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This Morning

238 free breakfasts served

Our centre in Whitechapel is serving 21% more people this year.

This Morning

Advice requests up by 30%

For many of us this may be another difficult and uncertain year. Many people asking for assistance to prevent homelessness.

Our Mission

Making a Difference

We serve those in need with free meals, clothing, and support services throughout the year.

Get Involved

Applications open

Take in London's iconic landmarks in this challenge within the heart of the capital. The date for the first 2026 challenge is: Thursday 14th May. Time: noon - 4pm

Whitechapel Mission

Serving the homeless and marginalised since 1876

The Whitechapel Mission has been serving the homeless and marginalised for 150 years- 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.

Throughout 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, we are here for them in a 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.

The Whitechapel Mission has been serving the homeless and marginalised since November 1876. This is our 150th year, and still trying to make a difference for those sleeping on our streets.

We continue to be inspired by the kindness and resilience we see from everybody involved in our work, from our volunteers and staff to the supporters like you who make our work possible.

With your help, we have seen the incredible things that can happen when people come together to help one another. Thank you for being a part of service provision this year. We couldn't do what we do without you.

The Whitechapel Mission is a charity (registered charity number: 227905). That means we do not make any profits or bonuses from the work that we do. All of the money donated to the Whitechapel Mission is used only to help the many people who come to us for help and advice.

Without your help and financial support, the Whitechapel Mission would not be able to provide the services that it does. The Trustees of the Whitechapel Mission are very grateful for all the support you offer.

Whitechapel Mission

150 Years of Service

Making a difference since 1876

3,258

Offered housing advice during 2025

9,391

People supported during 2025

126,283

Meals served during 2025

Our Work

Breakfast is served
Kitchens

Breakfast is served

Hot cuppa
Kitchens

Hot cuppa

Breakfast served
Kitchens

Breakfast served

The day centre team
Kitchens

The day centre team

Hot shower and clean clothing available at 8:30am daily
Showers

Hot shower and clean clothing available at 8:30am daily

Advice workers available from 8am
Advice Centre

Advice workers available from 8am

Access to computer suite from 8am with fast internet
Computer Suite

Access to computer suite from 8am with fast internet

Our doors remain open
Our Open Door

Our doors remain open

People asking for money on our trains

  • We offer free food, free showers, free clothing and free advice and counselling to all those in need.
  • Free access to medical advice, free access to educational classes and free access to benefits advice, job club and housing advice.
  • Day centre open every day of the year, and staff on-site 24 hours a day.
  • Advice centre open until 3pm weekdays.
  • We are open to all, regardless of their background, race, gender, religion or origin.

Concerned about someone sleeping rough?

If you see someone sleeping rough, you can help by alerting StreetLink. They connect people sleeping rough with local services that can support them.

You can notify StreetLink by visiting their website, using the mobile app, or calling their helpline. Your alert could be the first step in helping someone off the streets.

Helping those in need

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our services and how you can help.

  • A free breakfast served weekdays from 8am until 10am
  • Free showers available weekdays from 6:30am
  • Free clothing available weekdays via showers
  • Advice and Support team available weekdays from 8am until 3pm
  • Computer Suite available weekdays from 8am until 3pm

We welcome donations of non-perishable food, toiletries and clothing on any weekday from 5:30am until 4pm and weekends by appointment.

It is possible to make donations outside of these hours if you call us to arrange.

We are not able to accept duvets and pillows. And we cannot accept pre-cooked food.

We ask you to bear in mind that our vehicles are very costly to run and therefore it is not possible for us to collect small donations, unless we can link the collection with others in the area.

We will very rarely collect from outside the M25, West London, or North London due to the time and cost implications.

We are not able to accept duvets and pillows or household items and furniture. And we cannot accept pre-cooked food.

Rarely. Our entrance is in Maples Place, E1 1BJ and it has parking bays. These are usually full most of the day from 8am.

It is possible to park outside of our car park gates for a short time to unload (in the same road).

If you call us in advance and inform us of your vehicle registration number, we can have the gates open for you to park.

59

Found employment in 2025

41

Referred to treatment in 2025

367

Prevented from becoming homeless in 2025

Get In Touch

We're here to help. Reach out to us through any of the channels below.

Address

212 Whitechapel Road
London E1 1BJ