In recent months the Project has changed somewhat from just an open door drop-in to a Centre with a new and improved programme, hence the new name, The Shoreditch Community Project.

Our Overall Objectives

- Ensure a friendly welcoming atmosphere where individuals can interact and relax.

- To provide practical help and befriending for isolated and socially excluded people

- Provide up-to-date information, services and support to users on benefit and low Income.

- To refer people to specialist projects such as Alcohol, Drug, or Training agencies, as appropriate.

- To foster positive relationships with local agencies and projects, working in consultation and sharing resources whenever possible.

- To help organise activities and projects which foster creativity and develop self worth.

- To develop and help facilitate support groups, which give, people the chance to aid their own recovery or look at positive solutions.

- Develop a team of volunteers to assist in the day-to-day running of the centre, providing them with clear job descriptions and regular training.

The Programme of Current Activities.

Our Open Door Drop-In Centre is now open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings 9.30-12.30. and on Tuesday afternoon from 2.00 til 4.00pm. We have found that in the last year, our Drop-in sessions have become much busier. With usually between 15 and 25 people passing through each session. This is good and shows that the changes to our structure have not stopped people coming to us. It is, however, a lot of people for such a small area.

We help out at the Dunloe Centre on a Tuesday morning, serving meals to homeless and/or isolated people. This is a good place to inform people about our revised services and I know that Sister Moria Jones is very grateful for the contribution we make there, and perhaps would not be able to continue this valuable service if we could not help out.

Occassionally, staff from the Hanbury Community Project come to run a Personal Development Course on Thursday mornings. This course helps our clients deal with anger, stress, motivation and relationship difficulties. This is a 10 –12 week course and it is still in its early day at the SCP but the clients and staff are pleased with the progress made so far. Residents from Acorn House and clients from both Shoreditch and Hanbury Community Project come to the group.

On Friday afternoons we have a Classic Film Club from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. which is for the over 50’s. A classic film is watched, followed by a discussion about the film and peoples views on it. This is already an established group but new clients can join.

The Open Door Centre is run by SCP staff and volunteers. It is a place where people can come for basic advice, and a cup of tea/coffee and sandwiches.

The Next Development

We are hoping to start a new session in a few weeks time called Life Balance. We we will be taking people into the local community to show them the different activities and services that they can use easily and cheaply, such as Museums and Galleries. We also still have an open slot on a Monday afternoon which we would like to fill with another session from an agency outside SCP.



Pictured above is Princess Alexandra, who visited the Drop-In Centre during the official opening of Acorn House. With her are some of the young gap year volunteers who help run the Centre. Those pictured here came from Sweden, Denmark, South Korea and Italy!

Since we opened, we have seen the number of clients steadily rise and we are now often full to capacity each session, although we are quite small! Approximately half of our clients are either homeless or in temporary accommodation. which includes a number who are either in long stay hostels or staying with friends, usually sleeping on sofas or floors.

One of the most important services we are able to provide is Befriending, giving people time and space to talk, and offer practical help and support to very vulnerable people. Our experience shows that people are often coming to us because the project is small and they know that they will get good individual attention in a friendly, relaxed and safe atmosphere. The needs and circumstances of each person vary quite considerably. Our work has involved providing support and advocacy, as well as referral to doctors or trained counsellors and facilitators, a number of whom are starting to visit the centre on a regular basis. In each case we are seeking to work holistically with people. We know that if we work with other professionals and agencies we can offer clients more effective support, guidance and interventions. We have also had a number of social and support workers use the Centre to see their clients. Sometimes we have been asked to sit in on these meetings because we are seen as an important part of their clients support.

Between December and February 2003,the following issues were identified in our users at the Centre:
Mental Health (44)
Housing/Accommodation (83)
Alcoholism (132)
Drug Addiction (8)
Benefit Queries (46)
Isolation (123)
Depression (10)
Seeking Information (45)

The Future

As we get to know existing clients, as well as see new ones, we aim to be more responsive to their needs. We are currently looking at helping people use their creative skills, whether through art or writing, to tell their stories. We hope to display this at the Drop-in. We also aim to continue to develop our work with local projects such as the Hanbury Community Project where we have a number of clients who overlap.