Julie Prendergast started at the Whitechapel Centre in 2001 as their first social work student. In her 18 years with the charity she saw a lot of change, much laughter – but also heartbreak.
After her placement she returned to The Whitechapel Centre, working in supported housing, then became services manager for all rough sleepers, based in the day centre at Langsdale Street.
Julie recalls, “When I started there were just 25 members of staff. The day centre was a crazy, chaotic, amazing place. We did breakfasts for 100 people and lunches too. Anyone could come. It was all things to all people so even those who were socially isolated could pop along. Over time we recognised the need to re-focus our support to ensure we were helping people leave rough sleeping rather than sustaining their street living lifestyle or rough sleeping. In 2010 we developed the Rough Sleeper Enablement Centre.
“There were moments of pure comedy. One day we did a planned fire evacuation, which turned into a farce - what with a half naked lady emerging from the showers, a man refusing to leave - and a funeral cortege going past! You see it all at Whitechapel!
We didn’t judge
“My main memory is that a lot of people got help with different things. And we always asked, ‘what do we need to do to get what the clients need?’ We worked with people who other organisations wouldn’t work with. We would keep giving chances and not judge.
“And we got partners talking to each other and working together. The Complex Needs Panel was a good initiative as we got everyone around the table and could make decisions that helped individuals. That became a wider model for meeting people’s needs.
“I helped set up a Wet Centre with the police and Alcohol Support Services, where people could safely drink in one part of the city and we trialled methadone so those who wanted to come off drugs could get a prescription from the day centre the next day. That was amazing.
“New Beginnings was set up, where people could meet others in specific interest groups. One day I met a dancer who was homeless and on drugs and we helped him. When I saw him years later he was running a dance group.
Making a difference “I know people who used to sleep on the street and went on to be staff. It’s so nice to see that journey. There are not that many jobs where you can see the difference you’re making and that’s what I loved.
“There was a guy I found outside the centre by the gates, he was in his forties and in a really bad way. We got him in and warmed up. He had reached rock bottom. Sometimes it’s only when people reach rock bottom that they are able to accept help. I was able to get him accommodation and support and he became active in our groups and flourished in his own home. “But the hardest thing was when things didn’t go to plan. To see people who didn’t make it – that was heartache. Sadly, over the years people we supported died due to violence on the street or substance misuse related issues. Several of these were people with no known relatives. We worked closely with the Council to ensure they had dignified cremations and with SFX Church to have their ashes scattered in the garden near the Centre.”
The key, said Julie, is to remember that everyone is unique and everyone has a reason for their homelessness. She added, “There was a lightbulb moment for me early in my career. Someone overdosed and I called the ambulance, while one of the clients started doing CPR. Afterwards I praised him and he told me he used to be a lifeguard. It brought home to me that he had a life before rough sleeping. I used to tell our social work students that you can assess five people a day and assume you know what’s happening but you need to listen to each person. I would tell them to drop their pens and just listen, have a conversation, get to know them.” It’s not just about those being helped. Staff played a big part in her love for The Whitechapel Centre. Julie remembers, “My overriding memory is of a team that looks out for each other – that’s so important. It was a nurturing place to work, staff supporting each other. Everyone mucked in, it was a real team. I felt valued and supported, laughed often and swore a lot!”
She sums up:
“It was only after I left and went to a national charity with its massive fundraising budget and corporate branding that I realised how unique The Whitey is:
working with clients who had been rejected by statutory agencies
sticking with people when they didn't stick to the plan (over and over)
finding new ways of doing things because the old ways weren't working
challenging the status quo
and partnering where we could to make a difference to individuals and systems.”
