Help homeless people discover their potential with a regular gift to Crisis

It's no small challenge for someone to turn their life around. But with the practical support homeless people can find at Crisis, it's more than possible. It really happens

Changing Lives

Crisis helps homeless people find their way back into work with our Changing Lives awards. These grants can:

• Help fund vocational training and education.
• Allow people to buy tools to practice their trade.
• Help with business set-up costs.

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Crisis Skylight

Developing skills and getting qualifications improves someone's chances of finding work and boosts their self-esteem.

Skylight is one of the few places homeless people can learn practical skills.

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Crisis SmartMove

When you've been homeless, setting up home in even rented accommodation means overcoming many barriers.

Crisis SmartMove helps people find a decent and permanent place to live.

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John	Michelle	Richard	Amie	Mark	Dorris
Simon	Michael	Stephen	John	Charles	Ronald

Darren	Ian	John	James	Donate Now
Jeremy	Derek	Alex		Watch our documentary “Hope for homeless people”

After several years of homelessness, John is now a trainee at London mechanic's thanks to a Changing Lives award from Crisis. He was very grateful for the chance Crisis gave him to buy a set of tools and complete the City & Guilds qualification in Motor Services and Repair that got him started. Back to list
Michelle lives in a hostel and is looking to move her life on with a college course. A Changing Lives award helped her buy books and a computer. “When I found out I'd been successful it gave me such a boost in confidence,” she explains. Back to list
After kicking a long-term drug problem, Richard completed a Microsoft Certified Professional IT course getting an amazing 100% in his exam. With Crisis funding, he's now gone on to the next stage, which he hopes will lead to an IT career. As Richard says, “It was really hard work and I nearly gave up, but Crisis were great.” Back to list
Amie was living in a hostel when a Crisis Changing Lives award helped her buy the kit she needed to set up a mobile beauty business. “The money helped me so much. I couldn't have afforded to get started on my own,” she says. And since starting her new business, she hasn't looked back. Back to list
Mark showed so much promise during his training at the Crisis Skylight café that he has now managed to get a job working for Prêt a Manger – the first time in his life he has had full-time work, an income and responsibilities. Back to list
Dorris fled from Morocco where terrible abuse left her clinically depressed. A placement in the Crisis Skylight café improved her communication and confidence. Soon she was laughing with the staff and getting on well with the café's customers. She's now has a new job working in a pub kitchen. Back to list
Following eviction from his flat, Simon was forced to sleep on friends' floors. Then he heard about Crisis SmartMove. After he'd done a number of workshops to help him live independently, SmartMove helped him move into a new flat, and have kept in touch to support him in his new life. Back to list
After a series of personal crises, Michael, a qualified Stonemason, sought solace in drink and drugs. But rehabilitation and a Changing Lives Award means his life is back on track. “If it wasn't for Crisis I wouldn't have had the tools and I wouldn't have been self employed as soon as I was,” says Michael. Back to list
After conquering a chronic drink problem, Stephen got a Changing Lives award to train as an undertaker. Says Stephen, “I thought I might have a chance but I thought it might seem a bit morbid! When I found out I was successful, I was delighted.” Back to list
Oxford graduate John's alcoholism meant he lost everything, including his home. John no longer drinks and a Changing Lives grant is helping him train to become a teacher. Of the award John says, “[it was] probably the best thing that has happened to me in the last twenty years.” Back to list
After battling with depression and homelessness, Charles has established a business around something he feels passionately about, Fair Trade. It's all thanks to a changing lives award. He says, “Apart from what I need the money for, the grant has given me extra hope, that the business will be successful.” Back to list
Following his divorce Ronnie had to raise 5 children but after they left home he slid into depression. Struggling with confidence and literacy Ronnie slipped through system and became homeless. But now, through SmartMove, he has secured accommodation and will shortly be starting college. Back to list
After being settled for fifteen years, Darren's marriage fell apart and his wife kicked him out. “There wasn't anyone in the area I could stay with so I moved into my car: the only pace I had to live was my vehicle,” says Darren. “SmartMove have been very good. I was lucky I fell in here and got somewhere to live. [Without them] I don't know what I would have done.” Back to list
“I can't stress enough how much the SmartMove staff have done for me. I'm just glad they are here to provide a service for people like me who are in need. People, who for one reason or another, can't survive on their own. I will be eternally grateful.” Back to list
“My support worker at SmartMove has been absolutely fantastic, I now have her name in my phone as 'guardian angel' because that's what I see her as. Without her I would have stayed permanently on the streets.” Back to list
Changing Lives helped buy the equipment James needed to complete an Access course. “I really don't know what would have happened if I had not had that assistance,” he says. James now has a degree in Anthropology and is currently studying for a Masters in Human Rights. Back to list
A Changing Lives grant helped Jeremy get a commercial fishing license. He soon hopes to set up a business selling fresh lobster to local suppliers. On applying for the Changing Lives Award he says, “If you're not in it, you can't win it! I was absolutely delighted when I found out.” Back to list
After years of crime and drug abuse, life changed when Derek got funding for training to become a drugs counsellor. He says, “I felt awkward. Did I deserve this? Then I felt that they don't just give money to anybody. So it was a realisation that, God yeah, I am worth it.” Back to list
Alex's drinking led to the streets, but permanent accommodation and a Changing Lives Award helped him return to work as a carpenter. “The only thing that was stopping me from going back was not having the tools. Every tool I've bought with the award money I have used,” says Alex.