Open Eye Gallery is hosting an exhibition to mark 50 of The Whitechapel Centre

The Whitechapel Centre, a leading homelessness and housing charity for the Liverpool region, is 50 – and to mark the occasion an exhibition will be held at the Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool.

The exhibition will take visitors on an inspiring journey through the charity’s history and its vital role in tackling homelessness across five decades. It traces the evolving face of homelessness, showing how economic, social, and political influences have shaped people’s experiences and the services provided. A central timeline charts major events alongside the charity’s responses, revealing how its work has adapted to meet changing needs.

Visitors can also see a video, memory boards and personal stories of transformation, like Neil’s.

Neil Davies, 50, was homeless but thanks to The Whitechapel Centre his life has been transformed. Now he works for the very charity which helped save him.

Neil spent 18 months homeless on and off between 2018 and 2023.

He explains:

“After 30 years of addiction, I found myself homeless in Liverpool. I was in big trouble, facing the streets and had no other options. It was January 2023, I was rough sleeping and in a terrible state.” 

After going to The Whitechapel Centre Neil says:

“Over the next year they supported me with emergency accommodation, getting me into a rehab clinic, then more permanent accommodation, continued addiction support, food banks, housing information and much more. The Whitechapel Centre believed in me all the way – it was a massive first in my life.”

“They saved my life”

After volunteering for the charity, he got a job there. “Now I’m giving back and helping those in need just like I was. It’s a dream come true. Simply put, I would not be where I am today if it had not been for The Whitechapel Centre and all of those involved – they saved my life and allowed me to start a new one.”

Neil’s story will be on display in the free exhibition, which has been curated by a co-creation team including people who have a lived experience of homelessness, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: 

“The Whitechapel Centre has been doing important work for many years related to homelessness in Liverpool. We are delighted to be supporting the charity, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, to explore and share the history of homelessness in the city, and how it has changed throughout the 50 years the charity has been in operation.”

The 50 Years of The Whitechapel Centre exhibition runs at the Atrium Open Eye Gallery, 19 Mann Island Liverpool, L3 1BP, from 25 September to 19 October, 10am-5pm Tues-Sunday. Entry is free.

Find out more about The Whitechapel Centre here.

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