Whitechapel Centre visit to the Pagoda Chinese Community Centre, and to FACT

On Tuesday 26th February a group of service users, led by staff member (and tutor) Carole, visited the Pagoda Chinese Community Centre  on Henry Street, Liverpool.




The world famous Chinese Archway in Liverpool's China Town


Liverpool has a large and hugely important Chinese community which the centre provides various different activities and services for.

A guide took them through the centre, advising them of the services that they themselves would be able to access, for example Tai Chi and Chi Gong.

The centre itself looked very attractive, it's walls were still adorned with decoration fro the recent new year's celebrations.

There were colourful dragons and beautiful Chinese calligraphy all around the building making it a feast for the eyes.

On the day there were two sessions that visitors were able to see, firstly the ESOL lesson (English Speaking for Other Languages) classes that we also hold in our Enablement Centre.

Even more exciting they were able to have a listen to the Chinese Youth Orchestra, comprised of many talented young musicians, as they were in to practice that day.

At the end of the visit Carole was aware that none of the members of her group had ever heard of, let alone visited FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) the UK's leading organisation for the support & exhibition of film, art and new media.




FACT


The group looked around the multimedia centre and sat down for a much needed refreshment after such an interesting day finding out new things about their city.

For more information on the services that we provide and the activities that take place at our Enablement Centre please go to: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk

Cold Weather Shelter 2013

Liverpool’s Cold Weather Provision will be opening tonight, Wednesday 27 February, 2013 as temperatures are predicted to drop to 0 degrees or lower for three nights of more. 

It will remain open until further notice. 

The shelter is based at St Stephen’s with St Catherine’s Church, Crown St, Liverpool, L8.

For more information, including a map of how to get there and to find out who is eligible to attend, please click on the link below:

http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/cold-weather-provision.html

If you see someone you think is rough sleeping please contact the No2NO reporting line on 0300 123 2041. This number is to be used only to report a rough sleeper; if you have any other issues please either:

Call us on: 0151 207 7617 or email at: info@whitechapelcentre.co.uk

Cold Weather Shelter 2013

The cold weather shelter is now closed until further notice.

For more information please visit our website at: http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk

Cold Weather Shelter 2013

Liverpool’s Cold Weather Provision will be opening on the night of Wednesday 20 February, 2013 as temperatures are predicted to drop to 0 degrees or less for three nights of more.  It will be open until further notice. 

The shelter is based at St Stephen’s with St Catherine’s Church, Crown St, Liverpool, L8.

 

For more information, including a map of how to get there and to find out who is eligible to attend, please click on the link below:

http://www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/cold-weather-provision.html

If you see someone you think is rough sleeping please contact the No2NO reporting line on 0300 123 2041. This number is to be used only to report a rough sleeper; if you have any other issues please either:

Call us on: 0151 207 7617 or email at: info@whitechapelcentre.co.uk


 

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