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Giving The Gift Of Time
A CHARITY volunteer spending Christmas Day caring for people without a home has thanked players of People's Postcode Lottery for helping to spread festive cheer.
Pharmacist Shilpa Shah will be swapping her own family celebrations to help homelessness charity Crisis bring the spirit of Christmas to those most in need, as she has done for the past 10 years.
Shilpa says she never fails to be moved by the effect giving a Christmas dinner, a warm place to stay for the day, basic healthcare, and even playing board games for a few hours can have on those she meets.
Shilpa, 48, of East London, said: "Christmas is such a special time of year, but it can be a difficult time, too, for so many people.
"Emotions can be much more heightened and the cold weather can feel all the colder.
"I was brought up believing how important it is to help others. And so, with the support of players of People's Postcode Lottery, we make Christmas Day special for the guests who come to Crisis."
Last Christmas, Crisis helped more than 6,600 people who were experiencing homelessness.
Through its day centres and hotels in London and Crisis Skylights across Britain, its dedicated services provide personalised information and advice, and everything from hot meals and delivering festive hampers, to GP appointments, haircuts and eye tests.
Shilpa is now a healthcare deputy manager at a Crisis at Christmas day centre and is one of a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and podiatrists, who volunteer their time to provide vital health services and companionship.
Shilpa said: "Can you imagine feeling unwell and not having a warm bed to climb into, or a bowl of something comforting to eat? But that is the reality if you are experiencing homelessness.
"Access to healthcare can be so difficult for anyone rough sleeping.
"On Christmas Day, we might be doing anything from helping someone with their blood pressure medication to treating their chest infection or indigestion.
"Other volunteers might be doing puzzles or playing Monopoly with the guests - or helping serve up Christmas dinner.
"When you see all the work Crisis does - the army of volunteers it pulls together, and the support it gives - it really is amazing - not just at Christmas but all year round."
And as she looks forward to her eleventh Christmas Day volunteering, Shilpa says she can't imagine spending it any other way.
"Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Christmas - I'm one of those people who wants to put their tree up in mid-November. Now, volunteering for Crisis is one of the things I love so much about Christmas."
Crisis says across Britain more than a quarter of a million households are rough sleeping, sofa surfing or stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation - like nightly paid B&Bs.
Postcode Lottery players have raised £15.2 million to help the charity continue its work.
Support can range from help finding a home and job to improving health and wellbeing.
Shilpa explained: "One of the things I've learned is that homelessness can happen to anyone.
"The people I meet through Crisis come from all walks of life - men, women, old and young.
"Whatever the reason someone finds themselves with nowhere to go, they often need that little bit of help to get back on their feet."
Rob Halkyard, Executive Director of Brand, Marketing and Fundraising at Crisis, said: "We're incredibly grateful to the players of People's Postcode Lottery for their support this Christmas. This comes at a time when the need for our services has never been more important.
"Thanks to their generosity, we can continue to provide warmth, companionship and vital support to help people rebuild their lives away from homelessness – both at Christmas and all year round."
Making A Difference
People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Crisis make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities our players support.
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Published: 04/12/2024
