Singer Ellie Goulding has said she is “in awe” of the work of homelessness charity Crisis as she helped with its Christmas services.
Goulding, 37, was at a London hotel on Monday, helping the charity to welcome guests, serving hot drinks and food, and playing games.
Crisis expects to receive double the amount of referrals than it has space for in its accommodation during the festive period.
Speaking at a launch event for Crisis’s Christmas support services, Goulding told the PA news agency: “I’m so in awe of Crisis and the volunteers I meet every time I come here. They’ve been doing this for such a long time, and I’ve been supporting for a long time.
“I’ve always cared about homelessness since I was really, really young. It was just something that always really affected me.
“If I saw people sleeping rough, it just really triggered me and affected me, and so I always said to myself, if I was ever in a position where I could help and support and get involved then I would, which is why I’ve sort of been dedicated to it.
“And it’s not like it’s getting any better, homelessness is still on the rise. There’s over 300,000 people homeless without a proper home this Christmas.
“So we need more people to get involved with Crisis, and not just at Christmas but throughout the year as well. We need more volunteers, more people to get involved, and just more people to care.”
Crisis has taken over three hotels in the capital, which will see more than 570 people offered their own room, companionship and access to Crisis services to help them build a life beyond homelessness.
Support will include hot meals, health and wellbeing services such as GPs, opticians and hairdressers, and specialist advice on benefits and housing.
The charity says homelessness has risen by 42% this year, with 4,780 people seen sleeping rough on London streets from July to September this year, an increase of almost a fifth (18%) on the previous year.
The Love Me Like You Do singer, who has worked with the charity for more than 10 years, added: “I’m here to help, I’m here to do whatever is required of me.
“I come every year, and I’ve just been serving some tea, coffee, and later on I’ll be doing some other bits and pieces, various things.
“Everyone’s working really hard, lots of incredible volunteers here, lots of friendly faces. It’s a very warm and cosy and safe environment, and it’s always a pleasure to be here.”
Also volunteering at the hotel were Bridgerton actor Sam Phillips and TV fitness expert Joe Wicks.
Phillips told PA: “I just feel very passionately that homelessness is a crisis in this country, and more should be done.
“Thankfully, the government is doing more now with social housing, but I think ultimately we’d like to see homelessness eradicated from the country.
“I just feel very passionately that no one should have to be on the streets, and it’s only with organisations like Crisis that we can change that for people.”
Wicks, who was volunteering with the charity for the first time, said: “In this day and age, we shouldn’t have people sleeping rough on the streets. It’s freezing cold, people need to be looked after.
“I think naturally, as an empath, I care about people and we’ve been raising money for Crisis ourselves as a business, The Body Coach, this month. So I was invited along to be a volunteer.
“I’m going to be serving some food, and just interacting I think more than anything, just socialising with people and giving them a chance to talk.
“This is a great campaign that people are actually getting a chance to sleep here in this hotel for two weeks, and a warm bed, shower, food, and it’s just wonderful to see how much it’s going to have an impact on them.”
