A major new investment will help change how people facing homelessness and housing insecurity are supported across Malvern Hills District, with earlier help, stronger local connections and a new focus on preventing crisis before it happens.
Malvern Hills District Council is investing £350,000 in Maggs over the next three-and-a-half years to strengthen homelessness prevention, outreach and welfare support across the district. At a time when homelessness is high on the national agenda and more people are facing pressure from insecure housing, rising costs and complex needs, the partnership aims to make sure people in Malvern Hills can access support earlier and more easily, before problems escalate, while building a service around the specific needs of people and communities across Malvern Hills District.
Jon Perry, Chief Executive of Maggs, said: “This is a really positive step forward for Malvern Hills and for the people in our communities who are struggling the most. Too often, people only come into view once they are already in crisis. This investment gives us the opportunity to reach people earlier, provide practical and compassionate support, and help prevent a housing problem from becoming homelessness.
“It also means we can build support around the specific needs of Malvern Hills. This is a largely rural district, where transport, distance and access can all make it harder for people to get help when they need it most. We want the service to reflect those realities — combining a visible local Hub with outreach and strong partnerships across the wider district.”
The strengthened service will combine a visible and welcoming support Hub in Malvern with proactive outreach across the wider district and stronger partnership working with local organisations. The aim is not simply to respond when someone has nowhere to go, but to help people earlier with the issues that often sit behind homelessness, from tenancy problems and financial hardship to health, wellbeing and access to the right services. The wider ambition is to reduce repeat homelessness; improve stability and make sure people do not have to navigate crisis alone.
For Maggs, this is also an opportunity to build on more than 40 years of experience supporting people affected by homelessness and severe disadvantage across Worcestershire. The charity already has an established presence in Malvern, and this investment will allow that work to grow into a stronger prevention-focused, district-wide model, one that brings together accessible support, local outreach and more joined-up pathways with housing, advice, health and community partners.
Cllr Christine Wild, Assistant Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “This investment reflects our commitment to supporting residents earlier and more effectively, before housing problems reach crisis point. By working in partnership with Maggs, we can strengthen the support available across Malvern Hills and help ensure people facing homelessness or hardship can access practical help, advice and connections to the services they need.
The investment will support the Council’s wider homelessness and rough sleeping priorities, with a particular focus on prevention, housing stability, reducing repeat homelessness and improving access to support for people facing multiple disadvantage.”
The Malvern Hills service will sit within Maggs’ wider countywide offer across Worcestershire. Alongside its work in Malvern, the charity provides day-centre support, rough sleeper outreach, housing and homelessness support, harm reduction, practical essentials, clothing provision and health and wellbeing support across the county, working closely with local authorities, health services and voluntary-sector partners. This wider infrastructure means people using the Malvern service can be connected into established expertise, services and partnerships where appropriate.
There will also be opportunities for local people and organisations to get involved. Maggs is keen to work with community groups, partner organisations, local supporters and volunteers who want to play a part in strengthening the district’s response to homelessness and hardship. The service is due to launch from 1 October 2026, with further information to be shared in the coming weeks.
To find out more about Maggs, access support, support the charity’s work or explore opportunities to get involved, visit www.maggsdaycentre.co.uk.
Pictured: Danny Payne, Malvern Day Centre Co-ordinator, Cllr Christine Wild and Jon Perry, Chief Exec of Maggs.
Date published: 28 September 2026