Lloyd’s Charities Trust is to donate this year’s Special Award of £50,000 to Whitechapel Mission Centre.
The award will enable the centre to open overnight during the winter period and expand its life skills service. They will be able to employ another life skills support worker to help centre users with skills for the future such as cooking, budgeting and job hunting.
Whitechapel Mission opens every day of the year to help people find a bed for the night and provides breakfast, showers, clothing, basic medical services, employment support and advice. When the temperature drops below zero in winter, the centre is open throughout the night offering accommodation for up to 250 people.
Graham White, Chairman of Lloyd’s Charities Trust, said: “I am delighted that we are able to help Whitechapel Mission continue their invaluable work with the homeless community in East London. The services they provide offer to thousands what we take for granted, as well as a safe environment, where the homeless are treated humanely and kindly.”
Employees throughout Lloyd’s have already supported the Mission by volunteering before work to serve breakfast, sort through donated clothing and help the life skills centre.
On receiving the award, Tony Miller, Director of Whitechapel Mission, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support we’ve received to date from Lloyd’s on so many levels and are delighted to have received the Lloyd’s Special Award for 2009. Employees have given generously of their time to assist in delivering all of our core services and Lloyd’s has demonstrated a true commitment to supporting the homeless community and to supporting their volunteering staff.”
Richard Ward, CEO of Lloyd’s, has volunteered at the Mission himself. “Having seen the incredible work the team at the Whitechapel Mission do first hand, I’m very pleased that we are able to make a contribution to support them.”
