As many of us prepare for a Christmas filled with time spent with loved ones, gift giving and a home cooked Christmas dinner, reality is very different for people without somewhere safe and secure to call their home.

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Crisis at Christmas, which sees the charity provide vital food, warmth and companionship to those experiencing homelessness at one of the toughest times of the year.

When it all started, just 20 volunteers helped Crisis hold its first ‘open Christmas’ at a church in central London, providing food and support services for people sleeping rough. Sadly, 50 years later, Crisis is needed more than ever at Christmas and all-year-round, to help people on their journey out of homelessness.

This year has been difficult for us all as we slowly emerge from the pandemic and many of us facing mounting financial pressure. At least 200,000 people are expected to face the worst forms of homelessness this Christmas with many experiencing it for the first time. No one should be forced to live, or spend Christmas, shivering on the streets, sofa surfing with strangers or in a hostel with nowhere to call home and no-one to be with.

Crisis will be providing vital services and support this Christmas through their Skylight centres across the country. This ranges from offering nutritional food and festive treats, wellbeing packs and entertainment activities to providing guidance, health support and befriending services to those experiencing homelessness. Most importantly, Christmas also introduces people to the year-round training, education and support Crisis can offer.

But we urgently need your help. To ensure Crisis can be there for everyone who needs support this Christmas, we’re calling on readers to support their work. That’s why we’re asking you to join us in raising vital funds so whether you donate or give someone a Crisis Christmas, you’ll be helping to ensure that this festive season those facing homelessness are not alone.

To find out more or to donate to Crisis this Christmas please visit www.crisis.org.uk/support

Al Doyle, Crisis Ambassador Alastair Stewart OBE, Crisis Ambassador Ayo Akinwolere, Crisis Ambassador Ellie Goulding, Crisis Ambassador Imelda Staunton CBE, Crisis Ambassador Sir Jonathan Pryce CBE, Crisis Ambassador Jo Brand, Crisis Ambassador