crisis impact report 2012

Standing strong in a time of crisisImpact Report 2011/12

Homelessness ends here

ContentsForeword 2Our year in numbers 3Crisis around the UK – Inspiration, support and a way ahead 6Education – Possibilities, pathways and facing the future 8Employment – Confidence, experience and a route to work 10Housing – Support, action and a place to call home 12Health and wellbeing – Listening, care and focussed support 14Crisis at Christmas – Comfort, guidance and new beginnings 16Influencing – Campaigning, challenging and tackling homelessness 18Volunteering – Skills, compassion and reaching out 20Thank you – Supporting our work 22 Moving forward – Our plans for 2012/13 24Financial summary 27

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change.

Our innovative education, employment, housing and wellbeing services address individual needs and help homeless people to transform their lives. We measure our success and can demonstrate tangible results and value for money.

We are determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and advocating solutions informed by research and our direct experience.

We have ambitious plans for the future and are committed to help more people in more places across the UK. We know we won’t end homelessness overnight or on our own. But we take a lead, collaborate with others and together make change happen.


About the cover Homeless Man, created by Yinka Shonibare MBE, is one of the unique works of art created for The Crisis Commission, an exhibition featuring pieces on the theme of homelessness by some of the world’s most celebrated artists and homeless people themselves. The exhibition held at Somerset House, London attracted more than 11,000 people and an incredible £500,000 was raised at the subsequent Christie's auction to support our work. The event costs were generously met by GlaxoSmithKline. To find out more turn to page 23. Cover image: Shaun Bloodworth

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Watch live video on the page Where you see this symbol, you can use your smartphone to watch videos featuring our clients right on the page. Simply: • Download the Aurasma Lite app (iPhone 4, iPad 2, Android 2.2 and above) from the App Store or Google Play. • Scroll to the search tool and subscribe to the Crisis Impact Report channel. You will be asked to register your email address at this point.• Where you see this icon in the report, point the app at the whole page and watch it spring to life. • Double-click on the video to make it full screen.

Crisis Skylight Oxford, which opened in November 2011, is proud to offer a full range of activities, services and support to our clients.

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Crisis Impact Report 2011/12 1

Foreword Our year in numbers

Crisis is a growth industry. This is not where we want to be. It means that homelessness is growing in unkind economic circumstances. Every indicator of homelessness shows an upward trend. More rough sleepers have been seen in virtually all parts of the country. More people have gone to their local authority for help to find a home. At the same time there are long-term rising trends for hidden homelessness (concealed, sharing, overcrowded households). We published research this year capturing these trends and other research which forcibly reminds us of the impact homelessness has on individuals – the average age of death is 47.

Anxious for the futureThe long legacy of inadequate supply of affordable housing, high unemployment levels and reductions in welfare benefits are driving this growth. We are anxious about the future for individuals and families on the edge of homelessness. We are apprehensive about the chances of finding permanent housing solutions for people who are already homeless.

To respond to this unacceptable situation we are expanding our own services and working more closely with other organisations to find and present solutions.

This year we opened new Crisis Skylight education, training and employment centres in Oxford and Merseyside. Our Oxford centre combines an arts centre with a vibrant place of learning while Merseyside provides an outreach service in the places our clients live or congregate including hostels across the region. Plans are afoot for an expanded service in Edinburgh and for new centres in Coventry and Sheffield.

Through 129 local partners, and backed by the Department for Communities and

Local Government, we have helped 1,961 people find homes in the private rented sector. Our reputation and experience also makes us a model of best practice across England and Scotland.

Moving forwardWe have introduced new services within our centres for people with mental health needs and an extended coaching service to help people find work. We have expanded our links to creative and to vocational opportunities in particular with a new service in Bermondsey in South London.

Our income has grown more than expected with long-term supporters remaining loyal and new ones joining our cause. These supporters have not just donated money they have joined our campaigns using old methods and new – petitions and Twitter. We are so grateful to them and to our 10,000-strong team of tireless volunteers who so generously support our work.

This was our 40th year delivering services for single homeless people over Christmas. Although this anniversary marked the lives helped and changed over the years it was also a salutary reminder that homelessness remains very much a part of our society. We will not rest until it has ended.

Our chair of 10 years, Sir David Bell, stood down in February 2012. He has seen the charity through a period of change and national expansion. This Impact Report reflects the energy and success that rests with people who are homeless and David's belief that Crisis should provide the spring that propels people out of homelessness.

We helped 302 unemployed single homeless people find jobs.

302 248

156

842

248 people received valuable healthcare assistance and advice at our London well-being weekend in June.

842 people gained 1,264 qualifications thanks to our work across the country.

Our campaigning persuaded 156 MPs to sign a parliamentary motion calling for the Government to do more to tackle homelessness. Pictured left is Crisis client Sacha, talking with Housing Minister Grant Shapps MP.

More than 17,000 people joined our e-campaigns to persuade the Government to put the plight of single homeless people high on

the political agenda.

17,000

Steve Holliday Chair

Leslie MorphyChief executive

continuesimages: Jeff Hubbard, Sam Mellish, Andrew Meredith

2 Crisis Impact Report 2011/12 3

During our 40th Crisis at Christmas, we offered

our 3,200 guests warmth, companionship and 21,000 meals; 700

guests accessed our life-changing services.

3,200

Through our Private Rented Sector Access Development Programme 1,961 people were helped into new housing. Pictured above are clients of Penrose. Funded by Crisis, the Penrose PASS scheme helps to house ex-offenders and trains them in practical skills for house maintenance.

1,961

Our year in numbers

2,0002,000 runners took to the streets

of London for the 20th Crisis annual Square Mile Run and raised an amazing £116,000. Newsnight presenter Jeremy

Paxman waved them off.

