Crisis makes a real difference, says independent report

An independent report has praised Crisis for its ability to help homeless people progress into paid work and the one-to-one support the charity provides for its clients.

Today we publish interim findings from this major three-year longitudinal evaluation, one of Crisis’ most important investments in knowledge, our first looking at the impact of the whole Skylight service rather than discrete elements of the model.

The people Crisis works with often face a range of complex issues, including long-term unemployment, social isolation and mental or physical health problems. Yet the report shows that, despite these barriers, 88% of the clients in the study have made progress as a direct result of working with Skylight centres. The report also shows clear evidence of gains in health and well-being, particularly in relation to improvements in self-confidence.

The research, led by Nicholas Pleace and Joanne Bretherton from the University of York’s Centre for Housing Policy, is the second part of a three year evaluation of Crisis services which tracks a group of 135 homeless people as they use Crisis’ year-round services, alongside interviews with clients and staff.