The Whitechapel Centre

Are you looking for a way to help people in need in your community? Our services rely on people who selflessly give up their time to help others. We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities so there is something to suit everyone. We value our volunteers as much for their life experiences as for their qualifications. All applicants will undergo induction training which will present them with the necessary skills required to work effectively with us.

Research shows that volunteering really does have a positive impact on health. It raises self-esteem and confidence, helps you gain new skills and make new friends, and brings a positive sense of purpose to your life.

If you have never volunteered before and aren’t sure if it is for you; you may want to join the volunteer training programme delivered by our MOVE Project. Maybe you have a specific skill that you can offer? Volunteer opportunities are many at The Whitechapel Centre and range from cooking breakfast for Rough Sleepers, sorting donated goods, right the way through to providing administrative support or serving on our Board of Trustees.

If you would like to volunteer with us please fill in an online application form, alternatively return the downloadable application form or e-mail us for information.

Join us... We'd value your help

Volunteer Training

Pre Volunteer Courses
 Activity programmes will run twice weekly for eight weeks Monday and Friday 1pm-3pm and are an opportunity to learn new skills and have fun. They are designed to increase motivation, build skills, self esteem and confidence.

8 Week Volunteer Course.
 We aim to provide high quality support and training to enable homeless/socially excluded people to become skilled volunteers, enhancing inclusion. The training programme will run every Wednesday 12pm-4pm for 8 weeks. The Whitechapel Centre recognises that people experiencing homelessness have sometimes also experienced addiction and criminal justice involvement, all voluntary programmes take this into account so please do not feel that this is a barrier.

2 day Intensive Voluntary Training Course:
Aimed at people who are able to demonstrate a high level of skills, knowledge and/or experience which means that intensive 2 day training will adequately prepare them for a volunteer role. These may include:

• Previous paid/voluntary experience.
• Life experience.
• Academic skills.
• Specific skills (e.g foreign language skills.)

Volunteer Placements
We have a variety of roles in which people can help us either by working with our staff at the Enablement Centre or befriending people who are in their own accommodation.

Placements are available to people who:

• Have successfully completed either a 2day or 8week volunteer course.
• are able to commit to 6months and 5hours minimum each week.
• We have received Satisfactory references. Satisfactory CRB check ( the Whitechapel will risk assess each person on an individual basis so what’s happened in the past won’t necessarily affect your placement.)

Here are some of the roles that our volunteers have been involved in:

• Triage – Welcoming people to our Rough Sleeper Enablement Centre, helping to ensure safety and smooth running of the centre.
• Managing food/clothes donations.
• Preparing/Serving food.
• Supporting or leading activity sessions.
• Providing translation services.
• Accompanying service users to appointments.
• Befriending someone and offering someone who is socially excluded the companionship they so desperately need.

Tutoring
Do you have a skill or hobby that you could share? Are you a teacher and have some spare time that you can give? We are always in need of tutors to deliver structured learning sessions or activity sessions in our Enablement Centre. If you have a few hours to give and are willing to deliver a few sessions to our service users please contact us by phoning 0151 2077617 and ask for the Enablement Centre Manager or alternatively via the webform or via e-mail