Meet the Philanthropy team

Alice Parsons - Head of Philanthropy

I joined Crisis in November 2020, inspired by the charity’s incredible response to the pandemic. The previous winter, I had volunteered with The Genesis Trust in Bath, collecting unwanted winter clothing for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This opened my eyes to the scale of the problem in England, revealing the ‘invisible homeless’ and the shocking inequality – and injustice - within our society, right under our noses.  

I’ve worked in fundraising for over ten years, in charities and higher education. During that time, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know some incredibly committed supporters, who have taught me that philanthropy isn’t just about money; it’s about taking a risk and believing in someone, about challenging the status quo and believing in a better society for all.  

The team here at Crisis are brilliant. No matter what their role is, or at which level, everyone is 100% committed to ending homelessness. I find that quite remarkable, and it’s a real inspiration. 

Lucy Cresswell - Senior Philanthropy Lead

‘I have been working in the homelessness sector for 7 years now. My career has varied between street outreach, working early morning or late night shifts alongside people rough sleeping, to supporting people leaving prison with complex housing issues.

I’d always been aware of Crisis and had constantly been impressed by not only their innovative frontline work, but their progressive and outspoken campaigning. Crisis has always stood out to me as an organisation that is fearlessly fighting for the rights of homeless people across the UK.

I have worked here for almost 5 years now and before I was part of our fundraising team, I was working as a Housing Coach in our Crisis Skylight London centre. My time within that team has given me first-hand experience of the important impact that Crisis has on our members. We are only able to continue that work through support from our incredible donors, so I feel privileged to now be in the position to speak with them every day and show them just how their support is changing lives.

Jon Houlihan - Philanthropy Manager (The Giving Club)

'I joined Crisis in late 2020, having previously worked at Cancer Research UK and a fundraising consultancy. I've been passionate about social justice for a long time and was hugely inspired by the breadth of Crisis' ambition, as well as the warmth and compassion of the team here.

It's unacceptable that anyone in our country doesn't have a safe place to call home, but for so many people to be experiencing the indignity of homelessness is a disgrace. I don't ever want to live in a society that considers it to be 'normal' or 'okay' that people are forced to sofa-surf, sleep rough, or live out of temporary accommodation.

We know what it will take to end homelessness, and how to get there, so I'm really excited to be managing the Journeys Home Fund (Crisis' first giving club). Collaborating with Crisis' incredible supporter community to ensure that our front-line staff can deliver the best possible service for our members is a real privilege, and I'm humbled every day by the stories that people share with us.'

Laura Pugh - Philanthropy Account Manager

When I was in my 20’s I spent a year working for a radio station in Cork. During this time, we broadcast a series of stories narrated by people experiencing homelessness around the city. A doctor, a refugee, a grandfather, a postgraduate, every story was unique, yet a common thread emerged – none of them ever expected to find themselves forced into homelessness and now that they were, they felt unseen, unheard, unacknowledged.

Now, 10 years later, I am so proud to be a part of Crisis’ mission to end homelessness for good.

Based just around the corner from our London Skylight, I have the privilege of working with the charity’s most philanthropic donors, maximising the impact their support can have on achieving this goal.

I love fundraising, I love helping to make a difference to the lives of others. What motivates me when it gets tough? well, I return to a quote I first heard in Cork all those years ago - ‘the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members’ (Gandhi)

Bea Theakston - Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy

'I joined Crisis in January 2017 because I was drawn to be part of this movement to end homelessness. I’ve spent the last 15 years working for charities all doing vital work across a range of social issues; predominantly mental health and disability, but it was the scale of ambition and vision at Crisis, to really end homelessness, not just manage it, that made me realise my place was here.

No one in 21st century Britain should be without a safe secure place to live. We know how to end homelessness, what it will cost, and ultimately, what it will save us as a society, and now we’re working tirelessly to get there.

But it’s not just the longer-term vision and plan that inspires me, it’s how we, as Crisis, work alongside some of the most vulnerable, traumatised, yet talented, skilled, warm-hearted, and passionate people on their journey out of homelessness for good. Seeing what we can achieve together, every day, makes it a real privilege to be part of Crisis.

Leah Voller - Philanthropy Administrator

'My sister was born profoundly deaf and since a young age, I have worked with and volunteered for charities that aim to remove barriers and inequalities for children and adults with disabilities.

Over the last few years, I've had the opportunity to work with housing charities and learned of the shocking number of just how many people in the UK face inequalities and injustices each day in having a home of their own. I was and still am in awe of Crisis' energy and commitment to ending homelessness for good and therefore was over the moon to join the Philanthropy team in July 2021. A home shouldn't be a privilege, it's a right and the passion and motivation my colleagues show each day to ensure homelessness ends for everyone in the UK is so inspiring. It's incredible to be working with supporters who have that same passion and commitment and who will help us make a change for good.'

If you'd like to get in touch with any of the team, please email us at philanthropy@crisis.org.uk

Article date: 03.11.22