The Crisis Magazine, Summer 2023
Donate nowWe're delighted to bring you the latest issue of Together, the online magazine for Crisis supporters.
We'll bring you stories and updates to show how we’re all working together to end homelessness – you, our members and everyone at Crisis.
If you have a few minutes please complete the survey at the end; we’d love to hear what you think of the magazine.
From all of us at Crisis, thank you. We couldn’t do any of this without you. — Sarah, Editor
We regulated the rogues! A new law to help thousands of people facing homelessness in Britain has been passed in Parliament as a result of Crisis’ Regulate the Rogues campaign.
At the moment, many people with support needs live in housing known as “exempt” accommodation. In exempt accommodation, landlords can charge higher rent when also providing support. But thousands of people experiencing homelessness are living in unsafe, squalid homes while their rogue landlords profit - without providing the help they're supposed to.
That’s why Crisis has been working to introduce legislation to stop landlords exploiting this system. After months of pressure from Crisis supporters, a Bill that will bring in new laws to root out rogue landlords and protect people living in exempt accommodation has passed its final stage in Parliament. This is a huge campaign win and is all down to our incredible supporters! When we work together, we can achieve huge change.
Last year, we celebrated an end to the criminalisation of homelessness in England and Wales as the Vagrancy Act of 1824 was finally repealed. Crisis has campaigned for repeal since the early 1990s and we wouldn’t have been able to succeed without the help of our supporters.
Unfortunately, while the repeal may be law, it does not yet have a start date. Worse, the Government has also published an Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan which outlines plans to replace the Vagrancy Act with a modern equivalent.
We need your help again to stop the criminalisation of homelessness, so please sign our petition today.
When Aaron’s relationship ended, he was left with no option but to sofa surf. “Sofa surfing was really unsteady. I could have been chucked out at any time. I never knew what was going to happen. I was living out of a suitcase or a bag.’’
Finally, he got a place in a hostel, and a friend told him about Crisis. “It was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. I can just imagine me finally being able to sit down and nobody can kick me out.”
Aaron has moved out of the hostel into a rented property now and finished courses he was doing with Crisis. “I’d like to thank the staff in the hostel. And Crisis. They supported me for months. They’ve been so helpful – they’re the ones that got me where I am today.”
The Crisis Skylight in London has worked with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for over a decade. Paula, Head of Learning at the London Skylight centre, shares more about how it went this year.
“The project involves LPO musicians coming to the Skylight for a week-long residency. They work with our members to write and create original music based on this year’s theme, then perform at the Royal Festival Hall. They write poems, sing and play instruments.
“This project really has gone from strength to strength. It’s very inclusive and there’s no requirement for any musical ability – just a passion for music. There’s no issue for people who are just learning English. The project works to people’s individual talents, and they are encouraged to utilise the skills they have.
“Every person in the project worked incredibly hard and deserved their standing ovation on the day. The concert was so moving and so beautiful. We cannot overestimate what that does for someone whose experience of homelessness has left them feeling invisible.”
Crisis Creates in partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra is supported by Scops Arts Trust.
William* was in a difficult situation when he came to the Birmingham Skylight. He was experiencing homelessness while he applied for asylum. But thanks to supporters like you, our colleagues Alison, Marc and Bill were able to work together as a team to help William in a time of need.
Bill says, “Taking that kind of bigger, holistic picture and taking the long term view, I think those are both really important factors especially for William. If it hadn’t been for Crisis being with him, he just would have fallen through because there’s no one really that leads them all the way through this process.”
*This is a story of a real member's experience but we have changed his name to protect his privacy.
Lloyds Banking Group and Crisis have joined forces in an exciting new two-year partnership to help tackle the chronic shortage of good quality, affordable homes. We’re also delighted to tell you that the new London Skylight centre is on track to be opened soon – and it’s all funded by generous supporters like you. Click to find out more:
Bee volunteers in our retail shop in Islington, using her passion for fashion to help change the lives of thousands of people.
“Charity shops have been my hobby since I was a kid. Everything I’m wearing today is from this store,” says Bee, 29, who has been a volunteer since September 2022.
“One Sunday I was buying something in here and I said, ‘Can I be a volunteer?’ They said, ‘Yes, just fill in the application.’ Now I’m here every Saturday and I love it. Instead of spending half an hour trying on clothes I spend all morning selling them.
“I find volunteering for Crisis very relaxing. When I’ve had a long week, it’s something to look forward to. I have a good time and I’m helping out.”
Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers! Find out more about volunteering.
could provide a warm welcome to a Crisis service and help someone take their first steps out of homelessness.
could support someone to access volunteering opportunities, helping them to connect with their community and gain valuable work experience.
could provide someone with the basic essentials they need to settle into a home, such as a kettle, pans and microwave.
Or
a month could help could pay for personal hygiene items to support someone’s dignity and self-worth.
a month could help provide someone with information and advice to support their journey out of homelessness.
a month could help fund one of our support workers to help someone budget and manage their expenses as they settle into their new home.
a month could help provide someone with one-to-one support in finding a secure place to live, so they leave homelessness for good.
Or
Photo credits: Angela Franklin, Kimi Gill, Fran Hales, Rob Melen, Sam Mellish, Max Miechowski, Donna Riddington