PLANS for a day centre to help homeless people in and around Malvern received a double boost this week

Malvern Hills District Council is donating £5,000 towards Maggs Day Centre Malvern, which will be based at the Salvation Army Hall, Newtown Road.

And on Wednesday night, Malvern town councillors voted unanimously to give another £2,400 to the project.

Plans for the day centre were formulated following the deaths of two rough sleepers within a span of months.

The centre will be open on two mornings a week to provide support to homeless and vulnerable people.

It will have a shower and laundry, provide simple meals for breakfast and lunch, as well as offer services such as mental and physical health or life-skills.

Worcester-based Maggs Day Centre is raising money to fund the project, which will cost £38,000 to recruit, train and employ staff for a 12-month trial.

The charity has been working with Malvern Cares, a group of charities, residents and councillors, including the Malvern Hills Foodbank, Churches Together in Malvern, the Salvation Army and Lyttelton Well.

More than £18,500 has been raised so far and if sufficient funding is raised, the centre will aim to open in January.

The Malvern Town Council is specifically earmarked to pay for showers, a washing machine and dryer.

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Malvern hills councillor Natalie McVey said: “We are pleased to be donating funds towards the centre.

"Not only will it offer meals and a place to shower, but it will be a safe space offering sanctuary away from the street.”

Town councillor Samantha Charles, who is also involved with Malvern Cares, said: “The sight of rough sleepers on Malvern’s streets and two deaths last year has heightened community concerns about homelessness.

"More than 100 people were frequent users of the Malvern Hills Foodbank last year and many of them are likely to benefit from the new centre.”

Mel Kirk, chief executive of Maggs Day Centre, said he was grateful to both councils to their generosity.

He said: “This puts us a significant step closer to achieving the target to begin recruiting for the 12-month trial of the project. Fitting out the Salvation Army Hall in this way is essential to prepare it for use as a drop-in centre where vulnerable and homeless people can be helped."