40 walkers completed a 60-mile Walk to End Homelessness from Canterbury Cathedral to Southwark Cathedral in December to mark 40 years of Crisis at Christmas.

40“If I didn’t come to Crisis today I would probably be sitting in a room on my own feeling sorry for myself. I would have no one. I’d have nothing, but when I come to Crisis, I’ve got everything in front of me… I can’t say how amazing it is…”KevinGuest at our 40th Crisis at Christmas, December 2011

We are so grateful to the tens of thousands of

individual supporters who together donated £8.4

million during the year to support our vital work.

£8.4 million

images: Jeff Hubbard, Sam Mellish, Andrew Meredith, Penrose


Inspiration, support and a way aheadFor many single homeless and vulnerably-housed people our Crisis Skylight services represent both a lifeline and a pathway out of homelessness. They provide an inspirational mix of activities (creative and performing arts), structured and accredited education opportunities, a motivational employment service and personalised support. Here are just a few highlights from their work in 2011-2012.

Merseyside This new Skylight opened in October 2011 as an outreach service, offering education, training and employment opportunities. By the end of the year its dedicated team of tutors and coaches was working with 12 partner organisations in four local authority areas of Merseyside. More than 600 people are now using its services. Crisis Skylight Merseyside proudly celebrated its first term and graduation ceremony in December 2011.

BirminghamThe Adult Learning Engagement Project at Crisis Skylight Birmingham helped 79 homeless and vulnerably-housed people improve their confidence and self-esteem. Get Ready, a pilot pre-employment programme run by Crisis Skylight Birmingham and Business in the Community, has so far

resulted in 16 people completing a National Open College Network qualification. This enables the rebuilding of confidence and the gaining of key skills that will hopefully lead to meaningful paid employment.

OxfordThanks to our partnership with Oxford City Council and the charity Arts at the Old Fire Station, Crisis Skylight Oxford opened in November 2011. More than 1,000 people attended the launch event raising great awareness of our vital work; our new training café opened shortly afterwards in the same building. Eleven Oxford clients have been guided into employment so far; since January, 13 have become volunteers. We supported four of our clients with Changing Lives awards.

EdinburghCrisis Skylight Edinburgh launched an outreach programme of classes and activities in five hostels in the city in which nearly 100 people participated throughout the year. Work is also underway with the Scottish Qualifications Agency to ensure that Crisis is formally recognised as a centre for the delivery of courses within the Scottish Qualifications and Credit Framework. This recognition gives a level of quality assurance and control sought after by employers and educational establishments.

NewcastleTrainees from the Crisis Skylight Café were delighted to win gold, silver and bronze medals for their skills at the North East’s biggest showcase of culinary talent the NECTA Salon Culinaire in May. In tribute to its work in the region this enthusiastic Skylight received nearly £300,000 as a three-year grant from the Big Lottery Fund as part of its Reaching Communities grant – its drive to build stronger communities in the North East.

London Thanks to Crisis Skylight London, more than 650 people received one-to-one support leading to improved housing, progression into training and education and the taking up of volunteering opportunities, etc. Seventy seven people were given travel costs to their new jobs, work clothes and essential tools. The mental health of homeless people is under more pressure than ever and London's two mental health co-ordinators supported around 130 people throughout the year.

BermondseyThe Bermondsey Project is a new creative hub led by Crisis, based in a South East London warehouse. In partnership with Bow Arts we offer affordable studios for homeless people, we also run a gallery for public exhibitions and are developing more education and training opportunities in these premises.

Music performance, London.

Crisis Skylight Café, London. The Bermondsey Project gallery at Crisis Skylight Bermondsey.

Bike repair workshop, Oxford. Beauty courses, Merseyside.

Crisis around the UK

Crisis Skylight Edinburgh

Crisis Skylight Newcastle

Crisis Skylight Birmingham

Crisis Skylight Merseyside

Crisis Skylight Bermondsey

Crisis Skylight Oxford

Crisis Skylight London

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Possibilities, pathways and facing the futureBy guiding and encouraging homeless people who ask for our help to gain new skills and qualifications, we are working to reduce the isolation and powerlessness about the future they so often feel…

How did we do?Education outcomes 2011/12 (Our target for the year is in brackets)

4,040 people participated in a Crisis learning activity (3,787).

842 people gained accreditation (914).

1,264 qualifications were awarded across Crisis’ services (1,230).

415 people moved into further education/training having engaged with a Crisis service (426).

Crisis Skylight Centres opened for business and delivered full terms in Oxford and Merseyside.

New beginnings The opening of our two new Crisis Skylights in Merseyside and Oxford in autumn 2011, in addition to those in Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Newcastle, meant that we were able to help more people than ever before along the path to new skills and qualifications.

Many of our courses lead to accreditations that are much sought after in the workplace including: British Safety Council Certificates in Health and Safety in the Workplace, and the Oxford, Cambridge, RSA and CLAiT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) qualifications.

Creativity countsDeveloping creative skills is also central to the work we do and hundreds of art, film-making, dance, music and drama activities and courses were on offer throughout

Despite losing his home and his job in 2011, the future is now looking bright for Russell. He has a job, an offer of a university place and has just moved into a new home.

Crisis Skylight Merseyside had only been open a short time when Russell became one of 216 people using its services during its first eight weeks of term.

Seeing his obvious interest in art and film, tutors suggested he try courses in these areas. Russell told the Crisis staff about his background, that he was dyslexic and lacked confidence to develop the skills that would help him find more challenging jobs.

