We partner with Maggs to raise awareness for World Homeless Day
We’re excited to announce that we’re partnering with Maggs Day Centre to raise as much awareness for the homeless community and the continuing struggles faced by those in need for World Homeless Day on Thursday 10th October.
Interestingly, World Homeless Day shares the same date as World Mental Health Day so this year, we want to focus on the mental health implications of sleeping rough and what the community can do to support our work to ease this.
Erica Burlace, our CEO, confirms: “As always, we’re delighted to work alongside the Maggs team to help raise awareness for such a poignant cause.
Poor health can precipitate homelessness and homelessness creates poor health. The number of people with a mental health diagnosis has increased substantially from 45% in 2014 to 82% between 2018 – 2021.
These are scary statistics, which we see firsthand through not only our hostel but also our Housing First programme across 5 districts in Worcestershire. This programme is a ‘prevention stage’ homelessness intervention strategy, which supports people with multiple and complex needs, that would otherwise be rough sleeping. Nationally, 61% of Housing First participants reported having a longstanding illness or disability, compared to a higher rate of 75% in Worcestershire, which is incredibly concerning.”
World Homeless Day also aims to raise awareness about the needs of people who currently experience homelessness and promote work in local communities to alleviate suffering and prevent death.
Both charities work closely together helping those who have been rough sleeping to gain accommodation, but also to build and develop the skills needed to maintain their tenancy in mainstream society and avoid slipping back into past patterns of behaviour.
At the last headcount, there are currently approximately 20 rough sleepers reported in Worcester and in the city during 2023/24 alone, homelessness referrals increased by 7% and demand for housing increased by 12% and outran supply by almost 90%.
Andy Price, Chief Executive at Maggs Day Centre explains: “The partnership between Maggs and St Pauls has been longstanding, so we’re grateful to be able to collaborate with the team to raise awareness for a cause that is reaching high numbers.
It’s interesting to note that World Homeless Day is the same day as World Mental Health Day, and 85% of people sleeping rough have experienced abuse or trauma as children that has huge implications on mental health in later-life. Life on the streets is traumatising and a daily battle to survive which can quickly become a vicious cycle which is increasingly difficult to break. The support our organisations offer is absolutely crucial to give those we work with any hope of escaping homelessness.
Services across the nation are overwhelmingly stretched so people are relying on our services more than ever to get basic care and treatment. Between 2022 – 2023, we helped over 600 people with mental health needs, therefore our community must be aware of the important work that our organisations provide to help combat the lack of resources.”
We will be sharing various hard-hitting statistics on their social media today, alongside the positive outcomes we have achieved in our line of work, even under the pressures of overstretched mental health services, a continuous housing crisis and the rising cost of living but also what the community can do to help.
You can support either charity by donating via our websites or joining our joint fundraiser, ‘The Big Worcester Sleep Out’ next year, alongside the Worcester Warriors Foundation, to help bring the issues surrounding homelessness to the forefront, break down barriers, and challenge and change public perceptions of why people are homeless.
For more information, please visit: worcestersleepout.co.uk.