Whitechapel's Support for Poverty and Homelessness Action Week

As this week is Poverty and Homelessness Action Week we here at The Whitechapel Centre want to show our support and help to raise awareness of these issues that are affecting an increasing number of people within our society

Whitechapel's very own Kevin Waldron knows first hand how easily and quickly a person's life can change as he himself has experienced homelessness first hand, and has written a wonderful poem so that he might share his experiences.

HOMELESS

I sit here in a doorway, the one I call my home.
I feels that no one cares for me, so long I've been alone.
I roam the streets both day and night, I'm looked upon as dirt.
And people just don't understand, they cause me so much hurt.
I'm socially unaccepted, I am always pushed away.
People just don't realise, I was somebody in my day.
So now I'm just a derelict, slowly crumbling deep inside.
And when the young lads come around, I have to run or hide.
I'm taunted about the way I look, I'm spat upon at times.
Why are people so cruel to me, I am slowly, slowly dying.
I really don't want much in life, just a place to call my own.
A safe place I can sleep in, a place I can call home.

Copyright: Kevin Waldron.

It is difficult for anyone who hasn't had the experience first hand to appreciate how awful it is for a person who is street homeless.

Kevin's poem helps us to understand not just the physical feelings that we may be able to relate to, the cold and discomfort, but also the emotional difficulties that people are experiencing.

There is however hope, Kevin was himself awarded the 'Unsung Hero Award' in last year's Merseyside Recovery Awards!

The award, sponsored by Pearson Fielding Solicitors, is awarded to:

"A person who is making a heroic difference in the field of recovery - A person who is humbly getting on with it, not necessarily seeking reward, thanks or recognition but nonetheless changing the lives of others in some way."

Kevin with his well deserved award.

Kevin's is a story of great hope and success, that story could be the same for the next homeless person that you might pass in the street.

To find out more about the work that we carry out at The Whitechapel Centre, or to see how you can help please go to our website at: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk

Donations to The Whitechapel

It is hard to believe that during such times of great economic down turn this Christmas we have been simply over whelmed with donations of time, money, and gifts.

We have been lucky enough to receive the proceeds from numerous fundraising events within the city, some by regular supporters, and some who are brand new.

There have been carol concerts, high profile performances, appearances on 'Celebrity Who wants to be a Millionaire', along with various other musical events.

The donations have been extremely varied, from 3 big bags of knitted hats to thousands of pounds raised and donated.

We have had food donated for Christmas day, and beyond, toiletries, toys for our family centre and lots and lots of hats, scarves and gloves.




Beautiful Christmas cake donated to us was very much enjoyed!


Fundraiser Ruth has been kept extremely busy sending out thank you letters and certificates to show our appreciation for everything we have had.

It is worth also mentioning that we also received some anonymous donations, for which we are unable to send personal a personal thank you, so to all those who may have given without providing your details, THANK YOU!!

Along with all the physical gifts that people have given, we have been inundated with volunteers, offering their time, whether it be to work with people directly, or to fundraise by shaking buckets or organising events.

We are also thrilled that people have thought of us when sorting through their wardrobes this winter time, the number of clothes that have been given is simply over whelming!

Winter supplies that have been donated, for some people it may  be the thought of a warm breakfast that we can provide them with that will help them through a cold winter's night on the streets (left).

Volunteers Jim and Tina have been very busy sorting through the many clothes and blankets that we have been donated (below).



Through an initiative at the Town Hall we received a huge number of gorgeous coats that have been very much welcomed by those who use our services. They are something that will not only keep people warm throughout winter, but are a treat as something new.



WOW!!





As an organisation, trustees, staff, volunteers and those who use our services are completely overwhelmed with the generosity of all that have kept us in their thoughts and spent their time, money and efforts providing for us this winter.

THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!!



Happy Christmas from all at The Whitechapel Centre!!

Christmas day at The Whitechapel Centre was extremely popular this year, with over 40 people coming to join the festivities.

The day started at 7.30am when our resident Christmas Day caterer, Khadi, came and made a start on breakfast.



Joe, Khadi and Jo working hard in the kitchen.


Those who were there early were treated to a full breakfast in preparation for the dinner that lay ahead.

Whilst this was going on, senior manager Julie was being interviewed by BBC Breakfast news in regards to the plight of the homeless, it was a very busy morning!

Volunteers had been in on Christmas Eve to help with peeling and chopping, all that was needed was Khadi's magic touch in the kitchen to pull it all together.

Dinner was piled, very strategically of course, on to plates including a beautiful roast pork that had been donated by Kate and Tony Chinn.





Clair, Khadi and Adrienne ensuring everyone gets their fair share of sprouts!

 
Dinner was served by staff with great speed, and strict precision, thanks to manager Clair's super organisational skills.



The Enablement Centre was full and a very happy place to be on Christmas Day.



The meal was rounded off with a bit of karaoke and a very popular game of bingo, with prizes.

Everyone who attended received a Christmas gift which included many of the donations that people had given before the day commenced.

