A poem about The Whitechapel Enablement Centre - by Kate Dolphin

Since around August this year Kate has been working as a volunteer for us here at The Whitechapel Centre.

She first came to us during a difficult period in her life, and felt that she was now ready to be a part of the team that could help others.

She has written a wonderful poem inspired by her time working in the reception area of our Enablement Centre.


TRIAGE AT WHITECHAPEL

By Kate Dolphin

Who will come through the door today?

What will they do? What will they say?

Who will speak a kindly word?

What ear will listen to a voice unheard?

All we ask of folk is to show respect

When you have to wait, kindly accept

That someone may have a greater need

Then you will be a friend indeed

So, please one and all sit patiently

Or why not join an activity

You’ll find a talent you did not know

Perhaps make a friend as you onward go

Look back in time and you’ll be able to say

I’m glad I waited around that day

Friends made here are friends for life

And soon may end your trouble and strife


This poem gives a small insight into daily life at our centre from both sides, those using the services, and those who provide them.

Kate is a great example of how with support and guidance, a person's life can change for the better.




Kate showing another side to her artistic nature at The Homeless Games earlier this year


For more information on the work that we do here at The Whitechapel Centre please go to our website at: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for The Whitechapel Centre, whether it be in fund raising, cooking, or more hands on support please send an email to: volunteer@whitechapelcentre.co.uk

Pre-volunteering courses help to piece together people's future at The Whitechapel Centre

At the Whitechapel Centre we run a very successful, and ever expanding volunteer program that attracts people from many different walks of life.

A number of people who join the program have come to us after experiencing a difficult period in their lives, and then use it as a way of helping their lives to get back on track and re-integrate with society.

For many of our service users that decide they may want to join the volunteer program, they must first of all take part in the pre-volunteering course.

This runs every Thursday in our Enablement Centre, Langsdale Street, Everton and provides an opportunity for those who attend to take part in various different activities.

The most recent group spent two weeks piecing together, and making for themselves, some beautiful mosaics.

Some of the wonderful mosaics made as part of the pre-volunteering course.

The group worked extremely hard on their individual pieces, and the results (as seen above and below) show that.

Each mosaic has it's own individual style influenced by the person that made it.

Other activities you might expect to take part in as throughout this program might be bingo, or even a trip out for the day.

Whether or not everyone who takes part goes on to join the full volunteer program doesn't matter, it is simply a part of the path forward in their journey of life.

To find out more about the Whitechapel's volunteering program, and the other services that we provide please go to: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk

Alternatively if you are interested in joining our volunteering program in any capacity please send an email to: volunteer@whitechapelcentre.co.uk

A real life Rapunzel in Liverpool, saved by Whitechapel's very own Princess Charming

Whitechapel support worker, Adrienne had often been called to when visiting one of her clients, by a very friendly gentleman who was leaning over his balcony on the second floor of a block of flats.

Adrienne took it upon herself to go and speak to the man who was calling her, and see what his story was as she felt he was looking for something, or maybe someone, that his shouts were a cry for help.

He had been living in his 2nd floor property, up four flights of stairs, for 19 years, with no television, or more importantly a phone.

His health did not appear to be a in a good condition, his mobility was poor, and he was unable to stand unaided. All of this was then aggravated by him suffering from asthma.  

It also transpired that he had no heating since 2008, and only had one working electrical socket, which was in the kitchen, and was overloaded with adaptors. 

Through Adrienne the Whitechapel started to work with him on the 27th September, 2012.

A letter was sent to his housing provider reporting urgently needed repairs, which were completed within a week, and a new central heating system and electric fire, with a surround were fitted.  The electrics in the flat were fully re-wired.

After that a telephone call was made to Merseyside Fire Service, raising concerns about the safety aspect of the overloaded socket, and the ability of the gentlemen to exit building in emergency. 

They visited him the following day, and provided him with a fire retardant quilt, quilt cover, pillow, pillow case, throw and fire bucket.  They also gave him much needed fire safety advice.

