Meet Gail, Crisis supporter and former volunteer.

My name is Gail, I was born and raised in Guyana and moved to the USA for graduate school. Then in 2011, I moved to the UK with my husband. I now work in immigration compliance. I experienced housing insecurity when I was younger and can empathise with anyone facing a similar situation.

Homelessness has always been an issue I’ve cared about.

Growing up in Guyana, I experienced a period of housing and food insecurity. And I’ve seen first-hand the challenges people face when they can’t rely on a roof over their head. Those memories have always stayed with me.

When I first moved to the UK, I hadn’t expected housing insecurity and homelessness to be such a big problem. In a country like Britain, with all the support systems available, I was surprised at the extent of the issue. It certainly wasn’t the impression I’d got from the television. And of course, the weather we have here in the UK. The cold and wet makes being without a home so much more challenging for people.

Charitable causes are important to me and my husband. We value empathy and kindness for others and believe you don’t have to be wealthy to leave something to those who need it. For me, it’s important to help in whatever way I can.

Not long after we came to the UK, we heard about Crisis at Christmas through the Big Issue and decided we should volunteer. It was such an incredible experience. We met lots of wonderful people and continued volunteering for a number of years before my husband became ill, and it was no longer possible.

I like the way Crisis supports and empowers people so they can rebuild their lives. When I was no longer able to volunteer, I continued donating now and then. Leaving a gift in my Will was another way I knew I could make a difference.

Homelessness is a complex issue, but it comes down to the fairness of our society.

There are so many reasons someone could find themselves without a home – the pressures of high rent, low wages, relationship breakdown, mental health problems, addiction – and there isn’t a simple answer.

And now, with the cost of living crisis, even more people are under pressure. When renting privately is so precarious even for working people, we need more protection for people living in insecure accommodation. And more support to help people who have lost their homes to get back on their feet quickly. I know that Crisis are campaigning for the policies that will prevent homelessness – to me that’s the kind of long-term solution we desperately need.

I hope my gift to Crisis will help them continue supporting the people who need it most. I’ve seen how hard it can be to experience housing insecurity and I want to make a difference for someone who might one day find themselves in that situation.

If you wish to find out more information about leaving a gift in your Will, contact George Shelley on george.shelley@crisis.org.uk or 07814 654362.