​Danny is getting back into the game thanks to his love of football.
 
After spending a year sofa-surfing Danny had exhausted the goodwill of his small circle of family and friends. As life got harder for Danny, losing his job and being unable to get along with his family, he had run out of options, he felt he had nowhere to go and no one to ask for help.  
 
It is hard to image in the heat of this year’s fabulous summer that only a few months ago the temperatures outside were so low that Met Office issued a red weather warning. As the “Beast from the East” brought record low temperatures in February, Danny spent a couple of dangerously cold and wet nights sleeping on the streets. Luckily, he looked for help in St John’s Shopping Centre One Stop Advice Shop, and was advised to visit The Whitechapel Centre. Danny was able to get a hot shower, fresh clothes and a warm meal before spending the night in Labre House, The Whitechapel Centre’s overnight shelter for anyone rough sleeping in Liverpool.  
 
Danny has always been a massive fan of football since he was young; a life-long supporter of Liverpool FC, and until recently playing football “like a religion” every day. It wasn’t long after attending the centre that Danny join The Whitechapel Centre's weekly football training sessions, and then started playing in our official team, taking part in the monthly Spirit of Merseyside football tournaments.

Through football he has made new friends, gained confidence, and built a regular routine back into his life. Danny has been temporarily housed in Labre House until, with the support of The Whitechapel Centre, he finds more permanent accommodation. We have helped Danny apply for jobs and he has just secured a job at a local sports venue refereeing and leading football training sessions. Danny believes that his love for football has kept him going over the past few months:  
 
“Even when times go bad you got to keep believing, got to stay strong.”
 
Danny is looking forward to the future, and is loving playing and watching football again. 
 
If you would like to help us continue our work with people like Danny, find out how you can help here. 

Brendan Burris, Donated Goods and Administrative  Volunteer



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Brendan Burris, age 23, Administrative and Donated Goods Volunteer provides a essential sorting service to help us make the most of the generous donations that are received daily at The Whitechapel Centre, and helps out with general administrative duties. 

My day starts with …….
I am naturally an early riser normally awake at 5 am to eat breakfast, exercise, catch-up on the day’s news, and to get ready for my day. I am much more of a morning person, partly because of having to get up early to attend school, and for previous jobs.

I’m responsible for ……..
I usually work two days a week for The Whitechapel Centre. On one of the days, I am responsible for managing the inflow of donations that people bring to the Centre. I organised those donations into categories, and arrange for either their safe storage or distribution of items to our service users. While volunteering in the admin office, I do whatever is needed, whether that is filing, photocopying or inputting data. I try to do whatever I can.

I got the job …..
I wanted to give back to the community; I see it as somewhat of a responsibility that we have as citizens to work together to make the environment around us as peaceful as possible. Volunteering at The Whitechapel Centre is a great opportunity to give back to those around us that truly need our help .  The Pre-volunteer course really opened my eyes to the scope of the work that The Whitechapel Centre does as an organisatio. My awareness before I started was focused solely on the centre on Langsdale Street; the course made me realise the many services that The Whitechapel Centre provides.

My most memorable moment……
The new people I have met, whether volunteers or service users, and the connections I have made - these are definitely some of the most memorable moments I have had.

The best part of my job…..
It is amazing to be able to help service users and see the appreciation they have for the staff and volunteers. The best time of the year has to be Christmas when huge amounts of donations come in and we are kept real busy!

I am grateful for…..
Being fortunate enough that I can give back my time and energy towards volunteering.

After work I enjoy…..
A good book,  I enjoy reading books, mostly non-fiction and historical, playing and watching different sports and when time allows, travelling and exploring new places and cities. 

If you are inspired by Brendan's story, and would like to find out more about volunteering at The Whitechapel Centre click on the link below to find out more about the skills we’re looking for and the current volunteer vacancies: 

www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/volunteer-with-us.html

If you would like to donate items please go to our website to find out what can be donated and where you can donate these items: 

www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/donate-goods.html

Gary Groves, Volunteer Breakfast Chef, The Whitechapel Centre 
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Gary Groves, age 53, volunteers in The Whitechapel Centre kitchen every Saturday morning, he is also the Patient Mentor for The Whitechapel Centre based at Brownlow Health, providing health service in the heart of the city.

My day starts with …….
I normally wake up around 5:00am; get washed, changed, check my diary and potter around in my office whilst listening to my local radio station with a cup of tea and give my dog Roxy her daily chew stick.  I take Roxy out for her usual hour walk around the local park, when we get back I finish getting ready and leave for work after saying goodbye and I love you to my Roxy.

