Crisis at Christmas are holding their annual event this December, and it is expected to be bigger than ever.
The event provides help for homeless people during the Winter months. Crisis offer support, companionship and vital services over the critical holiday period.
Sam Pagett, the Christmas coordinator for Crisis said: “The day will include activities, music workshops, singers, food and drink, bingo and quizzes.
Crisis at Christmas have expanded their event this year, by holding events during the week before Christmas.
“On the 19th will be our Wellbeing Day, which includes yoga, lunch, meditations and massages. On the 20th we will have hair and beauty drop in services, and finally on the 22nd we are offering health checks and a physiotherapy drop in service,” explained Sam.
“The idea came from the man who set up Crisis when seeing homeless people on the street during the Christmas period in London.”
“It runs very differently in London. It runs for a couple of weeks and they see over 3000 people. In Birmingham last year we had 46 people arrive, but this year we hope for 100.”
Speaking to a homeless man who has lived in Birmingham his whole life, he explained: “With no communication, we don’t hear about these events. Some of us go to centres for help and food, so this way you can find out, but a majority don’t bother. It is a nice thought though.”
Volunteers give up their time on Christmas to make someone without a home enjoy their day.
Crisis is looking for volunteers to help make the event a success. The tasks include welcoming the guests, serving drinks and food and making sure the day goes according to plan.
“The homeless are very happy to have company on an otherwise very isolating day. Part of curing homelessness is breaking that cycle of isolation; this is why it is so important for us.”
“Home should be a place of safety, warmth, protection and belonging. Being homeless means losing all that, and shouldn’t happen to anyone.”
The average age of death for someone who is homeless is just 47, 30 years lower than the general population.
“Crisis understand that everyone is different, with different reasons for becoming homeless. Therefore, they treat each guest as an individual, and aim to give them help they need.”
Images from http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/crisis-at-christmas-birmingham.html
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