CRISIS IS THE NATIONAL CHARITY FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE We are determined to end homelessness. We do it person by person and by influencing policies to ensure everyone has a place to call home. Homelessness is devastating, leaving people vulnerable and isolated. Crisis offers ground breaking housing, health, education and employment services. We work with thousands of homeless people across the UK every year. We are determined campaigners. We draw on our research, partnerships and years of experience of working directly with homeless people to deliver change and a vision to end homelessness for good.
6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 HOW CRISIS WORKS HOUSING EMPLOYMENT EDUCATION HEALTH & WELLBEING ARTS CRISIS AT CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGNING HOMELESSNESS ENDS WITH YOU
HOW CRISIS WORKS Among the thousands of people we see every year, no two are the same. Homelessness happens for countless different, complex reasons. Like a relationship breakdown, escaping domestic violence, ill health or losing a job. And, once you re homeless, it can be hard to get back on your feet. At Crisis, we help each person we meet to address the obstacles they face. Our coaching, classes and services help people rebuild skills and confidence, regain financial independence and find a safe place to call home. 6 WHAT WE DO 7
LAWRENCE, OXFORD I ve flipped the coin over. From being homeless, to having a roof over my head and working full time. When his relationship broke down, Lawrence had nowhere to call home. He would spend his days working in a hospital and his nights walking around the city, sleeping on sofas or under benches. With the help of his Crisis housing coach, Lawrence was able to find a safe and stable home. Having a roof over his head has helped him concentrate on work and building a brighter future. HOUSING For many homeless people, private renting is the only way to find a home. Through coaching, classes and projects across the UK, Crisis gives people the tools and knowledge they need to find a rented house and make it into a home. We have developed a housing service that breaks down the barriers homeless people face when finding a rented home. Renting Ready training helps prospective tenants learn about budgeting and bills, finding flatmates or DIY. We work with landlords to ensure a supply of places to live both directly and through projects we support across the UK. 8 WHAT WE DO 9
EMPLOYMENT Lack of work is a major cause and consequence of homelessness. Having a job brings financial stability, self-respect and independence; losing it can be soul destroying. Crisis employment coaches help people find their own route towards a new job or career. Eighty per cent of homeless people say they want to get back into work. Crisis helps people on that journey, from confidence building and CV workshops, to mock interviews and help buying smart work clothes. Our Changing Lives Grants open doors for clients, helping them to pay for courses or equipment to get started in the world of work. MALINDIE, COVENTRY To say I ve come a long way is a massive understatement. Malindie left home at the age of 14. She has fallen in and out of homelessness ever since. At the age of 40, when she was forced to give up her home again, Malindie turned to Crisis. Attending the Crisis women s group helped her build her confidence. From there, she successfully applied for a Crisis Changing Lives Grant to create her own cleaning business. Today, she is looking forward to growing her business and saving money to find a new home. 10 WHAT WE DO 11
MIKAEL, EDINBURGH Crisis is a role model because they put quality back into my life. Mikael s life changed when he was diagnosed with cancer and then lost his home. After sleeping on the streets for five weeks, he was determined to move on. Crisis helped Mikael find a new home and attending classes helped him regain social skills and connect with people. Although he is unable to work, Mikael is now concentrating on sharing the quality-of-life that Crisis gave him by helping local gardening projects in his community. EDUCATION Lack of skills and qualifications can lead people to become and stay homeless, isolated from society, work and independence. Education is at the heart of Crisis supporting people to build knowledge and skills, grow in confidence and feel more positive about the future. Many Crisis clients say their formal education was incomplete. From literacy and numeracy, to millinery and music, Crisis classes break the cycle of homelessness. They provide routine and purpose and equip people with skills for work and life. Vocational courses, such as tiling or plumbing can be a step into work. 12 WHAT WE DO 13
