A HOMELESS charity has launched a new fortnightly drop-in service for those in need in Malvern.
Maggs Day Centre is launching the support service at Malvern Town Football Club every other Thursday between 10am to 12 noon. The first session was held on October 10, with the next session being October 24.
The drop-in service will primarily be for people experiencing homelessness, whether this be rough sleeping, hidden homelessness such as sleeping in their cars or sofa surfing, or those who are vulnerable and need tailored support.
Claire Hooper, Maggs’ outreach team manager said: “Our Outreach team are excited to have been invited to do a weekly drop-in at the Malvern Town Football Club.
“The purpose of this additional service is to offer support with anything from Homeless Approach to foodbank and Clothing Project referrals to signposting to other agencies. It’s a great partnership all around to help those who need it the most.”
The centre will help pick up any new rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness before supporting them through the steps to accommodation and financial support.
The help centre, hosted predominantly by Platform Housing, offer a weekly service welcoming various other organisations including Citizens Advice Bureau, Social Prescribers, Worcester City Council housing options advisors, Age UK, Digital Champions, Housing Officers, Community Builders and Wellbeing & Life Skills Advisors.
Platform Housing set up the Help Centre in 2016 as part of a digital scheme to help our customers get online safely in one of the highest areas of deprivation in the country.
Soon after inception, the service developed into a broader provider after realising the demand required, so partnered with the life and wellbeing coaches at Community Housing to then offering everything from housing to debt management.
Tim Marsh, digital transformation officer at Platform Housing Group, confirms: “We are looking forward to hosting the Maggs Outreach team at our help centre.
“We’re constantly challenged by customers who are about to be homeless, which has risen significantly over the last few months, so we’re excited have their expertise and cater to those who may not have engaged with us before.”
The charity currently opens a day centre in Malvern twice a week, where service users can receive a cooked breakfast, tailored support, food donated from local supermarkets and access drop-ins from other organisations such as the NHS health bus.
Visit www.maggsdaycentre.co.uk for more information.
