Jenny is an Assertive Outreach Worker and has been with the Whitechapel Centre for five years.
She says, “I worked in leaving care, supporting young people in the care system to live independently in their own home once they turned 18. But I saw some young people street homeless and wanted to try and support those who were falling through the gap.
“We experience daily challenges on Outreach and have to think on our feet and often outside the box. We helped a lady in her 40s off the streets. She’d been rough sleeping for two years and had become entrenched. She didn’t engage for a year but we still returned daily, offering food and drink. Eventually she engaged with us and we placed her in a Whitechapel funded B&B for a number of weeks. Support was given while there and once she settled we referred her for a property and moved her into a one bedroom house, with support from our resettlement team. This lady is now living independently and no longer needs support from homeless services. She thanks us for transforming her life and giving her a chance.
“This makes me proud to work for The Whitechapel Centre as I see first-hand the difference we make to people’s lives.
“My team and colleagues in Whitechapel are supportive during difficult times and I have a strong bond with many workers outside of my team, sharing problems helps me keep motivated as colleagues often share ideas.”
