A Worcestershire homeless charity has joined forces with Unity Trust Bank to open shared living accommodations.

Maggs Day Centre has been operating a lifeline for rough sleepers in the region for nearly 40 years.

Now, thanks to support from Unity Trust Bank, they are extending their resources to provide shared living accommodations.

Maggs Day Centre, located at St Alban’s Church, Deansway, has been a hub for vulnerable individuals since its opening in 1985.

The centre provides hot meals, clothing, shower facilities, and outreach support to those at risk of homelessness.

Unity extended six-figure funding to Maggs, which enabled them to acquire two residential properties.

These properties will now be converted into shared living accommodations, providing a safe space for up to 16 residents.

Worcester News: The properties will provide a safe space for up to 16 residents

Alison Isaacs, accommodation project team leader at Maggs, said: "The Maggs Accommodation Project (MAP) team works closely with our new tenants to give them time to adjust to moving away from life on the streets and for some, this transition is challenging.

"The regular support given by the team allows our residents to take ownership of past issues such as financial instability and debts, family breakdown and addictions.

"Working with other agencies, we support them into fulfilling their potential and controlling their futures."

Jane Kemp, a trustee at Maggs added: "By helping us to buy these properties, Unity is helping a homeless person take their first step towards having a sustainable home of their own.

"We’ve banked with Unity for many years and approached them for a loan not just because they had better market terms, but because they knew us and we felt there was synergy with how Unity want to see their loan deployed and how we want to use that funding.

"That was incredibly important to us as a charity."

Amy McDermott, relationship manager at Unity, said: "When organisations like Maggs bank with us, they know that their deposits will be used to finance projects which improve communities around the UK.

"Unity colleagues will also be using some of their allocated volunteer days to help with gardening and decorating and to see first-hand the impact Maggs has on people’s lives."