The next step was a referral to Careline requesting an OT (occupational therapist) assessment,  the acknowledgement for which has been received this week.

An appointment was made and kept with his GP, who he hadn’t seen for a considerable time, and immediately investigations were begun into his health issues.

A further appointment was made with a benefits adviser, so that he might be able to claim DLA  to pay for travel to all his appointments in the future. 

On top of this Adrienne has completed a number of applications for him to be able to receive help towards household items, and eventually a much needed ground floor flat.

This gentleman had been living in deprivation for over four years, and the deterioration of his health and lack of telephone had meant that he relied solely on the kindness of strangers to get through his day.

This had meant that before the Whitechapel became involved he had been taken advantage of numerous times by unkind individuals who prey on the vulnerable.

It also meant that he was unable to report any issues with his housing as he had could not telephone, or travel to see someone.

His life has now been turned around, and all within the space of six weeks, thanks to the support he received from Adrienne, and the amazing cooperation between all the different agencies in Liverpool that we liaise with every day.

When asked about his thoughts on The Whitechapel Centre the gentleman said "You work really hard, and have been brilliant". Whilst holding Adrienne's hand, and through tear filled eyes he said "Now I can have some kind of life".

When I asked Adrienne what she thought about her work  she said "The great thing is we only started working with him on 27/09/2012.  What do I think?  I just love what this organisation can do!".

This is just one example of the work that is carried out by the members of The Whitechapel's support team every day, and the positive changes we can have on the lives of individuals.




The Whitechapel Enablement Centre


To find out more about the services that we provide at The Whitechapel Centre, and about the Harm Reduction and Dual Diagnosis team that Adrienne works on, please go to: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk.

If you would like to contact us by telephone to report someone that you think may need our help please call on 0151 207 7617.

Since I first started writing this story there has been even more progress made. The gentleman has been nominated for a ground floor tenancy within his tower block meaning he will remain in a familiar area with familiar people.

His DLA claim was also accepted and backdated, so he will be able to furnish his new home, and finally have a comfortable place to live, and should be there before Christmas.

Whitechapel Support to Abstinence Success

Recently at The Whitechapel centre we have another example of a success story through the hard work of our staff and clients.

Sharon, a member of our Harm Reduction team was dealing with a lady who was suffering from an alcohol addiction.



Sharon representing The Whitechapel Centre at the recent Community Voice 'Our City, Our Services' open day. 



She was referred by her housing provider as there had been complaints from neighbours about anti-social behaviour related to her drinking, and her tenancy was at risk.

She has been drinking chaotically for 10 years this has had a negative effect on her health and well being.   

Since engaging with Whitechapel there have been no further incidents of anti-social behaviour and currently her tenancy is secure, but this wasn't the end of her story.

Sharon had encouraged her to attend the Recovery Awards, which was run by Community Voice, an enterprise that brings together people in Liverpool who use drug and alcohol services, with those who provide them.

Once there she engaged with Intuitive Recovery, who provide re-education for those with addictions, and has just completed a 4 day course with them working toward abstinence and recovery.

This is a great example of the work that The Whitechapel's Harm Reduction and Dual Diagnosis team do every day to help those who are sufferring with substance addictions.

This week The Whitechapel Centre are supprting Alcohol Awareness Week by holding various sessions at our Enablement Centre on Langsdale Street.

For more information on the daily activities which are taking place please go to our facebook page by clicking on: http://www.facebook.com/whitechapelcentre.

To find out more details about what is happening and when at our Enablement Centre please go to our monthly newsletter: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/uploads/7/6/0/9/7609171/nov_2012.pdf

If you would like to know more about all of the work that is carried out by staff at The Whitechapel Centre, and in particular by Sharon's team please take a look at our website at: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk.

David Gest does his best for The Whitechapel Centre

Last Friday evening ITV hosted a special celebrity edition of 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire'; an I'm a Celebrity Special.