His tutors referred him to Skylight’s work and learning coach, as well as a Smart Skills tutor, to provide support developing his

literacy skills. Russell was encouraged to join more courses, including IT. Through attending courses and coaching, Russell grew in confidence and decided to apply to university.

His work and learning coach helped him tackle the university application forms for a media production degree. He also applied for a Crisis Changing Lives grant to pay for the computer equipment needed for his course. The Skylight team helped him gain the confidence to get his old job back to support himself while studying.

“I really feel I can use my artistic abilities to gain a career whether it’s in graphic art or film… I’d like to get a job that I enjoy and feel comfortable doing not just something I need to do to survive,” says Russell.

“In August I was informed I had no job and was redundant. Initially I looked for work and didn’t sign on for Job Seeker’s Allowance… I fell behind on my rent and lost my home.”Russell, Crisis Skylight Merseyside

“I’m trying to move on. I’ve done courses at Crisis and I’m pushing myself. I’ve done digital photography, food safety, maths and English, art and European Computer Driving Licence. I’m volunteering now and looking for work.”Charlie, Crisis Skylight Newcastle

the year across our centres. For some people art can be the best way to communicate the horrors of homelessness and is a really important step on the way to turning their lives around. Exhibitions featuring their work create a real sense of achievement.

In 2011-2012 Skylight artists exhibited alongside internationally renowned artists at The Crisis Commission, Somerset House; a major exhibition of artists from Crisis Skylight Newcastle was held at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. Our Crisis Skylight Bermondsey project provides homeless and vulnerably-housed artists with opportunities to access arts-based courses and training as well as their own studio spaces.

Samantha from Crisis Skylight Newcastle with her work at the BALTIC.

Russell’s story

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Confidence, experience and a route to work

Although Rob, from Birmingham is feeling positive and determined to get a job, he didn’t always feel this way. Rob became homeless for family reasons when he was just 18 years old. For six years he lived mostly on the streets battling problems with drugs, alcohol and the urge to self harm.

“I felt unwanted… You get dirty looks and the police move you on all the time. I had a push bike with all my things on it and I carried knives for protection. I used to hide in alley ways,” he explains.

All this changed last year when Rob moved into a hostel. He was referred to Crisis Skylight Birmingham and met Crisis work and learning coach Sharon and Smart Skills tutor Richard. They encouraged Rob to focus on his interest in catering, helping to develop his confidence, skills and qualifications. They also advised him of a volunteering opportunity with Midland Heart’s Frost and Snow – a local cupcake social enterprise – that helps homeless people get work experience.

Volunteering with either local employers or at Crisis provides an opportunity for clients to build confidence and their CVs before moving into employment.

Rob threw himself into all the tasks assigned to him. He is applying for permanent catering jobs and now has his own flat. With his enthusiasm and commitment we hope he will soon be joining the more than 300 people we helped find jobs last year.

“Sharon and Rich made me believe I could do things and that there were people who cared… Without Crisis I wouldn’t have done my food and hygiene course or known about Frost and Snow. If anyone has a chance to work with Crisis I would definitely recommend that they go for it,” says Rob.

So many of the people we help tell us how homelessness has shattered their lives, eroding their confidence, skills and ability to find jobs. Your continued support means we can help them along the road to employment…

How did we do?Employment outcomes 2011/12 (Our target for the year is in brackets)

302 people moved into work (302).

The Crisis Skylight Café opened in Oxford.

717 people participated in a vocational training programme (360).

36 people moved into employment with the help of a Changing Lives grant (35).

Successfully evaluated and wound-up the Ethical Enterprise and Employment (3xE) Network with lessons disseminated and organisations connected to ongoing support.

Inspiring action We are very proud of the ways we help put people like Rob on the road to employment.

Around 950 clients used our employment services in 2011/2012. Key to our success is the highly flexible, aspirational service provided by Crisis job coaches through which clients identify and set their own goals, agree an action plan and are supported to achieve it.

Employability skills activities include CV preparation, job search and mock interviews. We also give coaching and training in budgeting and debt management and a robust employability training programme. This features first aid, food hygiene, construction skills and GOALs – the motivational training programme that increases self-esteem and develops positive approaches.

Work on the menuOur Crisis Skylight Cafés, in London, Newcastle and Oxford helped 87 homeless people develop skills in the catering industry last year and 29 moved into paid employment. The cafés provide hands-on training in all kitchen and front-of-house tasks needed to work in the catering industry.

Building a networkThe Ethical Enterprise and Employment network, launched by Crisis in 2008, finished its work in April. It provided vital advice and support to around 290 organisations in how to develop social enterprises to help homeless people into employment.

“I’ve never refused any training I’ve been offered and now I have my first diploma in basic cookery and in September I’ll be starting my level two in professional cookery… I’m constantly trying to improve and better myself… I’ve got down to it now and want to be a French chef…Rob, Crisis Skylight Birmingham

“The level of commitment, enthusiasm and skills we get from Crisis clients is far and above the level we get from the general recruitment market.”Mat Berry, Connection Crew, London

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Rob’s story Craig, a trainee at Crisis Skylight Café Newcastle won a silver medal (canapés) and a merit (seafood starter) at the NECTA Salon Culinaire at Newcastle Civic Centre, May 2012.

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“I’m really passionate about homeless people now as I was a snob before [this happened to me], but you need to get out there and explain to people that it could happen to anybody. People live in their own little bubble and they think it’ll never happen to them, but most people are about a month’s salary away from losing their homes and becoming homeless.” Sue, Crisis Skylight Merseyside

Making vital linksThe funding, which helped Sue find a flat and pay for the deposit, was made possible by a £10.8 million three-year grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to our Private Rented Sector Access (PRS) Development Programme.

