A NEW charity working to keep people off the streets has been officially launched in Worcestershire.

County Community Projects (CCP), which aims to stop people becoming homeless and get them back into housing, opened its new centre in Pierpoint Street, Worcester, on Friday.

They have also opened a centre at Malvern Cube, open between noon and 3pm each Friday.

Founded in Gloucestershire, the charity started working in Worcestershire last year but has only just opened its drop in point, which provides face-to-face help for those in need.

Matt Gasside, community services manager, said demand for the service had already become clear, with CCP already over subscribed despite only operating in the county since December.

“We are already working at full capacity,” Mr Gasside said. “It shows there is obviously a need here.

“Clients can come in here and we can assess their needs. If we can’t help we will refer them to the right place.

“We go to clients’ homes, or if they are already homeless, they come to us. A lot of what we do is setting the accommodation up for the first time.”

The charity receives funding from the government scheme, Supporting People, which it passes on to get people back into accommodation. They are working with Worcestershire County Council to help people with mental health issues, whether single or a family, providing they are over 16 and single, or childless people that are over 18.

One Worcestershire woman, who did not want to be named, said CCP had helped her to start her life again.

She said: “I was made redundant after 26 years from Kays and I felt worthless. I refused to come out of my house. I even ate mouldy bread.

“I managed to get off anti-depressants two years ago after changing my diet. Last year I began working with CCP and they have given me such good support.

“I am planning to move out of my home after 41 years soon. They have helped me to take that step to move somewhere smaller and really start my life again.”

CCP is now looking for volunteers in Worcester to support the service and anyone interested can contact the team on 01242 228999, e-mail volunteering@ccprojects.

org.uk or pop into the drop in centre in Pierpoint Street, or the Malvern Cube, Albert Road North, where there are also computers for use by clients.