CARING staff at a Worcester clothing repair business are collecting clothes of all kinds to help the city's homeless people rebuild their lives.

The Zip Yard in The Shambles is one of the first businesses in the city centre to support Worcester Cares, a scheme to help homeless people off the streets.

The welcome assistance comes just as staff at St Paul's Hostel say rough sleeping is on the rise and likely 'to get worse before it gets better'.

In support of the scheme the Zip Yard will collect items of clothing and donate them to St Paul’s Hostel in Tallow Hill, Worcester, until the new year.

Garments of all types and for all age groups are required (not just warm winter clothes), and if they need minor repairs the ZipYard will fix them.

Last autumn the Worcester City Homeless and Vulnerable People forum (known as ‘The Forum’) was established.

The Forum has brought together a wide variety of charities and services in one place.

Felicity James from St Paul’s Hostel said: “We know many city centre business want to help but do not want to act irresponsibly or inadvertently make things worse for the homeless person. Now Worcester Cares provides a way all business can play their part.

"Nobody wants people sleeping rough in our city but rough sleeping is predicted to continue to get worse before it gets better."

Paul Meredith from the Zip Yard said: “For the past two years our customers have generously donated warm clothing for the homeless. "This year we have decided to support Worcester Cares and St Paul’s requirement for a broader range of clothing items.

"We would encourage people to bring any unwanted items of clothing to our shop in Worcester where we will carry out any necessary minor repairs.

"We will give all donations to St Pauls to help fill their “wardrobe” with practical and functional clothes to help homeless people, as they try to re-build their lives.”

The public can donate clothes, suitable for men and women aged from 16 to 65, at The Zip Yard, 36 The Shambles. The clothing alterations and tailoring centre is open from 9am am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.

People can report cases of homelessness via Street Link. By using the Street Link app, you can note down the place or street a person is and we can send someone to see him or her. www.streetlink.org.uk or by calling 0300 500 0914.

Help can also be provided by supporting charities who can support them. Donate £2 by texting WORC02 or £5 by texting WORC05 to 70070

Another way to help is by volunteering for one of the Worcester Cares charities or services, including Maggs Day Centre, CCP and St Paul’s Hostel.

Worcester City Council has a responsibility to provide advice and guidance to people who find themselves homeless.

You can access City Council services and those of other organisations who support getting people off the street by talking to the Homeless team in The Hive or calling 01905 722589.