I’m responsible for ……..
As volunteer chef, I cook breakfast on a Saturday morning for people accessing the support services at The Whitechapel Centre. There can be up to 60 breakfasts served up each morning, which is a challenge, but I love the idea of giving people who have slept rough a good meal to start their day. In my day job during the week I support people attending the Brownlow Health Surgery. I work with Brownlow Health patients, people sleeping rough, people who have alcohol & drug dependencies, and other vulnerable adults that may be in danger of becoming homeless or have various problems in their lives.

I got the job ….. 
As a result of three years hard work, studying to gain accredited qualifications in different areas of the Health & Social Care sector following my own treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in the Sharp Treatment Centre.  My Support Worker from The Whitechapel Centre organised a place on a Pre-volunteering training course as part of my support plan. The course helped me build my self-esteem and confidence, which enabled me to start interacting with other people again. The training also helped fill my days, which was very important to keep me busy and focused on my recovery. After graduating from the training course I began to volunteer for The Whitechapel Centre working in a range of roles from supporting clients, accompanying visits out, to cooking breakfast in The Whitechapel Centre’s kitchen. I then became a mentor for Liverpool Waves of Hope project, helping clients with complex needs and I was eventually offered employment in my current role at Brownlow Health to support The Whitechapel Centre’s service users attending the GP surgery.

My typical day…..
Like most people that work supporting homelessness I don't really have a typical day. Every day is completely different , you just  don't know what issues are going to come in through the front door.  As a Patient Mentor Support Worker, for Brownlow Health the support that I give can simply be making a phone call or filling in a form  to discussing very complex problems and finding the right help to meet their needs. 

My most memorable moment…… 
I have many memorable experiences whilst working for The Whitechapel Centre and The Brownlow. Making a difference in peoples lives and being able to support, guide and listen  to what they have to say and being able to achieve a positive outcome regarding their Health & Wellbeing and other personal issues is extremely rewarding.

The worst part of my job…..
I absolutely love my job, and I couldn’t say there was a worst part. However I really don’t like how in today’s society, there is so much stigma, misunderstanding and ignorance surrounding the issue of homelessness. I am very passionate and empathetic, and I will go to any lengths to help someone and to make a difference in their life.

The best part of my job…..
I work closely with the nurses and doctors at the Brownlow Health Surgery and The Whitechapel Centre Homeless Team; this vital collaborative work creates positive results for the people we work support, which is great for all concerned.

I am grateful for…..
The Whitechapel Centre and the staff, I will be forever grateful as they have been and still are a major factor in my recovery today.

After work…..
I enjoy the company of my amazing loyal companion Roxy, my 7 year old Rottweiler, and taking her for walks. I love listening to music, and keeping fit. I also attend AA & CA Meetings as part of my continuing recovery for which I am a Sponsor ; supporting other struggling Alcoholics and Drug Addicts.

On a Saturday, I return to my volunteering role at The Whitechapel Centre to cook breakfast. The most important meal of the day,  especially if you have been rough sleeping.
 
 
If you are inspired by Gary's story, and would like to find out more about volunteering at The Whitechapel Centre click on the link below to find out more about the skills we’re looking for and the current volunteer vacancies: 

www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/volunteer-with-us.html

​To celebrate Volunteer Week 2018 we are showcasing the valuable work that our team of volunteers deliver. 

​​​Jan Forest, Volunteer Switchboard Operator

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Jan Forrest, age 62, volunteers one day at The Whitechapel Centre week to cover the switchboard, providing valuable behind the scenes support for our administrative team. 
 
My day starts with …….
My day starts with getting up and having breakfast with my husband. I leave the house around 9.15am and drive to The Whitechapel Centre to arrive in time for the start of my shift at 10am.

I’m responsible for ……..
Every Wednesday morning I answer the incoming calls to the switchboard at The Whitechapel Centre.  We get all kinds of callers and queries including those from individuals, the Police, Probation Service, hospital staff, GP’s, the press and numerous other agencies. Calls received from the public include queries from concerned families trying to trace their loved ones, calls from people facing homelessness, from service users and those wishing to donate goods.

