“This week I have felt so proud to be part of Crisis…we are individuals coming together. Nothing seems too much trouble for anyone in any department. If they can help you, they will.”
One of the Crisis Case Management Team.
Across Crisis, people are doing amazing things to support our members, volunteers and staff, and to play their part in supporting efforts across the sector to safeguard people facing homelessness from the coronavirus.
Our staff are also continuing to be an inspiration, with their resolve to support homeless people, and adapt how they work in order they do this.
Two weeks ago, we took the tough decision to close our shops, but since then the teams have been working at our warehouse (and carefully observing social distancing!) to put packs together for people moving off the streets and into shelters for self-isolation. The packs include clothes, water bottles, towels and activity books to help people keep occupied.
Now that local authorities are working to shelter everyone currently sleeping rough, these packs have been needed more than ever.
Frontline staff have also been incredible with adapting services to give the best support to members. Where possible, we’re providing our services by phone, over email and through other online approaches.
The following is just some of the feedback from our staff this week:
“This week I have felt so proud to be part of Crisis…My week started with me needing to take immediate action to get a member isolated after disclosing coronavirus symptoms. Initially the council did not accept that the member had a duty to be housed.
I worked closely with staff in the shelter where the member had been staying, to pull together and put pressure on the council to take appropriate action. Even when this happened we were faced with fresh challenges as the accommodation had no furniture, heating, lighting or food. Whilst the council at the moment, they were completely overwhelmed with demand.
Luckily the Crisis Christmas warehouse team delivered a mattress, bedding, toiletries and even food so that this person could isolate safely. For me, that sums Crisis up. We are individuals coming together. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for anyone in any department. If they can help you, they will and that’s what makes me so proud to be part of this organisation.”
Crisis Case Management team member
Article date 02.04.20