Janet (not her real name) was one of Whitechapel Centre’s very first volunteers. She then joined the staff and worked for the charity for 10 years, until 2020.
Janet recalls challenges and motivations in her first job as an Outreach worker. “The most challenging thing I faced was the need to remain positive with, and for, clients who couldn’t seem to break negative cycles. As a worker you can see positive goals and the potential in clients but, for whatever reason whether it’s poor mental health or substance misuse or way of life, they make repetitive wrong choices. But as a support worker you always work at the clients’ pace as they are always in the driving seat.”
Positive milestones
Sometimes, it’s the small wins which make a big difference. “What motivated me were times when a chaotic and entrenched client would make really good positive milestone for themselves,” Janet says. “This would really spur me on and give me the confidence that if they can overcome barriers in their lives so could others.
“One person was particularly chaotic - street working, substance misuse, rough sleeping and offending. I supported him when he finally made the decision to go indoors, negotiating with the hostel of his choice to consider him. He was delighted when they agreed to accept him as he would never have gone to any other hostel. This impacted him greatly as he became more settled and sorted out his benefits and then had an income. He also addressed many negative issues around his offending and substance misuse and it even had a positive effect on his relationship with his previously estranged family.”
Dangerous moments
“There have been dangerous moments, especially when working 1/1 with clients using substances but the key thing is to follow health and safety protocol always. How you deal with the issue at that time is key – staying calm and focused always worked for me.
“One client said that without my gentle persuasion, listening ears and being there for them they wouldn’t have had the confidence themselves to be where they are today. This person now has their own tenancy, is clean from drink/drugs and recently ran a marathon!”