The whole day was a huge success, and all the staff that were there, despite having to work extremely hard, thoroughly enjoyed themselves, I'm told it was a very special day.

This year has been amazing for us all here at The Whitechapel Centre, the generosity of time, money and gifts that people have given has been overwhelming.

To show their appreciation for all that has been achieved this year The Whitechapel Centre's board of trustees wanted to send a personal message via their chair, Terry Crolley:

"On behalf of my fellow Trustees I should be grateful if you would convey our appreciation to all staff, volunteers and visitors who have contributed so much to the welfare of service users at this time. We also wish everybody a very happy new year and best wishes for 2013."

On that positive note it is only left for me to say:

Have a very Happy Christmas, and a wonderful New Year!!!

Happy Christmas from all at The Whitechapel Centre!!



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

The Day that Everton's Naismith came to Dinner (or paid for and served it!) at The Whitechapel Centre

It has been a very busy week at The Whitechapel's Enablement Centre in Everton, we were on the Telly!!

In fact, we were on the TV (the news primarily) and in various papers, including the city's own Liverpool Echo.

Firstly Channel 4 news popped in and interviewed some of our regular attendees, staff, volunteers, even our fabulous CEO, David Carter.

Following that, and perhaps a little more exciting for those who use our services, Everton striker Steven Naismith held a press conference in our Enablement Centre!!




The Press Conference!!


Lots of press were there to see Steven serving dinner to Joe and John, regular attenders of our daily enablement sessions.

Steven serving Joe and John their dinner, nice to be waited on!



The day was a huge success, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all, even those who claimed to be camera shy to begin with!
All the staff loved the experience, even if it wasn't a little bit fraught at times, particularly for rainy day in Liverpool, always a busy time for us.

MOVE manager Pauline managed to get a photo with Steven as her sons are both devout Evertonians!

Pauline and Steven.

We would like to send a big thank you to all who helped to organised the day, and especially to those who aid us in showing the great work that The Whitechapel carry out.

For more information on the services that we provide in Merseyside, or if you would like to make a donation, please go to our website at: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk.

Asda make Whitechapel's Christmas Dinner (round 1!)

Regular supporter of The Whitechapel Centre Lorraine, from Asda on Utting Avenue, came in this week to donate, prepare, and serve Christmas dinner.

Lorraine is very well accustomed to the kitchen at our Enablement Centre as the store she works in regularly donates breakfast to be cooked and given to those who use our services.




Christmas dinner was however a much bigger task, so Lorraine brought her good friend Gail with her as chief cook and bottle washer!



No Christmas dinner escapes the 'dreaded' sprouts!



Whilst the ladies worked hard in the the kitchen, their expectant diners built up their appetites by themselves working hard on Christmas decorations.



Making decorations, cards and calendars



Dinner was soon ready, and Lorraine began to serve the waiting crowds with their nutritious, hot meal to celebrate the forthcoming festivities.

Dinner is served!!

 The meal was, as predicted a resounding success, and all that took part were very grateful to Lorraine for all her hard work, and made a card to show their appreciation.

Thank you Lorraine and all at Asda, Utting Avenue!!

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







Whitechapel's Enablement Centre gets ready for Christmas!

Christmas time is a very busy time for all at our Enablement Centre in Langsdale Street, and this year has been no exception!

Demand for all of our services is increased at this time of year, with the weather turning colder and nights drawing in earlier.

Despite this though there is always time for some Christmas cheer, and one of our hard working support workers, Ruby, always finds time to put the Christmas tree up, with a little help from her friends!

Most of us enjoy putting our tree up at the beginning of this festive season, but there are those who cant afford the luxury, or don't have a home to put it in.

It is not only the cold weather and dark nights that can cause people difficulties at  this time of year, it can prove as a harsh reminder to some, of the people, and the things that they wish were in their lives.

For those who are already vulnerable it can be a time where their physical and mental health is put at risk.

Bearing that in mind, Ruby's aim is to bring some happiness and community to those who attend our Enablement Centre, to show that they not only have a tree to look at and decorate, but many friends to share that feeling with.

Ruby's 'Little Helpers' David, Joseph, Wayne and Aron

For more information about the services that we provide at The Whitechapel Centre or to find out about our Cold Weather Shelter please go to: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk





Everton's Naismith signs up to helping The Whitechapel Centre

Everton player Steven Naismith has chosen to support the homeless of Liverpool by paying for, and hosting a Christmas lunch at our Enablement Centre in Everton.

The Everton striker currently supports a homeless charity in Glasgow, and felt that he wanted to do something similar in the city that he now calls home.

Steven Naismith playing for Everton FC

We couldn't be happier that Steven has chosen The Whitechapel Centre to host his meal for the homeless of our city, and those who use our services feel exactly the same!

For us it is wonderful that someone with such standing within the community has recognised the need to support those less privileged than themselves, whilst at the same time bringing recognition to the work that we do.

It will be a very exciting day for all those involved, and more importantly will provide a warm and fulfilling meal for the homeless and hungry of Liverpool.

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