Muslim charity provides 'support and company' in Worcester

The Purpose of Life charity held an event on Sunday aiming to bring the community together in helping people going through difficulties in life.

Saj Hussain, 37, founded the Muslim Midlands-based charity five years ago. Mr Hussain said: “It is open to homeless and the needy. That can be a lot of things, it’s not just financial struggle but can be depression or loneliness. We have had people come to events who are suicidal, and people dealing with drugs, alcohol, and bad relationships. We don’t judge. I actually had one man come to an event who was quite affluent but he came for some company, he said I have lost my wife and I just want someone to talk to. He had some food and insisted on giving us a £10 donation for the next event.

“In both developing countries and developed countries, it is human nature. We all need to be uplifted sometimes with some company.”

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Mr Hussain said: “We also want to build relations with the community. I think sometimes we (Muslim charities) can be a little bit guilty of keeping ourselves to ourselves. So we provide literature on Islam and who we are, and it brings down the barriers as I think barriers come through lack of education. We give a lot abroad too so it’s nice to support local communities as well.”

The event at Unity House provided three-course meals and some of the food was donated by Asda in Worcester. Razor Cuts barbers in Worcester offered free hair cuts and PR company Perfectly Done Events helped out.

The charity had been hoping for around 50 people, although the final number fell short of that.

Mr Hussain said: “Maybe because of it being the first event or the weather, there is not as many people here as we would have liked, but sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t. It’s going to take time to get the word out.”

Purpose of Life hosts events across the Midlands and fed around 100 people in their last event in December.