James' story

"I was motivated to volunteer at the Crisis Archway shop after seeing all the people in my neighbourhood during winter with no roof over their heads. Crisis at Christmas used my secondary school as a day centre at weekends; people could get a meal, blankets and be somewhere they wouldn’t freeze to death. Seeing hope in their eyes made me want to volunteer with Crisis. 

"Volunteering with Crisis has changed my life. The volunteer community is like a family – we may be in different boroughs and different shops, but we’re all one Crisis. 

"I love seeing the happy faces of people who buy products donated by other people – seeing that something isn’t discarded forever, it can be turned into something brand new by just one person. And knowing that my part in that community is helping someone to perhaps not stay on the streets forever – that gives me a feeling of happiness."