​The Whitechapel Centre has won one of five coveted awards at Homeless Link’s national Excellence Awards 2025, in partnership with SHAP and Liverpool City Council.
 
Homeless Link is the national membership charity for frontline homelessness organisations, and its annual awards recognise the innovative and impactful work happening across the sector to support people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping in England.
 
The Whitechapel Centre, SHAP and Liverpool City Council won the Successful Partnerships award for their end-of-life care for clients living in a substance addiction harm reduction service.
 
The service’s “eyes-wide-open” approach to addiction enables clients who would normally be excluded from services to receive treatment and support at a sensitive time. Through effective partnership work, clients have the dignity to choose their preferred place of death.
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The partners were selected from 115 entries to the Excellence Awards across the five categories, 29 of which were shortlisted. The judging panel, composed of five experts from across the homelessness sector, commended the partners for their service’s thorough approach and for providing support for people typically excluded from mainstream services.
 
Whitechapel Centre CEO David Carter said, “Our team and partners work together incredibly well and we’re thrilled to receive this award. Our residents see this service as their home and it’s wonderful that, thanks to partners, they can remain with us in their last days.”
 
Rick Henderson, Chief Executive of Homeless Link, added, “Homeless Link’s annual Excellence Awards highlight the innovative, impactful and dedicated work happening across the country to ensure that people have a place to call home and the support they need to keep it. Homelessness organisations are managing extremely high levels of demand from people with increasingly complex support needs, while continuing to face significant financial pressures, and it’s important to recognise these exceptional efforts.
 
“The Whitechapel Centre and its partners have worked hard to form effective partnerships with a spectrum of local services to ensure that the people they are supporting can receive the treatment and end of life care they need. We congratulate them on receiving this award.”

Full awards listing here

Have you been helped by The Whitechapel Centre? Did we help get you off the streets and into a home? Or advised you on how to prevent becoming homeless? Or supported a member of your family? Or do you volunteer for us? Have worked for us?

The Whitechapel Centre fights to end homelessness but sadly we are 50 this year. Sadly, because we are still needed, five decades later.
Manager Ruth McCaughley said, “We’re not celebrating our 50th birthday - we’ll only celebrate when we’re not needed anymore. However, we can celebrate the impact we’ve made and we’ll be marking our 50th with a series of lovely awareness raising events as we reflect on all the lives we’ve helped transform. So, we’d like to hear from individuals who have been involved with us. Whether it was in the beginning, in the mid 70s, or any time since. We’d love to hear how The Whitechapel Centre supported you, so we can use your stories in various ways throughout 2025.”

If you have a story about how The Whitechapel Centre helped you / your family, or how working or volunteering for us has impacted your life, please fill in the contact form below or email [email protected]. You may want to consider: 
How did The Whitechapel Centre help you? What year was it? What you were going through? What happened and where are you now?

On what is known as Blue Monday – the most depressing day of the year – Dany our Suppawt helper took over social media. Taking Dany on our rounds is a great way of breaking down barriers – people focus on Dany and open up more. Her social media pawsts were so good we thought we’d add them here.

9am: What a pawsome day! As I travelled round meeting people who were sleeping rough, I was thrilled to be stroked. They didn’t want to be photographed but I heard them tell Aunty Fi: “Dogs are the best, they make you feel better.” 

11am: I’m still barking with excitement. While hounding the streets, the people I met, who are sadly experiencing homelessness, were so happy to see me. As they stroked me they were more willing to chat with Fi. They also said, “She’s so lovely, I love seeing her”, “she’s so soft to stroke” and, “This has made my day - thank you.”

1pm: When we went back to a centre I was stroked by a service user who said, “She’s so soft and gentle, she’s very calming” and another said, “I’ve had to have my dog put to sleep, so this is lovely - thank you so much.”

3pm: It’s a dog’s life! Even a cool job like this has paperwork! 

4pm: Well, now it’s time for a pawformance review with Aunty Fi me and my senior manager Sophie… A round of a-paws for Aunty Fi, it all went well!

5pm: All in a day’s work. Helping people feel more confident to chat with Aunty Fi is so rewarding - it’s the leash I can do. Sometimes it’s a ruff day but not today. Time for treats and a rest. Thank you for going on walkies with me today and sorry for the paw-ful puns! Good night!

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​The Whitechapel Centre is working to help all those without a home in the Liverpool region, from prevention to food packages, to supported accommodation, to outreach for people rough sleeping, and much more. We’re here for people who are homeless this Christmas, as we are throughout the year.

For Steve* it was a combination of many of these. He’s 22 now. He was sleeping rough as he faced mental health issues including PTSD, depression, anxiety, paranoia, and ADHD. Unsurprisingly he turned to drugs. 
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Overwhelmed

A Whitechapel Centre staff member, Jason*, began working with Steve, who longed to reduce his drug use, move to independent accommodation, and access the benefits he was entitled to.

He was housed in a hostel but felt overwhelmed and his drug use spiralled.

​Jason offered practical support with Universal Credit and PIP applications, which were successful and provided financial stability. Jason said, “This practical assistance built trust. I was there whenever he needed someone to talk to.”  

Growing confidence

As Steve had a passion for exercise, Jason suggested they go to the gym together. Jason explained, “Although progress was slow at first, he eventually began to enjoy the workouts. As we attended more regularly, Steve became encouraging and motivating, not only for himself but for me, showcasing his natural talent for supporting others. This was a key moment, as it helped him rediscover a sense of purpose and achievement. We started to meet our fitness goals together. As his confidence grew he started to invest more time and energy in this pursuit. He saved his money to spend on gym classes, and equipment. During this period his substance use decreased significantly.”

Steve continued cutting back on the drugs but realised they were too easily accessible and so wanted to move to his own flat.

Jason took Steve to sign up for a course at a local sports organisation, which helps young people gain work and life skills, and provides free programmes including daily sports activities, mentoring, and qualifications like Maths and English. When Steve completed the course, he was offered the opportunity to pursue a personal training qualification, which he jumped at.​

From surviving to thriving

Steve eventually moved into his own flat, started budgeting effectively, and now manages his finances well. He no longer uses drugs. Jason added, “His newfound stability allowed him to thrive, both personally and socially. He’s now dating and enjoys attending concerts and spending time with friends. He even took up playing an instrument again, and his performances reflect his growing confidence and enjoyment of life. He now prioritises his well-being above everything else and is in the process of completing his personal training course.”

Our street outreach team visit those who are sleeping rough every day and we get over 2,000 calls a month to our phone hotline Always Help Available. If you see someone sleeping rough in Liverpool you can call 0300 123 2041 so we can follow up.

If you would like to help those in Merseyside facing Christmas without a home, please take part in our Christmas appeal, you could help buy Christmas dinner and a gift (£25), donate goods or support in other ways.
 
*Both names changed to protect identities 
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