London: Celebrating Sisters of Mercy at Providence Row

Archbishop Nichols, Pam Orchard, Simon Bartley at tree planting

Providence Row in east London held a celebration of the Sisters of Mercy event on Tuesday, to commemorate their work and huge contribution to the charity. The Sisters founded Providence Row in 1860 with Father Daniel Gilbert and they continued to run it until 1988.

The Archbishop of Westminster, Most Rev Vincent Nichols led a service which gave thanks to the work of the Sisters and Providence Row. During the service he reflected on the charity’s approach to seeing those who use the centre as people with problems, not problem people. “When we fail to see people as people and see them as statistics then we will fail to support them”. The Archbishop of Westminster looked back on the charity’s history and how it was always open to all, regardless of faith: “From the word go this was a charity which was open to everybody, a characteristic of a good charity.”

Providence Row’s CEO, Pam Orchard, reflected on the Sisters of Mercy’s contribution to the charity over the years “I am so grateful to the Sisters of Mercy for their incredible commitment to helping the homeless for over 150 years. Their tireless dedication to the cause has been outstanding and they continue to contribute to Providence Row’s work through financial and voluntary support today.”

All the Sisters of Mercy in the UK were invited and over 40 attended, some coming from Glasgow. One of the Sisters who worked at Providence Row over thirty years ago was impressed by the services at Providence Row and found it “interesting to see how the work has developed since Crispin Street”.

There was also a blessing of client memorials and a tree was planted in the garden at Providence Row in memory of Sister Winefride Biddle who volunteered at the charity for over 30 years.

The Sisters remain linked to Providence Row; two members of the Board are from the Union and the Institute.

Providence Row tackles the root causes of homelessness to help people get off, and stay off, the streets. Working with people to build skills and confidence is the key to success and Providence Row does this through its trainee schemes, language classes and employment support.

Providence Row provides for mental health and addiction issues which is crucial in helping people to rejoin the community. Providence Row also helps people to return to their home communities, in the UK and abroad. Last year the centre worked with more than 1,000 people.

For more information see: www.providencerow.org.uk