I got the job …..
I retired from teaching eighteen months ago after working 25 years at Liverpool Community College. I always intended to undertake a volunteer role and the ever growing presence of homelessness in Liverpool prompted me to look at charities for the homeless. The Whitechapel Centre stood out to me because of their hands on approach and the work they carry out to offer support and encouragement to people at risk homelessness, or who are rough sleeping.  The Whitechapel Centre trains all their volunteers before they place them into a support role. The Pre-Volunteer training course was a good way to learn more about the organisation and to meet other volunteers.  We are also invited to a volunteer social event a few times a year, which has given me the opportunity to meet other people volunteering in The Whitechapel Centre, and chat about the many varied roles that they carry out.

My typical day…..
I don’t really have a typical day – no two days are ever the same on the switchboard.  Part of the switchboard role is to support lone working, by monitoring the movements of our Support Workers; ensuring that The Whitechapel Team are working safely in the community.  I also, help with a variety of administrative tasks, which are pretty wide ranging.

My most memorable moment……
Recently, I helped out at the Whitechapel sleep out at Liverpool Cathedral, which was an amazing experience. The atmosphere and generosity of those taking part was touching and gave me a real buzz to be involved.
 
The best part of my role…..
The best part of my job is the variety of the work and the brilliant team of people I get to work with.

After work I enjoy…..
I am often away visiting my three sons and their families and every week I travel to Leeds to look after my 16 month old grand-daughter. My hobbies include yoga, going to the gym, walking and I also help out at a Mum and Toddler group at my local church.I always make time to catch up with friends over coffee or lunch!

If you are inspired by Jan's story, and would like to find out more about volunteering at The Whitechapel Centre click on the  link below to find out more about the skills we’re looking for and the current volunteer vacancies: 

www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk/volunteer-with-us.html

Last January I was looking for a new challenge. I was fed up with spending money on gym memberships that I rarely used and breaking new year’s resolutions. I wanted to find something that I could stick to.  I’ve always enjoyed walking, so when I saw the 1000 mile challenge, to walk 1000 miles in 1 year, I knew I had to do it.
Unlike other big challenges, like running in a 10k or climbing the 3 peaks, there was no need to sign up, pay a registration fee or train. It was a personal challenge that I could do as and when I wanted to.  To keep me motivated, I decided to fundraise whilst I completed the challenge. That way I could help other people, whilst helping myself.
I set up a Just Giving page, which meant I could tell my friends and family all over about the challenge I set myself. I was always updating the page with my progress, so everyone could see how determined I was to complete the challenge.

To get me started, I walked 3 -4 miles every weekend with my friend Joanne, and a couple of miles ‘mid-week walk’ after work with Cassie. We’d usually time our weekend walks for whenever Joanne’s husband was watching the match! Having friends with me was a great help, especially when it was so cold and knees were aching! In the first couple of months, at the end of every walk, I’d put a bag of frozen peas on my knees!
From there I started going for walks on even more after work walks, or whenever friends asked to meet up, I’d say only if we can go for a walk! This got some of my none-walking friends walking! The miles soon added up and the more I did it, the easier it got. Joanne and I then stared going on longer walks and we signed up to the Wirral Coastal Walk in June, and went on walking holidays to Snowdonia, the Lake District, and along the Jurassic Coast. It was a great excuse to go and visit somewhere different.

Walking was also a great way to de-stress too. I work long hours and it can get a bit manic, so this forced me to have a better work/life balance.

Aside from the walking, I had a great time fundraising too. The Fundraising team at The Whitechapel Centre sent over some t-shirts for us to wear on the walks, as well as collection cans and information about how the money I was raising was helping. I’d talk about the challenge to anybody I could and everyone would ask how I was getting on. It was brilliant to see so many people wanting to support me; even my hairdresser sponsored me! 
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The last 100 miles during December was quite a slog, especially with the weather and dark nights, but the support and encouragement I got from friends and colleagues was amazing - especially my boss! He even told the whole school about my challenge in the Christmas Assembly and had a bucket collection on the last day of term! The first I knew was when he started talking from the stage and I suddenly thought ‘Aaaghh! He’s talking about me!’.  He even gave me a bottle of Prosecco to take up Moel Famau on Christmas Eve!

I completed my challenge on Christmas Eve at the top of Moel Famau. I raised £1266.50 and celebrated with a bottle of bubbly. I’ve not stopped there though. I’m already 176 miles in to 2018’s 1000 miles - I know, I’m nuts! But I’m thinking of trying a few other challenges which people might sponsor me for as part of the mileage - age, asthma and arthritic knees permitting!!!