Maggs has been helping the homeless in Worcestershire since 1984. We have two day centres and provide an Outreach Team. We opened our Malvern Day Centre in February 2020. An average of 6 people access this centre each day (open Tuesdays and Fridays), and in 2023 46 different people accessed our Malvern centre. This figure is set to rise as the cost-of-living crisis deepens. Malvern has a significantly more rough sleepers per head of population than Birmingham. Evidence shows that rough sleepers and people at risk of homelessness will not travel to Worcester where most support services and our other day centre are based. Instead, they prefer to stay in an area where they feel familiar. Our aim is to extend Malvern Day Centre service for another 12 months to meet people's short-term needs e.g. accessing food, warmth and shelter which will then enable longer-term engagement e.g. finding a home, improving well-being, ultimately providing the opportunity for positive change.

What we'll deliver:

• Day-to-day practical, tailored support and advice for homeless and vulnerable people
• A central hub which other agencies can use and provide assistance to people in a space where they feel safe
• Improvements to vulnerable peoples' physical and mental well-being
• A free, hot breakfast for homeless and vulnerable people twice a week

Why it's a great idea:

There are many benefits to supporting rough sleepers and, in turn, our wider society. Research shows clear outcomes from attending Maggs - increased confidence and self-esteem; improved well-being; reduced social isolation; and reduced offending and substance misuse. Our service also helps reduce anti-social behaviour in the area - without a place to go rough sleepers are more likely to engage in anti-social behaviour e.g. loitering, begging and alcohol/substance misuse. These behaviours make Malvern a less attractive place for people to visit. So Maggs assists the local economy by making the town a more attractive place to live and visit. The reduction in substance misuse reduces crime i.e. shoplifting and theft to fund a habit. Our day centres provide a place of support, safety and kindness to the most vulnerable in our society and importantly can help provide lasting connections and opportunities which really can change lives.

Steps to get it done:

• The number of people who we have helped to accommodate
• The number of people who we have successfully referred to mental or physical health services
• The number of people we have helped to set up a bank account
• The number of people we have assisted to claim benefits to which they are entitled
• The number of individuals who have used Maggs in Malvern over 12 months
• The number of people who have successfully sustained a tenancy
• The number of people who report a reduction in their feelings of isolation and depression

Our focus is on bringing rough sleepers back into the community and society from which they have been routinely excluded. Rough sleepers are one of the most stigmatised and marginalised groups in society, yet they face disadvantage and social isolation and are often unable to fulfill their primary basic needs. Many rough sleepers have ended up in this situation through no fault of their own: 25% for example are homeless due to mental health problems. Our aim is to give rough sleepers the opportunities to develop the skills they need to reintegrate into conventional society. Early engagement is key to moving rough sleepers out of their current situation. This requires having networks with partner agencies to ensure all the relevant support structures are available and our day centres provide a central hub where this can happen. Four years after opening, Malvern Day Centre has been a great success and we work closely with Malvern Cares and other voluntary agencies in the town.