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We serve people, not homeless people
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Whitechapel Mission
a
promise
From its
foundation in 1876, Whitechapel continues caring for the poor and homeless of
London regardless of race or religion, in their struggle against hunger,
poverty, disease, prejudice and exclusion |
In 1876 the forerunner of the Whitechapel Mission was
inaugurated as `The Working Lads' Institute and Home at a Public Meeting in the
Mansion House, presided over by the Lord Mayor of London. Little is known of
the founder, Mr Henry Hill, but the work was conducted from rented premises at
The Mount, Whitechapel Road, London until 1885 when a brand new building was
constructed to house the work at 285 Whitechapel Road (famous as the building
housing the enquiry into the 'Jack the Ripper' case) and was opened by Queen
Alexandra, King Edward VII also attended. The work was continued by
a Methodist minister, Revd Thomas Jackson from 1896 as was its association with
the burgers of the City continued, and each year the Lord Mayor of London and
Sherrifs attended the anniversary celebrations. The Mission then
was to keep the doors of the Institute open to orphan and destitute lads. Food,
clothing, lodgings, and friendship were provided for upwards of 3,200 needy
homeless between the ages of fourteen and eighteen years. In its
first year the Institute served over 11,000 breakfasts and was open each and
every morning for the homeless of any age.
It has continued to be a
lifeline for many poor and homeless people in the East End of
London. We are the last chance for many people. Our goal
is to take care of all people coming through our doors. We provide
hot food and drink, showers, clothing, free toilets and the chance of a wash
and brush-up. But that is not what we are about. Our goal
is to empower people that are excluded and we begin that process by creating an
environment built on trust, belonging and understanding.
Whitechapel
Mission is 'family'. We provide a safe, informal, friendly,
hassle-free place where people can come and find warmth and shelter, without
being moved on by a policeman or angry shopkeepers, or kicked, sworn at and
spat upon by passers-by. We promote the concept of being part of the
Mission and taking ownership of the Mission. Any and all who come
are welcome. There are no forms to be filled in, no interviews, no
interrogations. No personal records are kept. We are an
inclusion centre rather than an exclusion
centre.
a promise
We are known on the street as the Cavell
Street Mission and have become famous for our cooked breakfasts. More than 150
people each morning join us to enjoy this breakfast, and many more visit to
take advantage of a shower, clean clothing, medical attention and good toilet
facilities with somewhere to have a shave, wash up after a night sleeping on
the street. We are known for these services to the homeless and with the help
of our many volunteers and supporters, we are good at the delivery.
And
yet this is not what Whitechapel is about! Whitechapel is all about a promise -
we promise that whatever mess your life maybe in, whomever else may have let
you down, at 6am tomorrow morning our doors will open and you will receive a
warm welcome. We will not bar you or exclude you. If your behaviour is not
acceptable you will be asked to leave, but will be welcome back.
To keep
this promise the Mission needs to be open tomorrow and the day after. We need
to stay open on Bank Holidays and at Christmas. We have to be open every day.
We are the stability in chaotic lives. We are the rock on which people can rely
and maybe begin to rebuild their lives.
But it is also about the warm
welcome. A plain welcome is not enough! A warm welcome, acknowledging
individuals and making sure they understand they have value and are worth the
effort. Our many volunteers deliver this message every day. It is not the fact
that they prepare, cook and serve breakfast, but how they serve breakfast. With
a smile and a pleasant word, confirming at the beginning of each day that we
believe everyone has potential and we are here to support them all. We do make
a difference every day, but only because of the support of people like
you.
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Founded in 1876, Whitechapel has been caring for the
poor and homeless of London regardless of race or religion,
in their
struggle against hunger, poverty, disease, prejudice and exclusion.
Tel: 0207 247
8280
Registered Charity No:
227905
Fax: 0207 392
2726
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