Palace for Life join forces with Crisis at Christmas

Palace for Life Foundation will join national homelessness charity Crisis this Christmas to deliver fun football sessions and coaching to people experiencing homelessness in Croydon.

The sessions are part of ‘Crisis at Christmas’ where centres are open across the UK to bring warmth, companionship and vital services to over 4,000 homeless people at one of the hardest times of the year, and offer a starting point out of homelessness.  For many, Crisis at Christmas offers a chance to relax, regain confidence and plan for the future in a supportive environment, away from the immediate hardships of homelessness.

The Croydon Centre, which will be at Harris Invictus Academy, operates as both a day centre and residential centre for homeless people over the Christmas week, with a capacity of 300 during the day plus sleeping for 150.

Palace for Life coaches will be running football sessions in the sports hall throughout Christmas week, culminating in a friendly tournament at Arsenal’s Community Hub, with a team invited to represent Team Croydon and Crystal Palace.

Director of Sport and Wellbeing at Palace for Life Foundation Gary Mulcahey, who will be coaching at the centre over Christmas, said: “As soon as we were invited to be part of this wonderful project, we jumped at the chance to lend our support. At Palace for Life, we believe that by giving extra support to the most vulnerable, we can help to create a better community and society.

“Football and sport can be an excellent way to bring people together and I hope that we can help to make Christmas a bit more special for the people at the centre who are going through a difficult time.”

Crisis and Palace for Life Foundation are also appealing for volunteers to help out at the centres, so whether you’re a skilled hairdresser, enthusiastic dance teacher, experienced advisor, or just happy to help out wherever you can, Crisis would love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply online at:  www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/christmasvolunteering-london/

For more information email ccvolunteering@crisis.org.uk