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Crisis at Christmas Appeal

This Christmas can be the beginning of life beyond homelessness. Each year Crisis at Christmas opens its doors to thousands of people experiencing homelessness. Find out more about the impact our Christmas appeal has and how you can get involved.

What is Crisis at Christmas?

Since 1967, the Crisis at Christmas charity appeal has been supporting those of us experiencing homelessness at Christmas. Every year, with your help, we mobilise a unique volunteering effort to provide warmth, companionship, and vital services to people facing homelessness at one of the toughest times of the year.

Over that time we’ve learnt a lot about homelessness and how we can help end it. Our support over this period is not a temporary fix and the first day someone spends with us this Christmas isn’t the last. Our Christmas services work alongside the specialist support we provide all year, which includes helping people facing homelessness to find their own stable home, to access education and training. 

 

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How many people are facing homelessness this Christmas?

This Christmas, thousands of people experiencing homelessness will need support. Nearly a quarter of a million households across England are now experiencing the worst forms of homelessness. That includes rough sleeping, sofa surfing and staying in unsuitable temporary accommodation like B&Bs.

Rough sleeping alone has increased in England by 27% in the last year.

This year we will again be providing hotel rooms across London for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough over Christmas. Combined with many more who will receive support through our day centres in the capital and frontline services across Britain, we will be supporting more than 6,000 people experiencing homelessness this Christmas.

Your donations to the Crisis at Christmas charity appeal make this support possible.

 

Donate to Crisis at Christmas

This year, by donating to our Crisis at Christmas charity appeal, you could help someone start their first day of a life beyond homelessness. Donate now to help provide food, care, housing advice and long-term support for people experiencing homelessness this Christmas.

Donate today

Volunteer for Crisis at Christmas

Volunteer with Crisis this Christmas and be there for someone as they start to build a life beyond homelessness. 

Whether you are the first person a guest meets when they walk through the door looking for support, or you provide a listening ear and companionship, you’ll be making a real difference to those experiencing homelessness this Christmas.

 

Christmas volunteering opportunities

Crisis at Christmas where you are

Find out what's going on in your area and how you can get involved in Crisis at Christmas this year, from volunteering opportunities to carol services - Christmas is well and truly here.

 

Christmas in Oxford

Christmas in Newcastle

Christmas in South Wales

Christmas in Birmingham

Christmas in Merseyside

Christmas in London

 

What difference did Crisis at Christmas make in 2023?

With the help of many generous supporters and over 3,660 dedicated volunteers, we provided hotel accommodation, hub services, food and wellbeing packs for people who were experiencing homelessness last Christmas. We supported 2,648 people attending day centres in London, 578 in hotel accommodation and a further 2,378 around the country. At multiple locations across the UK, our volunteers worked together to provide companionship, support and a wide range of vital services.

Real-life stories of people ending their experience of homelessness

Supported by Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank logo and Crisis logo

 

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