across Britain at our day centres through wellbeing days, activity sessions and face-to-face help and advice. Plus, we’ll offer much-needed services such as GP appointments, haircuts and eye tests.
In Christmas 2024, we provided over 5,500 people with support. This was made possible by an incredible team of over 3,500 volunteers, who came together to provide a lifeline to those facing homelessness over the festive period.
We provided hotel accommodation to more than 600 people, who would otherwise have been sleeping rough in London. This support included hot meals, health and wellbeing services such as GPs, opticians and hairdressers, and specialist advice on benefits and housing. We also supported thousands more people in insecure accommodation across England, Wales and Scotland, providing warmth, companionship, food and advice.
The demand for our services was extremely high. This is against a context of rising homelessness, with over 270,000 households in Britain experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including spending night after night on friends’ and families’ sofas, stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation like nightly paid B&B’s, or sleeping on the streets.
Thanks to our supporters, we work with people every day of the year to support them on their journeys out of homelessness. We know that with the right support, at the right time, thousands of people can start building their lives beyond homelessness.
In Christmas 2024, we provided ongoing support and advice, health and wellbeing services and food to 3,700 people across England, Wales and Scotland through our Crisis Skylight centres.
