MEP provides a tailored, intensive learning and life skills programme of support for people experiencing homelessness and have a range of additional support needs.  The programme of support is designed to empower members to get involved in making changes for themselves in order build their confidence, self-esteem and identify their interests and aspirations.  By doing this we help members create a sense of purpose and belonging in the community so as to promote sustainable resettlement, thereby halting cycles of homelessness.

Since April 2022 we have received, engaged and worked with a total of 293 referrals.  All were experiencing homelessness and had a range of support needs.  Analysis of participants shows 53% were male and 47% female; 51% were aged 20-44, 45% aged 45-64, 2% aged 19 or under and 2% over 65.

In total 1735 engagement and learning activities have been developed and delivered, significantly higher than the original target.  The reason for so many sessions has been an attempt to maximise engagement by ensuring more bespoke / tailored engagement activities.  This approach has worked, as evidenced by the outcomes achieved through these activities.

The range of daily activities and learning sessions have included IT courses, ESOL classes, Football, Woman’s groups, Pet Therapy, Walking group, Photography, Music Groups, Gardening group Chapman Gardens, Pre-volunteer training, Volunteer training and opportunities, 1:1 engagement and the Lived Experience Network. ​

Spotlight on Housing Support

Preventing homelessness is a key element of our work, last year The Whitechapel Centre prevented homelessness for 1,447 people. We do this in a number of ways, including drop-in advice sessions, online and phone advice, as well as home visits for people needing more sustained support. For many of the people we help there are underlying issues of substance misuse, mental health, money management or similar which are putting their tenancy at risk.  Home visits are also the main way of supporting people resettling into their own accommodation from hostels or temporary accommodation.

We operate a number of surgeries at locations in Liverpool including Langsdale Street, Toxteth Town Hall and Kensington Children’s Centre.  Through the surgeries we support people to navigate systems e.g. Welfare Rights, Propertypool Plus applications. For some people we can resolve issues with a one-off or small number of interventions. 

We encourage anyone who is concerned about their housing situation to get in touch as soon as possible,.

Big thanks to our fantastic staff team for helping us achieve Investors in People Gold in our recent assessment. The Whitechapel Centre have been IiP accredited since 2010 but only 17% of accredited organisations achieve the Gold Standard so we are really proud to once again be accredited at this level.
 
Known all over the world, Investors in People (IiP) accreditation is granted to organisations that demonstrate a clear alignment between business strategy and people strategies. The IiP assessment framework provides a clear benchmark against the very best performing companies, with a full staff survey and in-depth employee interviews against key performance indicators combining to not only ‘score’ our performance, but also to drive improvement into the future.
 
From support workers, administrators, retail and fundraisers, managers, senior managers,  - our assessment illustrated our people’s unwavering passion and dedication towards delivering successful outcomes for our clients and their huge commitment to our core values which are that we are Passionate, Inclusive, Dedicated, Community-driven, Innovative and Enabling.  More than this, being benchmarked against an external framework offers all our stakeholders reassurance that The Whitechapel Centre is on a journey of continuous improvement towards our Vision to be an excellent, high profile independent local charity working in partnership to see an end to homelessness, social exclusion and housing poverty in our communities.   

For the last 7 years we have had a member of our outreach team based at the Royal Liverpool Hospital but last September, Liverpool, along with 17 other areas, was funded by the Department of Health & Social Care for a one year pilot to provide Hospital Inreach across the city.  The new team includes a GP, nurse practitioners, a care provider and homelessness support workers. We work across 7 hospital sites across the city and aim to work with clients who would otherwise be homeless when they are discharged from hospital. We advocate on behalf of our clients, ensuring appropriate accommodation and support is in place before they leave hospital.

Some clients are already known to us and are living in hostels or on the street. However others may have been accommodated but unable to return to their home because it is no longer suitable or accessible. Once we receive a referral the team will work with case work managers, ward managers, social workers, Housing Options, safeguarding and any other professionals involved to agree the plan for discharge accommodation and the support that maybe required. Our staff will provide up to six weeks support once the client has been discharged to ensure what is in place is fit for purpose and all elements of their care is co-ordinated. We will also supply clients with practical items such as clothing, toiletries and mobile phones so appointments can be booked and family can call.

​The service is not only providing care and support to the clients, but is also benefiting the hospitls. Patients who are homeless in hospital are more than twice as likely to be readmitted to hospital in an emergency, compared to patients with housing.  The project is reducing returns to hospital, reducing the average length of stay and delays in discharge. All partners in the pilot scheme work closely together, with a weekly case review meeting and a daily handover. In the first 4 months of the service we have provided support to 119 people. One of these, was Harry:  ​

​After only 4 or 5 weeks they had secured me a lovely 1 bed flat. They also allocated me a support worker to help me move and settle in as I still struggle with my injuries and also a welfare officer to ensure I claim the right benefits.  

I honestly don't know how I would have got through this without their help and would like to thank everyone at the centre for their support. They do amazing work and always with a smile on their faces. Particular thanks to Stephen, Rob, Dave, Michelle, Maureen, Russell and John as they have been looking after me personally but the whole team have my eternal gratitude.  

Part of their vision is to help people find a route out of homelessness, maintain a home and achieve their individual potential. They have, without a doubt, helped me with the first 2 objectives and I know they will continue to support me and help me achieve my potential once I am fit again. I plan to offer my time to the centre either as a volunteer or as a staff member as soon as I am able.  

Thanks again guys. You really are all superstars.
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Our partners in the Hospital Inreach Service are Brownlow Group Practice, YMCA, We Are With You, Care and Connections, Merseycare HOTS team and the NHS.

The Whitechapel Centre’s Children and Young Persons Project works with children who are living with their families, experiencing homelessness and are being supported by the charity. In the last year we worked with 129 children, from birth to age 18.
 
While our family centres provide a safe, stable place to stay much of the support provided focuses on the parent’s circumstances. We saw the need for specific, specialist support for the children and young people and developed the project with funding from Children In Need. The effect of homelessness on children can sometimes be overlooked, but we know it can limit their opportunities to just be a child and live in a world where they have stability, routine, are carefree and able to grow, develop and have hope for the future.  
 
All the children have experienced homelessness which can affect their well-being, resulting in a lack of self-esteem and confidence, stress, instability and loss of friends. Many of the children have had their education disrupted as a result of upheaval. Some have had difficult, traumatic experiences including domestic abuse, violence, arson, criminal activity of a family member, having a parent who has mental health and or substance misuse issues, death of a loved one as well as the children of refugee families who have witnessed war and destruction.

Our key areas of support are education and development, health and wellbeing; and involvement in meaningful activities within the community. We ensure children are in education, attend school regularly and receiving the right support for their needs. We organise regular group and individual activities to promote wellbeing, including yoga and mindfulness, drama and dance and interactive play. We also help children reconnect with old friends make new friends and join activities and groups local to them.
 
Many of the children are on a journey dealing with past and present experiences and struggling to find ways to express themselves. These experiences can influence the ways in which the child develops. We do a lot of work with understanding Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) and how the child that presents today can be struggling in their environment. We ask “What has happened to you” rather than “What is wrong with you” and we give children the tools and strategies to help cope with their situation and most importantly enjoy their childhoods.
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