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.
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 250,000 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 2024, as well as the Crisis hotels, we opened day centres across London in late December. Our Christmas day centres in the capital provided over 1,450 people with warmth, food, advice and dedicated support to help them on their journeys out of homelessness.
Many services are closed during the Christmas week, so Crisis can offer a vital lifeline to people on the brink or experiencing 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.
Through specialist one-to-one advice, and support with housing, employment and wellbeing, we help people start their life beyond homelessness.
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