 |
1999 / 2000: A REVIEW
|
| West London Initiative on Single Homelessness |
Previous
Contents
Next 
WHO ARE WE?
WISH (the West London Initiative on Single Homelessness) is a registered
charity working for the relief of poverty and sickness amongst homeless
people in the West London area. Our main activities are research into homelessness
and the provision of direct services to homeless people.
Each year WISH provides temporary accommodation and relief over the
Christmas period - the "Christmas Roof"- as many of the services normally
available to homeless people are closed over Christmas.
We also run a regular Outreach Service in West London, providing basic
food and clothing to rough sleepers.
Background to WISH
WISH, which is now in its fifth year of operation, was formed by a group
of volunteers with many years' experience working with homeless people.
The services it provides are well managed but informal and, with the help
of local supporters and volunteers, meet local needs which have been identified
through research.
WISH aims to make a real difference to people's quality of life in a
number of ways:
-
By offering many forms of practical help, as explained below.
-
By treating homeless people with the care and respect they rarely receive.
As a result, we often see a dramatic improvement in their own self-respect
and belief in themselves.
-
By enabling volunteers and local communities to work with homeless people
- often for the first time - and gain new insights into the issues involved.
Resources
The Board of Trustees and the Management Committee continue to comprise
volunteers, although most have extensive experience in the homeless sector,
others have contributory expertise.
Some 400 other volunteers are needed to help run the Christmas Roof,
many of whom will have worked with WISH before. Without their help the
Roof could not be run: not only do they contribute to the event itself,
but they are also a source of clothes, supplies and funds, much of which
has been raised from individually organised sponsored events or collections.
The Outreach Service is managed by a Working Group and run with the
support of others. In common with all WISH services, everyone involved
is a volunteer.
PreviousContents
Next