HEALTH & WELLBEING Being homeless is devastating for a person s mental and physical health. Crisis helps people rebuild their health and wellbeing through classes, social activities and personal coaching. Six out of ten homeless people suffer from loneliness. Coming to Crisis classes can be a chance to re-connect socially. Our health and wellbeing coaches help people identify specific challenges and rebuild the selfesteem shattered by homelessness. As well as offering one-to-one support, Crisis helps people to access GPs, get new glasses or get specialist help with addiction or other complex health issues. NEWCASTLE ALLOTMENT PROJECT It s not just the allotment that s grown, it s our clients confidence The award-winning Green Fingers Allotment Project in Newcastle provides clients with the chance to boost social skills and redevelop the self-confidence that can be lost during the turmoil of homelessness. Participants work alongside a tutor to develop a gardening plot in the city. Clients benefit from the tranquil surroundings while gaining qualifications. The produce collected has been used in Café from Crisis Newcastle, a training café run by Crisis for the local community. 14 WHAT WE DO 15
DAN, MERSEYSIDE Thanks to the support I ve received from Crisis, the future s looking bright. Dan became homeless at the age of 20, after his family was evicted. For nine months, he lived in a hostel. Dan got involved in Crisis creative writing classes, eventually showcasing his writing during the Art in Crisis festival. From feeling invisible and isolated, Dan is now living independently and works full time in the hostel where he used to live. ARTS Confidence and motivation suffer without the security of a home. Making art can spark a sense of self, producing focus and an outlook on the future. Crisis art activities help people find their place in the world and can build the self-esteem needed to move into education, volunteering or employment. The annual Art in Crisis festival sees hundreds of people, who have used Crisis services across the UK, celebrate art, its role in society and in ending homelessness. And all year round, museum tours, theatre performances and other activities help our clients engage with society, culture and one another. 16 WHAT WE DO 17
CRISIS AT CHRISTMAS One in four homeless people spends Christmas alone. A lifeline for thousands of people across the UK, Crisis at Christmas offers support, companionship and vital services over the festive season. In addition, we encourage guests to take up the life-changing opportunities on offer all year round at our centres across the country. Each year more than 10,000 volunteers donate their time to cut hair, lead karaoke sessions, scrub potatoes, perform medical examinations or just have a cup of tea and a chat. For many, the respite of Crisis at Christmas provides an opportunity to focus on the future and talk to specialist advisors about issues like housing and employment. CORKY, LONDON When somebody feels valued, it enables that person then to be able to look at opportunities. Corky became homeless when his marriage broke down and he lost his small business. For five years, he slept on trains and kept his homelessness hidden from view. Coming to Crisis at Christmas helped Corky feel like he was able to move on. From having his hair cut to getting housing advice, the experience helped him to look to a new kind of future. Today he is living independently again. 18 WHAT WE DO 19
TO CHANGE THE LAW No One Turned Away calls for a review of help for homeless people in England. Homeless people in England can be turned away with little or no help by councils if they are not considered a priority, even though they have nowhere else to stay. CAMPAIGNING Ending homelessness takes more than changing individual lives. Working with thousands of campaigners, many of whom have experienced homelessness, Crisis aims to change our world to stop people becoming homeless in the first place. Our independence grants us not just the ability, but also the responsibility to be fearless and say what needs to be said to help homeless people. Whether we re calling for legal reform to ensure all homeless people get the help they need, or fighting to protect vital funding, support and services, our campaigns draw on research our experience of working directly with thousands of homeless people. Backed by countless campaigners, including people who have experienced homelessness, the No One Turned Away campaign calls for every homeless person who approaches their council to get the help they need. Get behind the campaign: www.crisis.org.uk/nooneturnedaway 20 WHAT WE DO 21
HOMELESSNESS ENDS WITH... DONATIONS Your donation makes a huge difference for homeless people. Without your support, we couldn t provide our life-changing services. CAMPAIGNING Add your voice to our campaigns to end homelessness. With your support we can deliver change and a vision to end homelessness. FUNDRAISING VOLUNTEERING Joining a fundraising event or setting up your own is fun and could raise vital funds to help us run our services. Crisis relies on the generous support of thousands of volunteers at Christmas and all year round. FIND OUT MORE AT www.crisis.org.uk or call 0300 636 1967 22
Crisis 66 Commercial Street London E1 6LT 0800 038 4838 www.crisis.org.uk @crisis_uk /crisis.homeless 10/16 Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094.