GREEN Party leader Natalie Bennett has called for more to be done to tackle homelessness in the city.
Speaking on her second visit to the city in as many months, Ms Bennett visited the Maggs Day Centre in Deansway to find out more about the work the centre does to offer support to those without a home and also thanked volunteers and staff for their work.
After hearing how 15 people had used the centre that morning after sleeping rough in Worcester the night before, Ms Bennett called for more action to tackle homelessness.
“I think there’s a general perception that Worcester is a pretty prosperous kind of place, but these are people who here in the community, part of the community, who need more help,” Ms Bennett said.
“We were just hearing this morning how 15 homeless people were sleeping on the streets last night in Worcester who have come in this morning.
“What we need is more support services.
“Many people here I’m told do have mental health issues and some people have been in prison and come out of prison with mental health issues, but there’s no treatment, no effective way for them to progress through that.
During her visit the Green Party leader also lent her support to the Living Above the Shops campaign, launched by the party’s candidate for Battenhall Louis Stephen, and urged Worcester City Council to get behind the idea.
“Of course in the election Louis has been focusing on the Living Above the Shop campaign and that’s the kind of accommodation, perhaps with the involvement of Housing Associations, that could be affordable,” she added.
“I think the City Council doesn’t necessarily have to do it, but they can be a facilitator and co-ordinator to bring together the owners of the buildings and link up with the housing associations.”
And with the City Council elections just next week, Ms Bennett said her presence in the city showed how confident she was of the Green’s getting a second councillor elected to the Guildhall.
“We’re very serious about it; my presence shows you that we’re very serious about winning at least a second seat here in Worcester.
“It’s really important for Worcester to have that voice on the council; that strong voice challenging, scrutinizing, and asking the tough questions, that’s something the Greens do and that really improves the quality of local government.”
