Page 19 - Ludlow Tower January 2023

Crisis BEYOND CHRISTMAS
Each year the Outward Concern
Committee nominates a national charity
to receive 30% of the charitable giving
agreed by the PCC from St Laurence’s
Church – from all of us. In 2022 that
charity was Crisis. Some of you may
think back to ‘Crisis at Christmas’, which
is how it started in 1967, providing hot
meals, shelter, warmth and a welcome
for the homeless at Christmas. It has
now broadened its focus.
The cost of living crisis is pushing people
into homelessness all year round.
Thousands at the sharp end of poverty,
with nowhere to call home and no one
to be with, will be forced onto the cold
streets, into sofa-surfing or temporary
accommodation. People are having to
make unthinkable choices between
paying for food or heating or keeping a
roof over their heads. Standing
alongside such people to show we care
has never been so important.
Knocking on door after door only to be
told ‘no’ and treated as an outcast is
dehumanising, leaving people depressed.
They withdraw further, no longer part of
society. But when they come into the
warm, you see a change. They start
talking, relaxing, feeling valued; their
demeanour changes. They feel a
glimmer of hope for the future, realising
they have the practical support they
need to begin to move forwards.
Crisis offers hot food, healthcare and
help with a place to stay – and not just
for Christmas. Each guest receives
specialist year-round support and advice
on employment, training, education,
housing and benefits – to help them
leave homelessness behind for good.
19
Eddie (L) with his Crisis coach
Eddie, working as a chef in luxurious
London hotels, developed a skin
condition, and was forced to leave his
job. He used his savings to pay the rent,
but eventually he lost his home too. He
slept on a friend’s floor, but the flat was
so crowded he was asked to leave. “I
was sleeping on the streets for nine
days”. Fortunately, Eddie was referred to
one of Crisis’ hotels where he could at
last access the support he needed, and
connected with a Crisis coach, who
would stay with him through his journey
out of homelessness. “I tried so many
times to get Universal Credit but they
kept rejecting me. Crisis sorted it out. I
got a house. I have a contract. Crisis
also sourced a bed, wardrobe and things
for the kitchen.”
Eddie, now settled in a new home, looks
forward: he has seen a doctor; his skin
condition is better; and he can look for
work. “I’m glad I got Crisis’ number
because if I was on the street now,
maybe I would have died because of my
condition. I was in a very bad way.”
Crisis is the beginning
of a new journey.
Revd John Perry