Here at The Whitechapel Centre staff and service users alike could not believe it when we were told that David Gest would be taking part and donating all of his winnings to OUR SERVICES!!

David has become a familiar face around Liverpool in the run up to his eagerly awaited appearance at the Royal Court in 'A Nightmare on Lime Street'.

When asked about his choice of charity recipient David said: “I gave my good friend Margaret Harry the opportunity to make the choice for me."

“Without hesitation she said "The Whitechapel Centre, Liverpool". Margaret told me of the help they give to the homeless and rough sleepers. We both know that there but for the grace of God go I or any one of us.”

David and Jennie awaiting their next question*

 



David's partner for the occasion was Jennie Bond, and together they worked extremely hard under the pressure of time constraints, and the small matter of being on national TV, yet still managed to reach £5,000 total.

The amount was then split between each of their charities, so here at The Whitechapel Centre we received a much needed £2,500!!

We are extremely grateful to David for choosing us, and to Margaret for pointing him in our direction, not only for the money raised, but for the national recognition it has brought to the good work that we do.

For more information on the services that we provide here at The Whitechapel Centre please take a look at our website by clicking on the following link: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk.

To view David taking part in Millionaire, and doing his part to support those in need in his temporary home city of Liverpool please go to: http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/search/?Filter=who+wants+to+be+a+millionaire

*Picture courtesy of the Liverpool Echo

Whitechapel's 'DIY SOS' brings self made success

Whitechapel's resettlement worker, Sara, came across another happy ending in a lady that she visits and provides support for.

With Sara's help and support the lady in question was able to move from a hostel to her own property, which was not very homely.

She took it upon herself to make her new home her own, and started to source, and save for, reasonably priced materials.

After some months she then took it upon herself, although she was a decorating novice, to apply wallpaper, lay flooing, put up blinds, and curtains, and has had amazing results.

Sara felt so thrilled with all the hard work and commitment that had been put into the lady in question's home, after coming through a very difficult period in her life, that it was something worth shouting about, and we all agree!!

To find out more about about the services that we provide at The Whitechapel Centre please go to: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk.

Alternatively, so speak with someone please contact us on 0151 207 8601.

Sandy dances her socks 'on' for Whitechapel!

On Wednesday 31st October Sandy from the admin team at The Whitechapel Centre ran her normal Zumba class, but with a twist.

Not only were the class asked to attend in fancy dress, as appropriate for Halloween, but also to bring a new pair of socks with them as a donation for those who attend our services.

The response to her plea was huge, and by the end of the evening she had amassed an amazing 110 pairs of socks, 3 towels, and 2 scarves, and she has been promised that more are on their way!



Sandy up to her waist in socks!!


A HUGE well done goes to Sandy for all her hard work, thanks to her thoughtfulness lots more people will have warm, dry feet this winter.

To find out more about the services that we provide at The Whitechapel Centre, or to find out how you can donate, go to: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk or call us on 0151 207 8617.

A thoughtful thank you for Whitechapel's support.

This week has brought yet another example of the excellent work that is carried out by the support staff here at The Whitechapel Centre.

Whitechapel's resident curate (in her spare time!) Sara has been supporting a young client since May this year after she was forced to live in a project for young people, due to a family breakdown.



Sara at her ordination earlier this year.

 Sara found, and arranged for her to move into her own flat, in which she is thriving, making her home her own, and keeping  it in great condition.

It is the first time that the young lady had ever lived on her own before, so moving into her own flat, and being responsible for her own tenancy was a huge step for her.

All this has been achieved with the help, support and guidance of Whitechapel's Sara, and to show her gratitude she took the time, and effort to make Sara a beautiful thank you cake!



A huge amount of time and effort has been put into making this cake with beautiful results,



You never know, we might have the next winner of the Great British Bake off on our hands, Paul and Mary eat your heart out!

For more information on the work that is carried out at The Whitechapel Centre, including the Resettlement Project that Sara works on, please go to our website at: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk.