Crisis is looking for volunteers for its Advice at Christmas service

Advice professionals are needed to help the homeless this Christmas.

National homelessness charity Crisis is calling on specialists in areas including benefits and welfare rights, immigration, debt management, employment support and housing law to assist homeless people at their temporary centres this Christmas.

In its 50th anniversary year, Crisis at Christmas 2017 runs from 22 – 29 December 2017 with centres set to open across the UK – including Edinburgh.

As well as warmth, companionship and hot meals, guests will receive healthcare and specialist advice on housing, work and benefits.

Providing expert advice to homeless people gives them a chance to connect with year-round support and leave homelessness behind for good. Last year 1,054 people visited an advice centre to receive assistance in areas including: immigration, welfare rights, housing and family law.

Catherine Weeks, advice service organiser, said: “Volunteering in Advice at Christmas puts you right at the heart of the guests’ issues and whilst they are numerous, it is heartening to be able to directly help individual cases and witness outcomes.

“Every case is different and needs a tailored approach and you establish skills and compassion to depths you never knew existed.”

For more details, see the Crisis website.