THE Salvation Army in Worcester has seen a boost in its numbers thanks to the hard work of two young people.

Charity shop takings have doubled, congregation numbers have increased and several more volunteers have been recruited since September, when community co-ordinator Chris Styles joined Jodie Green on the church staff.

“What we do here isn’t so much about business but the people we do it for,” said Mr Styles, aged 21, who attends the Salvation Army church in Malvern.

“It is nice to be a person that people in the town come to for help and it’s really good to be a part of the growth and resurgence at Worcester Salvation Army.”

Since Miss Green, of The Glade, Malvern, began work in the church’s coffee lounge on a six-month contract last March, custom has grown and, because she enjoys it so much, she continues to volunteer there while studying for an NVQ diploma in professional cookery at Worcester College of Technology.

Miss Green, 19, said: “This was my first job when I left school and I loved it. I have been interested in catering for a long time and at the Salvation Army I’ve had the chance to build my experience and now I know it is what I want to do as a career.

“That is why I have gone back to college. The people here are really nice, I got lots of support and I’ve come to know a lot of the customers which makes the atmosphere great.”

Leaders Captains Alan and Carole Donaldson said the charity’s young charges have played a key role in its resurgence.

“We are so happy with the growth we are seeing,” said Captain Alan.

“The Salvation Army has been in Worcester since 1881 and was very popular by the time we moved into this building in The Trinity in 1987. We started to see a decline in attendance at Sunday services in the 1990s but we have seen a real turnaround since Jodie and Chris joined us.

“Folk who have come here to shop, eat or attend other activities are joining us on Sundays.”

The Salvation Army’s brass band will play carols in Worcester every Saturday until Christmas from 10.30am to 12.30pm outside Debenhams in the High Street, and on from 11am to 1pm Wednesdays in CrownGate shopping centre.

Proceeds will go to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal for needy local children.