Purpose of the Report

This 20-year impact report marks a major milestone for Connection Crew. It reflects two decades of combining commercial delivery in the events industry with a mission to support people affected by homelessness into sustainable work and secure futures. The report highlights measurable impact, shares human stories behind the numbers, and sets out our direction for the years ahead.

Overview of Headline Impact

Over 20 years, Connection Crew has

Worked with 499 people affected by homelessness

To deliver 288,858 hours of work

From Surviving to Thriving: What We Learned

This feature captures reflections from leadership on resilience, culture, and the steps taken to stabilise and rebuild following the pandemic:

Decisions are human-led: from creating jobs to saving them during the pandemic,

Rethink processes: re-evaluating and rebuilding business operations with transparency and collaboration

Persistence pays: Director Warren Rogers encourages social entrepreneurs to hang tight - anything worth building takes 3–5 years

Academy: Voices from Our Training Programme

This feature shares experiences from graduates and stakeholders of the Academy, which trains people affected by homelessness in work skills and event crewing.

We worked with an external researcher on a series of qualitive interviews that informed our Theory of Change and this feature. It highlights:

The programme tackles intertwined challenges around homelessness, from mental health and isolation to limited access to work. It offers fun, flexible opportunities and a valued model, and it aims to improve by building on wrap-around support and tailored offers for graduates working with us as event crew

A key strength is its inclusive, non-judgmental community that supports diverse learners. On-the-job learning lifts graduates, crew, and the wider industry, with an emphasis on mentoring giving senior team members the tools to support and lead others.

There is much to celebrate: the work is exciting, with behind-the-scenes access to major events. Connection Crew aims to share more crew and Academy stories to give people greater voice, visibility, and inspiration.

Roundtables: Industry Learning in Action

Our roundtable series brought together clients and partners to explore improving working conditions, strengthening inclusion, and supporting a just transition. Practical actions to push forward include:

Social impact, often the hardest “S” in ESG, should be prioritised alongside mental health, inclusion, and pay

Initiatives such as the Inclusive Sites and Venues Survey and a Living Wage campaign have been launched with broad support

While client timelines and constraints remain challenging, there is consensus to take practical action to nudge meaningful change

Harnessing the Power of Events: Our Theory of Change

The new Theory of Change which captures the long-term change we’re creating together — shaped by your support, insight, and shared commitment, defines the change we aim to achieve, for whom, and how. Developed through stakeholder listening and unpacking impact programmes, it provides a roadmap to strengthen impact and effectiveness.

Our vision is to harness the power of events to accelerate the fight to end homelessness through opportunity - creating careers, boosting wellbeing, and showing that when done right, production can uplift people and planet. And by doing so we are breaking down stigma, reshaping mindsets and building connected communities that improve lives and elevate the events industry.

Call to Action

The report urges the sector to act together. Every choice you make in events and production shapes working conditions, opens doors, and can help prevent homelessness.