Hi There!

Many of you know I started volunteering for Crisis at Christmas (C@C) in 2018, the year Mum left this life; knowing Mum's resting in peace and no doubt beaming with pride that I'm volunteering to end homelessness. I continue to be of service every year since, with the exception of 2024 and oh how I missed Bingo calling on Christmas Day at 14.00!

I'm looking forward to returning to C@C this year and being part of the first Women-led hotel* for Women, including trans women and non-binary people.

*Crisis have asked volunteers not disclose the hotel location to keep Guests safe.

This is what Crisis' Lead Worker Melissa says about this new offering...

"This pilot is incredibly important because most homelessness services haven't been built with women's psychological needs in mind. And while our Crisis Christmas hotels bring warmth, safety and hope to many people experiencing homelessness, women who have been through the worst trauma need more privacy, calm, and the reassurance of a women-led space.

That's because many of the women I meet have escaped violence at home only to face more on the cold dark streets. One woman told me that she never took her shoes off in case she needed to run. Another said she slept sitting up on a night bus, partly to stay warm but mostly to stay safe from assault".

From 2018 - 2020 I volunteered as a Yoga Teacher (online only on 2020). Since 2021 I've been volunteering as an Activities Organiser (AO) working alongside other AOs leading a team of volunteers offering a wide variety of activities, from arts and crafts, hairdressing, portrait painting, supporting digital skills, nail art, yoga/pilates,football coaching plus more and the most popular activity - Bingo! It will be interesting to see what's the most popular at the women's hotel this year.

This final quote from Crisis Member Anita really touched me; "I arrived shaking - not from cold, but from months of keeping myself awake because I was terrified to sleep. That night, I locked the door, touched the sheets, and cried. It was the first time I'd felt safe enough to rest".

Every year I multiply the Crisis donation £29.80 for 2025, by 10 - the number of yoga mats I took to my first C@C in 2018

Every year I smash the target with the effortless kindness of you; friends, family and network, THANK YOU🙏🏾

Will you be my first sponsor?

Yvonne 💜❤️