This year, through the programme we have supported 129 local partners to help 1,961 people like Sue find homes of their own in the private rented sector. We hope that by the end of March 2014, this initiative will have helped 8,000 people find decent, secure accommodation.

Well-targeted networking and sharing information is key to our success. In 2011-2012 more than 200 specialists from housing, not-for-profit and Government sectors attended our events throughout England.

Our website: www.privaterentedsector.org.uk is becoming an increasingly powerful and well-used information tool, attracting around 7,000 unique visits per month. Our Sustain research project with Shelter is gathering valuable evidence on the wellbeing of people housed in the private rented sector.

Practical helpCrisis Skylight progression teams assess clients’ needs and help them tackle any housing issues they face; such as by making referrals to outreach teams and hostels. This year the teams helped 207 people make improvements to their housing situation and in London our housing coaches helped 40 clients find, move into and sustain a private rented home.

It’s a little-known fact, but most single homeless people don’t have a right to accommodation. Finding a private flat can be their only option. We are committed to breaking down the barriers to housing that stand in their way…

A Crisis leaflet in a hostel, promoting our new Crisis Skylight Merseyside, was a real turning point for Sue, a former marketing executive.

Just a few months previously, Sue, her husband and son had been evicted from their family home of 20 years. Her redundancy and subsequent cancer and kidney problems, her husband’s ill health and early retirement, had crippled their ability to pay rent. The pressure and limited help from the local authority shattered her marriage and Sue found herself alone in a hostel wondering if she would ever have a place to call home again.

But the Crisis leaflet gave her hope. She contacted Clare, a work and learning coach at Crisis Skylight Merseyside, and they worked towards assessing Sue’s needs, rebuilding her future and supporting her quest for a new home.

To pay the deposit on private rented accommodation required by private landlords, Sue received support and a bond from the Whitechapel Centre. Whitechapel is one of the 128 private renting access schemes Crisis has funded throughout England. The bond meant enough money for the deposit required by her landlord.

A delighted Sue is now living in her flat, her health has improved and with Clare’s encouragement is now volunteering for Crisis on a regular basis.

“Crisis has been fantastic and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without them… Not only do they help you move on with a home, but also with education and looking for work… When I get a job I’ll still be volunteering for Crisis. I want to give something back,” says Sue.

Support, action and a place to call home

Crisis-funded PRS access schemes across England; London inset

How did we do?Housing outcomes 2011/12 (Our target for the year is in brackets)81 local organisations were funded to establish new services (80) enabling 418 single homeless people to establish tenancies in the private rented sector (500).

48 existing schemes were supported (48) that helped 1,543 people establish new tenancies in the private rented sector (1,200).

40 people were directly assisted by Crisis to find and move into a place to live in the private rented sector (53).

207 people were supported by a progression co-ordinator to improve their housing situation (145).

Recognised as a leading source of best practice for all those involved in England and Scotland in helping homeless people access accommodation in the private rented sector.

“I have my own key and no one can come in unless I have asked them to… I feel like a man again. You don’t feel like man when you are sleeping in the back of a car. This [the support] has given me back the ability to think, and for that I am eternally grateful.”Thomas, London Thomas was helped to find a flat through a local private renting project funded by Crisis and run by Causeway Irish Housing Association.

Sue’s story

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For most of his life, John, 48, had been a lorry driver and a family man. But his whole world was turned upside down last year when his marriage broke down. Devastated, he moved from his Oxford home to a friend’s caravan in Wales to make a new start, but he couldn’t find a place to stay because he had no local ties to the area. John became very depressed and returned to Oxford where he then found a hostel room.

Fortunately, his hostel key worker introduced him to Crisis Skylight Oxford – which opened in November. The team listened to John and helped him get regular medical support and counselling. And when he

felt ready they fostered his interest in IT and encouraged him to take some of the courses and activities that we offer. It’s now just over a year since he first left Oxford and John says he is feeling much better – he is still seeing his psychiatric nurse and counsellor regularly, getting involved in activities and having more and more good days.

“I just want to keep making improvements. In six months I might have my own place to live which will be good for me… I’ve always had a job and family around me and now I’m a bit like a fish out of water. But there is a lot of support here... It’s been a positive experience for me and worked really well,” says John.

“There’s definitely a lot of positives to come here for… it’s something to do so I can get out of my [hostel] room… they’re so supportive and nice. I’ve learned that talking to people does help. Everyone’s depression is different, but the main thing is not to suffer on your own.”John, Crisis Skylight Oxford

Homelessness killsOur report Homelessness Kills commissioned from the University of Sheffield highlighted the drastic consequences of homelessness and associated issues on the health of homeless people. It revealed that the average age of death of a homeless person is only 47 in stark contrast to that for the general population which is 77.

We are using this report to persuade the Government to make reducing the mortality of homeless people an explicit and urgent priority for all areas of the NHS and to fund and improve health services for homeless people.

At the grassroots level, Crisis frontline staff and volunteers around the country work actively to improve the physical and mental health of our clients. At Christmas we provide the opportunity for homeless people to get consultations, advice and a full health check from dentists, podiatrists, opticians and doctors.

Year-round, our mental health coordinators provide informal one-to-one support, facilitate group sessions for people with mental health issues, help people register with a GP and oversee a team of volunteer counsellors.

We also offer activities and events that promote wellbeing. Fitness classes, sports, meditation and relaxation activities and gardening were just some of the things available throughout the year.

Wellbeing events are proving particularly popular with 75 people attending the London Wellbeing Weekend in June 2011 and 248 in July 2012.

Above and top: Wellbeing Weekend at Crisis Skylight London, June 2012.

