Crisis is preparing to support over 7,000 people facing
homelessness this Christmas as the charity expects high demand
for its services
Today (Thursday 7th December), star of hit Netflix
series The Crown, Imelda Staunton, Game of
Thronesactor, Sophie Turner, Bridgerton actor,
Simone Ashley and The Bear actor, Will Poulter, joined
national homelessness charity Crisis to help with preparations
for the opening of the charity’s Christmas services, which will
be providing vital support to people facing homelessness over the
festive period.
Imelda - who is also a Crisis Ambassador – was joined by her
daughter and Bridgerton actor, Bessie Carter, and fellow
The Crown actor, Sam Phillips, at the charity’s
warehouse in London. The group got stuck into a range of tasks,
including preparing packs of essential items, such as toiletries
and warm winter clothing, as well as writing Christmas cards and
sorting through food donations to be distributed to guests when
they arrive at Crisis’ services.
In just under two weeks, the charity will be taking over three
hotels in London that will accommodate over 570 people who would
otherwise be sleeping rough. Crisis will also be opening day
centres across the capital that will support people in insecure
accommodation such as hostels and B&Bs. All told, through
their year-round services, hotels and health and wellbeing
programmes, Crisis expects to help over 7,000 people this
Christmas.
The warehouse is an integral part of Crisis at Christmas and is
where all the vital donations including food, clothing,
toiletries, games and activities are organised ahead of being
distributed out to Crisis’ Christmas services across
Britain.
Crisis estimates that over 250,000 households across Britain are
currently experiencing the worst forms of homelessness – from
sleeping on the streets, in cars or on public transport to sofa
surfing and being trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
In these tough economic times, homelessness has risen sharply in
the last 12 months and so the charity is anticipating
particularly high demand for its services this year.
Imelda Staunton, Actress and Crisis Ambassador,
said: “It’s been wonderful to be in the beating heart of
Crisis at Christmas and help with vital preparations for the
opening of their services later this month. Every detail – from
the welcome packs received by guests on their first day, to the
food donations for their Christmas dinner – is crucial in helping
Crisis support people to leave homelessness behind this festive
season. I urge anyone who can to join me in supporting Crisis, so
they can be there for anyone who needs them, this Christmas and
beyond.”
Matt Downie, Crisis Chief Executive, said: “No
one should have to spend Christmas without the security of a safe
home. Yet thousands of households across the country are now
experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including sleeping
on the streets, spending night after night on friends and
families' sofas or stuck in crowded B&Bs and hostels.
“This Christmas, we’ll once again be doing all we can to support
people as they start their journey out of homelessness. Behind
every life-changing moment for our guests are these vital
preparations - our Christmas services simply wouldn’t be possible
without volunteers like Imelda, Sophie, Simone and Will, and
hundreds of others, who dedicate their time to ensure people
experiencing homelessness aren’t alone this Christmas. We’re
extremely grateful to them all for being here today, and to all
our generous supporters, as only by working together will we
ensure that thousands can leave homelessness behind for good.”
