Jo Brand and Joe Lycett - Crisis 50th Anniversary
Jo Brand and Joe Lycett present a video for the charity Crisis.
Acclaimed actor, director and writer David Schneider has written and directed this video to mark Crisis' 50th anniversary and encourage supporters to help end homelessness for good.
Filmed in an East London pub (The Three Compasses) close to where Crisis was founded, the scene is set at a sad, almost anti-birthday party, with no guests to celebrate. The characters are trying to put on a brave face, but instead of messages of congratulations, each card they open is about how homelessness is rising, making it clear that Crisis' continued existence is nothing to celebrate.
Thankfully, the final message reveals that there is something the public can do to help change this. With the right laws and government policy, homelessness can be ended, and Jo and Joe are on hand to urge people to join Crisis' Everybody In campaign to make sure the charity isn't needed in another 50 years' time.
Jo Brand, who has been a Crisis supporter for nearly a decade, says: "I was delighted to be asked to mark the 50th anniversary of Crisis with the hilarious Joe Lycett. Using humour to get the message across doesn't make the problem any less serious and the fact that Crisis has had to be around for 50 years is depressing. However, thank God that they are because so many people need their truly valuable help. Happy Anniversary Crisis. Let's hope you're not around in another 50 years!"
Jo Lycett adds: "It was a fabulous honour to be involved in making the Crisis 50th birthday video with David and Jo. Homelessness is a big issue in my home town of Brum and around the country, and it's something we can change. Don't think when you walk past a homeless person that you can't help, you can, by joining the Crisis Everybody In campaign you'll make a stand against homelessness so that Crisis doesn't have to be around in another 50 years' time."
David Schneider comments: "I've been a long-time supporter of Crisis and the work they do so I jumped at the chance to make a video for them, with Jo Brand and Joe Lycett as well! What's not to like? It's so shocking that it's 50 years since Crisis was founded and homelessness is still such a scar on our society. There's no reason why, in one of the richest countries in the world, homelessness should still be so prevalent. And so visibly growing.
"I really like the clarity and ballsiness of Crisis' message on this one: we can end homelessness. We can end it! Yes, it will take political will, yes, the public must be galvanised, but think about that: we could end it. I hope everyone who watches this joins us to back Crisis' campaign."
Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, says: "We at Crisis would like to extend a huge thanks to our incredible supporters Jo Brand, Joe Lycett and David Schneider for all their help and support in raising awareness of Crisis' plan to end homelessness as we turn 50. While our anniversary is nothing to celebrate, it's an important opportunity to highlight that homelessness is not inevitable. We now need the public's help so we won't be needed in another 50 years' time. By signing up to our Everyone In campaign today you can help us end homelessness once and for all."
Visit crisis.org.uk/everybody-in to join the campaign to end homelessness.
| Jo Brand | Self |
| Joe Lycett | Self |
| David Schneider | Writer |
| David Schneider | Director |