The Whitechapel Mission has been serving the homeless and marginalised since the 1870's – including a day centre, skills training and career advice, activity programmes and specialist support for complex needs. By encouraging each person to address the issues which caused their homelessness, we help them to gain the skills and confidence to make lasting changes in their lives.

We believe everyone deserves a chance, regardless of their background, race or religion. We are open to all, without exception.

Every day of the year, we welcome the weary faces of men and women facing despair. Many have tried surviving on the streets. Others are encountering homelessness for the first time after losing jobs or facing personal crises. Hundreds of people literally feel that they have nowhere else to turn for help. But through your gifts, you are here for them in their time of need. And we do this without public funding.

We know that we can, and are, making a positive and lasting difference to the people who ask for our help.

This winter is guaranteed to be unlike any other. What might sleeping rough this winter ook like in a coronavirus world? As the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in all communal night shelters having to remain closed, the number of Winter Night shelters is going to be severely reduced this winter.

We are expecting to see a higher number of people sleeping on our streets this winter. A large number of people were found a hotel space for Christmas, but will return to the streets this week. (05/01/2021)

We will be open throughout the winter, to ensure that everybody in need of hot food, showers, clothing, advice and safety will have somewhere to go.

Government announces roadmap for easing England's lockdown. We are now planning our own roadmap for services at the Whitechapel Mission - conditional on the government confirming that its four tests have been met at each relevant step of the Roadmap:

• The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan
• Vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatment
• Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions
• New coronavirus variants do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions

Stage One (from and including 29th March)

Stage Two (no ealier than 12th April)

Stage Three (no earlier than 17th May)

• Additional seating can added for dinning
• Kitchen volunteering will recommence
• Time limits on computer access will be relaxed
• Time restrictions in centre will be relaxed
• Services offered by third-parties can recommence. (hairdressing, chest xrays, dentists and others)

Stage Four (no earlier than 21st June) We may be able to add:

• Additional seating added for dinning
• Opening hours will be extended
• Restrictions on numbers will be relaxed
• The use of masks will be relaxed within the Mission, but still required for volunteers/staff working in one-to-one contact with guests - until our guests are also vaccinated

As the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in all communal night shelters having to remain closed, the number of Winter Night shelters is going to be severely reduced this winter.

We are expecting to see a higher number of people sleeping on our streets this winter.

We will be open throughout the winter, to ensure that everybody in need of hot food, showers, clothing, advice and safety will have somewhere to go.