Listening, care and focussed supportIt’s truly shocking that homeless people die 30 years before the national average. Suicides, alcohol and drug abuse, traffic accidents, falls and infections all contribute to this unacceptable statistic. With your help we are striving to stop the suffering…

“The size of the gap in average age of death between homeless people and the general population is shocking. It’s appalling that in 21st century England people are dying in early middle age because they do not have a home.”Dr Bethan Thomas, Sheffield University

John’s story

How did we do?Health and wellbeing outcomes 2011/2012(Our target for the year is in brackets)

258 people were supported to improve their mental health (150).

748 counselling sessions were provided (800).

629 healthcare consultations were provided at London Crisis at Christmas (700).

63 per cent of people working with our mental health service reported a positive improvement in their social networks/relationships (75 per cent), 73 per cent in their motivation (75 per cent) and 77 per cent in their ability to manage their mental health (75 per cent).

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When 36-year-old Michael’s partner died four years ago he found himself homeless, distraught with grief, alone with his mental ill health and an alcohol problem that was spiralling out of control. Feeling there was nowhere to turn he spent his nights sleeping rough in a Hackney churchyard and using drugs to block out the grim reality of his days.

A few weeks before Christmas, a drugs team linked with the police helped Michael get support for his alcohol and drug problem and found him temporary accommodation in a hostel.

And then his encounter with the yellow-jacketed Crisis at Christmas volunteer helped Michael take another vital step forward.

“I came, [to Crisis at Christmas] made friends. They helped me with housing, jobs, CVs, email addresses. You get to know other people that are in the same boat. It’s like a big community. It’s got me a lot of friends and I know there are people out there that can help me. With Crisis’ help I’m getting that help… The people who got me into the hostel have got me voluntary work on Hackney Farm. If it wasn’t for Crisis I wouldn’t have had the courage to go through with it…”

“Crisis contacted me about Crisis at Christmas while I was on the streets begging for money for food... A man came up to me with a yellow coat on and I thought, ‘It’s the police again. They’re going to arrest me again for begging’. And then he talked to me and explained what was happening over Christmas and where I could go and it started from there…”Michael

Brit Award winner Ed Sheeran’s evocative song The A Team – the highest selling debut single of 2011 – was written after he volunteered for Crisis at Christmas. This year Ed performed the song with Crisis Skylight London clients recording a video in which he encouraged people to sign-up to support our No One Turned Away campaign.

How did we do?Christmas outcomes 2011/12 (Our target for the year is in brackets)

Provided shelter, support and services for 3,200 guests (3,000).

Recruited and supported 51 Skylight clients as volunteers (50).

Provided employment/training opportunities for seven clients (6).

Worked in partnership with 38 organisations (30).

Marked the 40th Crisis at Christmas with a number of events, gaining support for our No One Turned Away campaign.

Increase in problemsMichael is just one of 3,200 guests we helped in London during 23-30 December 2011. The recession, unemployment and rising living costs made us busier than ever. And our volunteer healthcare professionals observed a decline in the general health of the 537 guests who used our health care services and an increase in complex cases and mental health problems.

Our four residential centres, specially dedicated to helping rough sleepers, vulnerable women, people with dependency issues and long-term rough sleepers, helped more than 600 people each night – 15 per cent more than 2010. Around 700 guests asked for help from our advice service on a range of issues including assistance with housing benefits, financial, employment, immigration/asylum and legal issues.

Making it possibleCrisis at Christmas would be impossible without our enthusiastic 8,000-strong volunteer army and £850,000 in donated goods and equipment. This generosity ensures that we can not only offer much-needed health care, but also IT suites, sewing and hairdressing services, three hot meals a day and 1,400 hours of inspiring activities and entertainments to relieve the stress and isolation so many homeless people experience.

“The two years I have done some volunteering at Crisis at Christmas have both been very eye-opening experiences. I think it’s a brilliant thing to do at Christmas and it really has a nice atmosphere about the place, people really wanting to help out and give happiness.”Ed Sheeran

Michael’s story

Helping hands from volunteers at our 40th Crisis at Christmas.

Comfort, guidance and new beginnings For 40 years your support for Crisis at Christmas has helped us provide warmth, companionship and life-changing advice and services to tens of thousands of vulnerable people. With your help we encourage them to take steps out of homelessness and to take up the support we offer all year round….

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The homelessness monitorTracking the impacts of policy and economic change in England 2011-2013Year 1: Establishing the baseline

Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Hal Pawson, Glen Bramley and Steve Wilcox, Institute for Housing, Urban and Real Estate Research, Heriot-Watt University and Centre for Housing Policy, University of York

September 2011

HomelessnessMonitor_report_unlinked_V3.indd 1 14/10/2011 14:01:22

Squatting: ahomelessness issueAn evidence review

Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research

Sheffield Hallam University

Kesia Reeve September 2011

When we delivered our petition from 11,300 supporters and volunteers to Housing Minister Grant Shapps MP (pictured above left), calling on the Government to change the law to stop single homeless people being turned away by local authorities, Dean (above right) was one of three Crisis clients who helped highlight this unacceptable situation.

Dean explained that although he was suffering from mental ill health and desperately needed a home with enough room for his children to safely visit, the council told him he wasn’t a priority. Consequently, despite his bad depression,

he had been forced to sleep on the sofas and floors of family and friends, in his car and even under a tree. Without Crisis he said there would have been nowhere for him to turn.

Since December 2011, Dean has been supported by our London senior housing coach Melissa who has helped him find a shared flat.

“I don’t know if people in Government really can put themselves in my shoes and understand how desperate a single homeless person like me can feel, but I want to help Crisis make them understand. Crisis has helped me when nobody else would. I want to give something back and their No One Turned Away campaign helped me do this.”

