How do Maggs help? Hear one of our recent success stories...

Christopher had been rough sleeping for approximately 6 months, becoming homeless following a relationship breakdown caused by his alcohol dependency.

Christopher has been accessing the Worcester Day Centre since shortly after becoming homeless, making use of the laundry & shower facilities, as well as free breakfasts. When required, staff would also refer Christopher for Foodbank vouchers & free clothing from the Maggs Clothing project.

Worcester Day Centre staff worked consistently with Christopher to address the issues that faced him, from his substance use & mental health, to his homelessness & access to the services he would need to get his life back on track.

In 6 months, we have supported Christopher to:

• Reduce his dependency on alcohol & engage with Cranstoun.

• Register with a new GP.

• Get on the housing register with Worcester City Council & Housing4you.

• Open a bank account, through our partnership with HSBC.

• Acquire a second-hand phone.

• Get a preloaded SIM card through our partnership with Vodafone.

• Be placed into temporary accommodation.

We subsequently supported Christopher to successfully find work on a building site, starting part time, with an offer of more permanent work & an offer of accommodation from his employer in an employer-owned HMO.

With our support, Christopher is now accommodated, in work, managing his personal finances and starting to clear his outstanding debts so that he can move further into stability & independence.

Christopher still has a drink occasionally, but he's in a better place, mentally, & knows that if he ever starts to fall back into his old ways, that the Worcester Day centre staff & his Cranstoun support worker are there to support him & give him the “kick up the backside” that he needs to get him “back on the straight & narrow”.

It hasn't been an easy journey, & it's far from over, but we're proud of the positive changes that Christopher has made to his life and wouldn't be achievable without your support.

Simply put, we wouldn't exist without the generous support we receive from the community and this Christmas, with the colder temperatures and the increasing demand for our services, we need your help.