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.
Every year, Crisis at Christmas opens its doors to people who need our support, offering warmth, accommodation, healthcare, food and specialist advice. This Christmas we worked with over 6,600 people facing homelessness through our day centres and hotels in London, and Crisis Skylight centres across Britain.
This support was made possible by our supporters, partners, and an incredible team of over 3,660 volunteers, who came together to provide a lifeline to those facing homelessness over the festive period. We know that with the right support, at the right time, thousands of people can start building their lives beyond homelessness.
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.
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.
6,600 people supported through our day centres, hotels in London and Crisis Skylight centres
335 festive hampers delivered
3,660 dedicated volunteers gave their time
578 people accommodated in hotels
"I was sleeping rough for six months. But my first day at Crisis helped me feel safe. It was like a weight had been lifted. Now I can focus on my future.” Michelle, Crisis at Christmas 2022 guest and one of our 2023 Christmas appeal storytellers
Thousands of people experiencing homelessness needed support over Christmas. 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 26% in the last year.
In 2023, we took over three hotels across London and accommodated more than 570 people who would otherwise have been sleeping rough over Christmas. Combined with many more who received support through our day centres in the capital and frontline services across Britain, we supported more than 6,600 people experiencing homelessness last Christmas.
Your donations to the Crisis at Christmas charity appeal make this support possible.
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.
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.