No right to shelterDean’s experience typifies the lack of support given by too many local authorities to single homeless people. It is surely wrong that still, in 2012, there is no right to shelter for people like him in England. Our No One Turned Away campaign resulted in the Government allocating an additional £18.5m to tackle the problem.

Using our five-year Homelessness Monitor research project we highlighted how all forms of homelessness are rising. Sadly, the situation is predicted to get worse. This is due to the combination of the continuing economic downturn and cuts to welfare, particularly housing benefit.

Such cuts will affect the ability of those on low incomes to keep a roof over their heads and will put barriers in the way of people trying to escape homelessness. Throughout the year we lobbied hard on these and other issues throughout the passage of the Welfare Reform and Localism Bills, with a number of parliamentarians taking up Crisis’ concerns.

Highlighting the impactWe also campaigned against the Government’s plans to criminalise squatting. Our research shows that 40 per cent of homeless people resort to squatting to get a roof over their heads. Working with MPs and Peers we ensured that the Government recognised the impact on homeless people.

We conducted research into homeless people’s experiences of the Work Capability Assessment process and presented it to the independent reviewer who recognised that the process should be changed to better understand the difficulties faced by those who are homeless. We have also worked hard to help organisations working with homeless people to understand the new Work Programme and welfare reform and in turn to inform the Government of their concerns.

How did we do?Influencing outcomes 2011/12 (Our target for the year is in brackets)

Secured 40 opportunities to present our case and provide evidence to Government and the statutory bodies that influence policy change (30).

17,000 actions were taken by e-campaigners in support of our influencing objectives (1,500).

Delivered and disseminated ten research projects and external evaluations increasing knowledge of the causes and solutions to homelessness (four).

Gained high level of media coverage, achieving coverage equivalent to the advertising value of £6.05m, and effectively used social media in support of our influencing objectives.

Campaigning, challenging and tackling homelessnessYour support helps us campaign vigorously to raise awareness of the plight of single homeless people – whether tackling long-standing issues such as ensuring people are not turned away from local authorities without advice and help, or highlighting the impact of cuts to housing benefit and welfare reform…

“Crisis did a serious piece of work in a survey. It judged that these regulations [Shared Accommodation Rate] were going to cause major problems and increases in homelessness and rough sleeping. Crisis knows a great deal about that client group and their needs and its conclusions need to be respected too.” Lord Kirkwood, Liberal Democrat Peer

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Jack Dromey MP, the Shadow Housing Minister, addresses Crisis’ annual conference.

Research into the causes of and solutions to homelessness is a key part of our work.

Dean’s story

“My relationship broke down and so did I. I moved out and although I had a letter from my GP saying I needed emergency accommodation – the local council couldn’t help me. I want to help Crisis tell the Government how difficult it is out there for people like me. They just have to listen.”Dean, Crisis Skylight London

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Getting involvedThanks to our volunteers like Carol we can make an amazing difference to the lives of single homeless people during 2011-2012. Volunteers are involved in every area of our work. More than 10,000 work with us annually throughout the UK.

Eight thousand people help us with Crisis at Christmas; with an experienced team of more than 100 senior volunteers giving up their time all year round evaluating and planning the project, designing and delivering training for other volunteers and ensuring we are able to improve what we offer our guests year on year.

Working on reception at our Skylights, lending skills and professional expertise to our activities and courses and taking on tasks as interns within our finance, policy, and communications teams are just some of the other ways volunteers get involved in our work.

During 2011-2012 we ran volunteering programmes for our clients, training and encouraging them to take part in our activities and to inspire other clients to participate. These programmes include our Skylight Ambassador programme where 30 of our clients volunteered and were trained to promote the education, training and other activities we offer at Skylight London to Crisis at Christmas guests.

We are also very grateful to our 36 Community Ambassadors who work throughout the UK promoting our work. Following their talks in local communities we received an incredible £11,205 in donations.

Skills, warmth and reaching outWe simply wouldn’t be able to do the work we do without our army of volunteers who work in a huge range of capacities tirelessly dedicating their skills and energy to our cause. Some of our clients also join us as volunteers to gain valuable work experience and this makes us really proud...

Carol’s first experience of homelessness was sleeping on the streets of London when she was just 18. Although she eventually found temporary accommodation and a job, homelessness was to dog her footsteps again when she fled an abusive relationship and found herself in a shelter for abused women.

She heard about Crisis while doing an internet search for charities that could help with her mental health issue – she had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Having been told that art and exercise would be good therapy, she joined our London summer school.

Carol now feels very well; she lives in permanent accommodation and is getting regular treatment through self-help therapies and medication. Her Crisis activities have been a big therapeutic help with her condition, she says.

Wanting to ‘give something back’ Carol volunteered at Crisis at Christmas 2011 for the first time. She worked eight full days in the kitchen at our Bermondsey Centre and helped set up the rough sleepers centre. She also volunteered at one of our warehouses – sorting donated clothes, cleaning products and sleeping equipment.

Carol is now a keen member of our Garden Club and is helping other clients learn the ropes there. She hopes to get a job in the horticulture industry.

"I wanted to give something back to Crisis and I love being involved in the Garden Club. It’s rewarding to see people get so much joy out of the Skylight Garden and to know I’ve been a part of that."Carol, Crisis Skylight London

How did we do?Volunteering outcomes 2011/12 (Our target for the year is in brackets)

10,000 volunteers were recruited to help Crisis across the year including 8,000 for Crisis at Christmas (10,000).

50 clients recruited and supported to volunteer across our Skylight centres and back office teams (40).

Developed volunteering plans for our new centres in Oxford and Merseyside.

30 interns were recruited and supported (30).

Skylight Ambassadors are Crisis clients who volunteer at Crisis at Christmas.

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“After having experienced a range of mental health services and institutions in the past, it’s been amazing for me to help other members by assisting in mental health workshops.”Rahula, client volunteer, Newcastle

Carol’s story

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Donations, grants and gifts-in-kind – £5,000 and over

29th May 1961 Charitable TrustAdint Charitable TrustAimar FoundationAlex and William De Winton TrustAndrew MoncrieffApax PartnersArchitecture for HumanityArtemis Charitable FoundationAsdaAshmore AshurstAudioLinkAwareness FundBalticBank of America Merrill LynchBaker & McKenzie LLP The Barbour TrustBarclaysBaring Asset ManagementBDO LLPBetfairBig Lottery FundBridgepoint British Dental Trade AssociationBrodies LLP BT PlcBuilding Societies Trust LtdBusiness in the CommunityCA Redfern Charitable FoundationCadbury FoundationCanary Wharf Group PlcCanoe Inc.Canonbury HealthcareCapita SymondsCBD Charitable TrustCharles and Nicky ManbyChiltern Cold Storage Group LtdChristie’sThe City Bridge TrustCity Of London Academy SouthwarkCity of London Corporation Relief

of Poverty CharityCitySprint

ClearchannelCrédit Agricole Corporate and

Investment BankD G Charitable SettlementDamien RégentDavid and Eleanor HollowayDepartment for Communities and

Local GovernmentDepartment for Work and PensionsDepartment of HealthDirect TableDolphin Square Charitable

FoundationThe Dorus TrustEaling Hammersmith and West

London CollegeEcomindsEdward BarlowElm Capital Associates LtdEsmée Fairbairn FoundationEversheds LLPEverything EverwhereThe Eveson Charitable Trust Fidelity Worldwide InvestmentsFidessa group plcFinancial TimesFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLPGalaxy Hot ChocolateGarry and Catherine MonaghanThe Gatsby Charitable FoundationGHA GroupGlaxoSmithKlineGlencore International plcGraham CoxonGreen & BlacksGrosvenorGroveglade TrustThe H B Allen Charitable TrustHenry Schein MinervaHilton MeatsThe Horne FoundationHouse of LordsHoward De Walden EstateHSBCIBM United Kingdom LimitediGel

IngeusInternational Power plcInvesco PerpetualIslington Arts and Media SchoolITVJ Paul Getty Jr Charitable TrustJ Van Mars FoundationJim and Ivanka LennonJo BrandJohn and Elizabeth YoungJohn and Helen WhitfieldJohn and Mary Ann SalmonJohn Ellerman FoundationJones Furniture and Catering

EquipmentJTIJupiter Asset Management Key Trust Company LimitedKraft Foods EuropeLays InternationalThe Linbury TrustLinklaters London Borough of HackneyLondon CouncilsLotus Group LtdM & C Saatchi SportM & G InvestmentsThe Mabel Cooper Charitable TrustManMatthew and Minaz BeddallMaurice and Hilda Laing Charitable

TrustMCL Media Control (Europe) LimitedMiller The Monument TrustMorning FoodsNational GridNewcastle City CouncilNewham CollegePaul WellerNorthern Rock FoundationNotting Hill Housing GroupO2Oak FoundationOptident LtdPamela Barnby

We are so grateful to all the charitable trusts, foundations, businesses and individuals who have chosen to support our work. We are proud to help single homeless people on your behalf.

Paul and Penny SmeePearsonProduce World LtdRabobankRolls-RoyceRoss NobleSafestore LtdSammermar TrustSandra Charitable TrustSauven Marking LtdThe Savoy Educational TrustSCA PackagingSCCSchroders PlcThe Scotshill TrustScottish GovernmentShane and Cath CullinaneShareGiftSiemens plcSiobhan FaheySion Manning SchoolSkills Funding AgencySNS Networks LimitedState Street Bank & Trust CoStavros Niarchos FoundationStreetSmartSue BarrattTata Global BeveragesTaylor Wimpey UK LtdTexel Finance LimitedThe Earl of MarchThe Feel Good Drinks CompanyThe Outside ClinicThinkFolioTim MinchinTower Hill TrustTravis Perkins plcUniversal PicturesVirgin Active LaundryVodafoneVSO Global ExchangeWestminster Kingsway CollegeWilliam Allen Young Charitable

TrustWilliam DodwellWorshipful Company of Cooks

Thank you

SponsorGlaxoSmithKline

PatronsDaphne GuinnessFrancis Outred Julia Peyton-Jones OBE Kathleen Soriano Godfrey Worsdale

AuctioneersChristie’s

ArtistsSir Anthony Caro Nathan ColeyTracey EminAntony GormleySean Henry Nika NeelovaYinka Shonibare MBEBob and Roberta SmithGillian WearingJonathan Yeo

The Crisis CommissionIn March 2012 Anthony Caro, Nathan Coley, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Nika Neelova, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Bob and Roberta Smith, Gillian Wearing and Jonathan Yeo exhibited together for the first time, creating original works responding to themes around homelessness.

The exhibition also featured work from five artists from Crisis Skylight centres in Birmingham, Oxford and London.

The artworks, including a further sculpture donated by Sean Henry, were auctioned on 3 May at Christie’s, with all proceeds – £500,000 – going to Crisis. All costs associated with the exhbition were generously covered by GlaxoSmithKline.

Thank you to the sponsor, patrons, artists and all who helped make The Crisis Commission possible.

Top: Antony Gormley, Gillian Wearing, Nika Neelova and Jonathan Yeo at the launch of The Crisis Commission. Above: Metaphysical Formation by Thomas Herold, a client of Crisis Skylight London.

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Moving forward – our plans for 2012-2013

How you can help

With your support we will be working hard on these targets to help more single homeless people improve their lives than ever before….

Your generosity is the key to making all of these plans to help single homeless people possible. With your passion and dedication we know we can make a difference. Here are just some of the ways you can help…

DONATE• Make a donation: to do so please visit: www.crisis.org.uk/donate

or telephone 08000 384838. • Donate a regular amount

through direct debit. • Give as you earn through

your company’s charitable giving scheme.

• Leave a gift in your will.

INvESTYou can become a Crisis Investor and help people back on their feet, while benefitting society as a whole. Find out more at: investors.crisis.org.uk

FUNDRAISE• Join a Crisis

challenge event. • Nominate Crisis as

your company’s charity of the year.

vOLUNTEER• Become a Crisis at

Christmas volunteer. • Give your time any time

of the year at our Crisis Skylight centres in London, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Oxford and Merseyside.

CAMPAIGN• Become a Crisis

campaigner. • Tell your family,

friends and colleagues about our work.

“I teach English in Crisis Skylight London working with students that need extra one-to-one support to reach their learning goals. It’s helped me communicate with people from all walks of life and I’ve met some great amazing, brave students and worked with wonderful staff.”Ciara, volunteer, London

NO ONE TURNED AWAY


• 4,301 people to participate in a Crisis learning activity.

• 1,267 people to gain a certificate/qualification.

• 1,639 certificates/qualifications to be awarded in total to our clients.

• 444 people to participate in an external training course/education.

• Open a new Crisis Skylight centre in Coventry/Warwickshire.

Education Employment Health and wellbeingHousing Influencing VolunteeringCrisis at Christmas

• 423 people to move into work. • 54 café trainees to gain paid

employment. • 750 people to participate in

vocational training classes/courses.

• 305 people to do some volunteering.

• 1,020 people to be supported by a progression coach.

• 236 Crisis Skylight clientsto improve their housing.

• 3,000 tenancies to be created through funding and supporting private renting access schemes.

• Support 150 local schemes across England to create and sustain private tenancies.

• To be a leading source of best practice in England and Scotland in helping homeless people access accommodation in the private rented sector.

• Support 335 people to improve their mental health.

• Healthy living events to run in each of our Crisis Skylight centres.

• 650 healthcare consultations to be provided at London Crisis at Christmas.

• Provide shelter, support and services for up to 3,200 guests.

• Involve up to 50 Skylight members as volunteers.

• Work in partnership with up to 45 organisations.

• Secure 33 opportunities to present our case to Government and the statutory bodies that influence policy change and achieve 20 mentions of Crisis in Parliament.

• Deliver impactful campaigns, involving 5,000 campaigners.

• Gain a high level of media coverage and double our followers on Twitter (to 10,000) and increase Facebook likes by a third to 10,000 to support our influencing objectives.

• Deliver and disseminate five research projects and evaluations increasing knowledge of the causes of and solutions to homelessness.

• Recruit 10,000 volunteers to help Crisis across the year (including 8,000 at Christmas).

• Recruit and support 60 member volunteers.

• Recruit and support 30 interns.

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Patron

HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, KG, GCVO

Vice presidents

Lord Alton of Liverpool

The Most Rev and the Rt Hon. the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury

His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster

David Gilmour CBE

Chair of trustees

Steve Holliday

TrusteesTerrie Alafat Harish Bhayani Hugh BiddellTim ChildEmma Foulds Jane Furniss CBEPhilip Graf CBE, Vice chairNicholas Hilliard QCHeather Lamont, treasurerRichard Murley Andrew NewellPeter Redfern John SamuelCanon Bruce SaundersGareth Williams

Company secretary

Keith Felton

Senior management team

Leslie Morphy OBE Chief executive

Keith FeltonDirector of corporate services

Richard FranklinCommercial and fundraising director

Duncan ShrubsoleDirector of policy and external affairs

Micky WalshDirector of client services

Our finances

Our people

Total income for the year ended 30 June 2012 was £21.5 million (2011/12 £17.1 million). Total expenditure increased to £19.2 million from £14.1 million last year. The main factors behind the increased expenditure were the costs of the new Crisis Skylights in Merseyside and Oxford, which opened in the first half of the financial year, increased investment in direct marketing, primarily to secure income in subsequent years, and a full year of grants made under the PRS Access Development Scheme.

The surplus for the year greatly exceeded our expectations and reflected our considerable fundraising success, despite the challenging economic environment. Crisis continues to plan for the future on a prudent basis and has transferred the full unrestricted surplus to designated reserves, including the new developments reserve established to cover the first 36 months’ planned expenditure, net of associated income, of new centres.

£1.1mOther income

£8.4mIndividual donations and legacies

£1.9mTrust and community donations

£5.4mGrants

£1.2mGifts in kind and donated services and facilities

£2.5mCorporate donations

£1.0mEvents

Charitable expenditure

Income

£1.6mChristmas

£0.8mCampaigning and influencing

£0.8mSocial enterprise

£5.0mEducation, health and wellbeing

£0.3mVolunteering

£4.7mHousing

£0.1mChanging Lives

£0.2mNew developments

£0.8mEmployment


Crisis 66 Commercial StreetLondon E1 6LTTelephone: 0300 636 1967www.crisis.org.ukRegistered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094.

crisis impact report 2012

Documents

tackling homelessness

indicator of homelessness

theme of homelessness

end homelessness

single homeless people

crisis commission

housing support

crisis impact report