Christmas Day volunteering at The Whitechapel Mission

Winter is a difficult time for the homeless.  It is a time of loneliness and cold, and the celebration of religious festivals offers a timely and appropriate reminder of those who may have fallen on hard times.

Months ago I had signed up to volunteer on 25th December. Christmas day offered a chance to do some beneficial work to offer a little assistance to those less fortunate. As I was growing up I would pay particular attention to advice given to me by the learned and wise regarding voluntary service to help develop ones community whilst supporting fellow humans. Having despaired at Bianca Jackson squealing about not having a “proper Eastenders  Christmas,” I woke up early and travelled down to the Whitechapel Mission for a brisk and bright 5 am start. Statistics state that 3673 people in London slept rough in 2009/10.

This was an increase of 6% from the previous year, and more than a thousand since 2006. This year 61% of rough sleepers are new, 27% have been rough sleeping for two years or more, and 13% have returned to rough sleeping after a gap of one year. We met the Kiwi crew and after initial tasks I was paired with Glaswegian Anthony, who I assisted in hairdressing visitors. Toni & Guy eat your heart out. We were soon joined by the amiable Manny (above) from West London, a QPR fan and St John’s Ambulance volunteer who’s been providing voluntary medical aid once a month for the last three years.

I caught up with Ramesh, one of my loyal customers from the time when we owned a store on the Bethnal Green Road . Sue Miller helps run the show and the Governess made us feel most welcome all throughout. At the current count Sue’s completed thirty years at the Mission . “I’m probably going to spend my living days on the job,” she told me with a glint in her eye. Then there are the visitors. 50 pence gets them a breakfast fit for a king. There are razors, hot water for showers and of clothes changes.

The most important lesson I learn involved human judgement. Not one attendee was similar to the next, they did not fit the widely held stereotypical image of the homeless and vulnerable held by society. The level of brisk intellectual discussions I shared with the various visitors were both memorable and inspiring. Vulnerable people who attend the Mission are often shunned.

They are frowned at with distrust. I know, I’m a local lad. The harsh reality is it can have a mental breakdown due to family, financial or work pressures that in a flash can transform from completely independence to completely hopelessness. It is up to us to offer short and long term support to our fellow human beings. You will lose nothing but gain everything. Each visitor had their own story and some, amongst others, a top grade student, and a competitive martial artist, shared their fascinating life experiences. Though vulnerable, it was clear that visitors appreciated the lending of an attentive ear. Most just wanted to chat – to make and feel a human connection. I particularly enjoyed bantering with Anthony, Sue, Simon, Shah, and Dominic, the ever charismatic “Timelord”.

Our volunteer duties included preparation of a full English breakfast, serving the punters and washing/cleaning up. My mate kas visited for a chat and we sauntered down to meet his Missus for a well earned Halal Turkey lunch at Senses Restaurant, situated within the Whitechapel NHS Walk in centre. I received a lesson in humility. Thank God, my experience has hammered home how good my personal life situation is. It has hammered home how important it is for us to make very small sacrifices by volunteering with similar support projects. Thanks to Sue & Tony for the opportunity. I spent a morning at the Mission helping homeless visitors. A more accurate reflection is visitors to the Mission helped me a whole lot more.

www.whitechapel.org.uk