Step inside one of Crisis’s centres over the Christmas period and you might be surprised by what you see – and how it makes you feel. Although there’s no ignoring the devastating events that have pushed people into homelessness, inside the day centres there’s a magical festive buzz in the air. Here, away from the streets, guests are greeted with friendly smiles and plenty of people to happily lend an ear.
Inside these festively decorated hubs, guests have access to hot showers, freshly cooked meals and access to a warm space. There’s also endless services available – from haircuts to massages, the chance to see an optician or podiatrist, rounds of cups of tea and coffee, and films to watch on a big screen. “There’s people chatting away, or making arts and crafts. You can always hear lots of laughter,” says Alice Midgley, resources manager at Crisis.
