Worcester Cares: Helping people off the street
If you visit, live or work in Worcester City, you will sometimes see people on the street. Some sleeping rough, in shop doorways or along the river, some are drinking excessively in the City centre, and others are begging – occasionally aggressively. Each needs help, whether they belong to only one or all three of these groups.
Our city does not want to demonise people on the street for the situation the find themselves in. Now charities and services from across the City have come together to help people you see on the street.
We know many who live and work in Worcester City, as well as many tourists and visitors, are compassionate people who want to help but are not sure how to. Worcester Cares is a united umbrella approach, which helps all the charities, and support services coordinate their work.
Here is what you can now do to help and be part of Worcester Cares;
Tell us
Tell us about someone by using Street Link. By using the Street Link app, you can note down the place or street a person is and we can send someone to see him or her. www.streetlink.org.uk or by calling 0300 500 09145
Tell them
Explain to the person that there are charities, churches and services in the City where they can get help. Magg’s Day Centre, St Paul’s Hostel and Caring for Communities (CCP) have experienced and trained staff who know what to do. Tell them to visit The Hive and the City Council staff will help them make the connection.
Donate to Worcester Cares
Help people off the street by supporting those charities who can support them. A small donation makes an enormous difference. £2 would pay for a meal. £5 would provide services to get someone off the street. Donate £2 by texting WORC02 or £5 by texting WORC05 to 70070
Volunteer for one of the Worcester Cares charities or services.
The charities in Worcester who work with people on the street have many different opportunities to volunteer time to help. Visit the websites of Maggs Day Centre, CCP or St Paul’s Hostel to find out more.
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol
The City Council in partnership with the local authorities across Worcestershire operates a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). During the coldest months of the year if the temperature is forecast to be zero degrees or less then an emergency shelter is opened at the local Salvation Army. Professional and trained staff from CCP are on hand throughout the night to ensure the shelter is a warm and safe space to stay. Support is on hand from CCP and partners to help those who wish to explore longer term accommodation options and connect them with the support they need.
Outreach Team
Maggs Day Centre delivers a year round outreach service for rough sleepers across Worcestershire. Their highly skilled staff ensures welfare checks take place with those who rough sleep and provide daily outreach walks to spots to where rough sleepers are known to be. They work hard to provide support and access other services and ultimately support the individual into a home they can call their own.