Chartered Institute of Housing South East

6 September 2010  |  You are here: Home > News > Article

Helping with Crisis this Christmas

01/10/09

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Helping with Crisis this ChristmasCarol Wrate, Strategy and Enabling Officer at Canterbury City Council, also plays an invaluable role as a regular volunteer for Crisis Christmas. Can she persuade you to join her at a centre this Christmas?

'None of us who work in housing will be surprised by the fact that there are still people living on the streets. It happens in every city and town - even the rural areas don't escape. However, people tend to gravitate towards the big cities, and London has always been the biggest magnet of all.

'When Crisis first opened its doors at Christmas over 20 years ago, it was a small operation. It provided shelter and food for a few days over the holidays at a time when there was little else for those who found themselves living on the streets.

'Nowadays Crisis Christmas provides services for up to 2,000 single people either living on the streets or vulnerably housed. It is supported by many large city organisations whose staff and other volunteers give up their time to help set up and run the nine centres that now play host to the Christmas guests.

'Within these centres there are many services available that many guests may not be able to access at other times during the year:

'All these professionals, and more, give up their time to help those in need.

'So why has it been so difficult to find housing professionals to help in the advice service? It's been a question that has puzzled me for the 11 years that I've been volunteering in the advice team. Why is it that we struggle to help the people who really are the most vulnerable in housing terms? Where are the people who really know their way around the housing system to use their professional skills and knowledge when necessary?

'For many years, Bob Lawrence - who I'm sure many of you remember - admirably led the advice team. He used his big personality, and even bigger book of contacts, to persuade local authorities to contribute to the task. But even then we struggled to get more than one 'grown up', as we were affectionately known, per day into the centres.

'I will be the first to admit that the client group we try to help are often marginalised and have very complex needs. Interviews can be difficult, frustrating and the chaotic nature of the guests' lives often means that there is little we can do to help, except signpost them to organisations after Christmas and hope that they go to the appointment.

'However, this is balanced by the feeling of accomplishment when something comes together for a guest, and you can get them into somewhere safe after Christmas.

'This year, CIH South East is helping recruit housing professionals. And, wearing my other hat of Crisis Deputy Advice Manager, I really want to urge you all to consider giving up some time over the holidays to volunteer in the advice service.

'The centres are all in London and although open from the 23-30 December (yes, we do work on Christmas Day) the main advice input is from the 26-29 December.

'I believe that volunteering for this service is invaluable experience for any student. And it's also an opportunity for experienced staff to make a contribution to a marginalised group that rarely gets the chance to be listened to.

'The advice service has to be able to respond to guests' needs but generally we are able to provide help with:

'If you are interested in volunteering, or you would like to have a chat about volunteering, please contact me on cazz_crisis@hotmail.co.uk. I will get back to you as soon as I can - although please be patient.'