Two Worcester homeless charities joined forces to raise awareness for World Homeless Day.

Maggs Day Centre and St Paul's Hostel aimed to highlight the struggles faced by the homeless community.

This year, the charities focused on the mental health implications of sleeping rough and how the community can support their work.

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Before the day, Andy Price, chief executive at Maggs Day Centre, said: "The partnership between Maggs and St Paul's has been longstanding, so we’re grateful to be able to collaborate with the team to raise awareness for a cause that is reaching epidemic levels.

"It’s interesting to note that World Homeless Day is the same day as World Mental Health Day, and 85 per cent 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."

World Homeless Day, which fell on Thursday (October 10), also aimed to raise awareness about the needs of people who currently experience homelessness and promote work in communities to alleviate suffering and prevent death.

Both charities work closely together, helping those who have been rough sleeping not only 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 the city during 2023/24 alone, homelessness referrals increased by seven per cent and demand for housing increased by 12 per cent, outrunning supply by almost 90 per cent.

Erica Burlace, chief executive at St Paul's Hostel, said: "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.

"These are scary statistics, which we see firsthand through not only our hostel but also our Housing First programme across 5 districts in Worcestershire."

For more information, visit worcestersleepout.co.uk.