“It feels good to be welcomed back into society and feel human again” – that was the reaction of one homeless man to a Worcester man’s generous initiative.

Arran Arogundade, aged 27, gym manager of Worcester’s Fitness4Less organised an event for the homeless community which included rough sleepers to feast on food supplied by Nando’s in Friar Street and be provided with care packages.

Mr Arogundade said: “By taking the labels away and talking to them like real people it helps install their confidence.”

Patrick Morrissey, aged 48, who is a rough sleeper said: “Arran approached me in the street and gave me a bottle of water, a hoodie and some jogging bottoms and told me about what was happening.

“Ideally, we need someone who has got money who can put it into a building. We receive a lot of food and clothes, but no shelter, which is the real issue. Someone smashed all the windows where I was sleeping outside, and I was forced to sleep on glass and needles.”

A homeless man who wishes to remain unnamed, said: “This is the first event I have seen in Worcester where we can go to a warm place, have some food and a chat.

“It feels good to be welcomed back into society and feel human again.”

The mayor of Worcester, Jabba Riaz said: “We are looking at opportunities of buying units to get people off the streets.

“There is a lot of goodwill within this city, such as businesses and individuals who are offering their services in terms of clothing, foods and night shelter.”

“We are a magnet for homeless people coming from big cities as we provide the best service and we have the kindness from people looking after them.

“Homelessness cannot be tackled overnight. We need more events like these as an example of what the community can do to help. Kindness breeds kindness.

“We need the homeless population to open up and tell us what we can do to help so they do not rely on handouts. We need to treat them like human beings, and put self-worth, self-respect and dignity back into those people.”

Usman Multani, aged 24, from Golden Fades Barber’s in St John’s offered free haircuts to the men.

He said: “Some people may not feel confident enough or even have the money to come to a barber shop, so hopefully these free haircuts will give them more confidence.”

The homeless gathering was held at Nando’s, in Friar Street yesterday.

Matthew Wilson, manager at Nando’s said: “All our good quality products which we would sell to customer we donate to Maggs Day Centre at the end of the night. We are passionate about supporting our communities. All my staff volunteered to help - it is nice to be nice.”