About Us
Our History
At Maggs, our story begins with John Cecil Maggs — a man who experienced homelessness on the streets of Worcester in the 1970s and early 1980s.
His life, and his death in 1984, became a turning point. It brought attention to the realities of homelessness in the city and helped to galvanise local organisations, services, and volunteers to take action.
What followed was the creation of Maggs Day Centre in 1985 — a place of safety, support, and human connection.
Today, that same commitment continues. This page explores how Maggs has grown from those beginnings into a county-wide organisation supporting people across Worcestershire.
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Our story
Our story over the years
1940
John Cecil Maggs was born in Worcester
1973
Production ceases at the Fownes Glove Factory on City Walls Road and the building falls into dereliction.
1974
John Maggs becomes homeless and goes to live on the streets of Worcester
1976
St Albans Church on Deansway is declared redundant for worship by the Church Commissioners who give St Nicolas & All Saints the power to grant a licence for alternative religious or charitable causes.
1983
A meeting is called by Worcester Probation Service, of all city agencies (statutory and voluntary) to set up a Steering Committee to tackle the problem of homelessness (direct and indirect) and its causes in the city.
July 1984
John Maggs is found dead in the basement of the derelict Fownes Glove Factory on City Walls Road
Nov 1984
Plans to use the Old Chapel Inn on New Street as a day centre are rejected by Worcester City Council due to community opposition
Oct 1985
The Steering Committee and Parish Council of St Nicolas & All Saints merge with the objective of establishing a day centre in St Albans Church on Deansway
21 Dec 1985
Our Maggs Day Centre open its doors in time for Christmas, operating at weekends only.
Oct 1986
Fownes Glove Factory reopens as the Fownes Hotel
Nov 1986
Maggs hours extended to three days, Saturday to Monday, 10.00 to 16.00
July 1988
Incorporated as a Private Limited Company called Maggs Day Centre
Sept 1988
Temporary move of Maggs Day Centre from Deansway to Lovesgrove in order to carry out major renovation works, with a 40% grant from English Heritage
Nov 1988
Maggs entered on the Central Register of Charities as Maggs Day Centre
April 1989
First official meeting of the new organisation after becoming a limited company and achieving its charitable status
June 1989
Maggs Day Centre moves back to the refurbished building in Deansway
Nov 1989
Hours extended to seven days a week
1990
Maggs Day Centre granted a 15 year lease, backdated to 1st July 1984, for a peppercorn rent
2003
The Clothing Project opens in premises on Sansome Street
April 2009
Maggs Day Centre's lease extended to 150 years backdated to 31 Dec 2008
Dec 2009
Duke of Gloucester visits Maggs Day Centre and unveils a plaque
2015
We launched our 'Health Hub' alongside our popular coffee mornings in the Worcester Day Centre.
2016
Maggs Day Centre was recognised with The Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service. This prestigious award is described as the MBE for volunteer groups.
2017
A new 'Clothing Store and Activities Centre' (relocated from Sansome Street to a shop in the Tything) is opened by Robin Walker, MP for Worcester
2018
We launched our first Outreach roles in Worcester city, extending our active services for homeless people.
2019
Maggs was formally recognised as skilled local provider of Outreach services, therefore we secured additional District Council funding to kickstart further outreach/navigation services across Worcestershire.
2020
Malvern Day Centre opens its doors as a result of the deaths of two rough sleepers.
2020
Our Accommodation Project begins.
2021
We launched our Harm Reduction service countywide.
2022
Next to join Maggs' services was our Intensive Transition team.
2023
Our Accommodation Project accquired our second property, resulting in a total of 15 high-quality accommodation opportunities within 4 properties.
June 2025
We launched our 2025–2028 strategy, setting out our long-term vision to strengthen county-wide support, develop services, and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
October 2025
New Redditch Hub opened, expanding our support into North Worcestershire with a dedicated space offering practical help, advice, and stability.
January 2026
We launched our new Allotment Project, meaning we can strengthen our wellbeing, skills, and recovery-focused opportunities through community-led green space initiatives.
Our story
Our Supporters
Maggs is funded entirely through donations from the local community, support from local businesses, and grants from local and national trusts.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of all local authorities and councils, as well as our many valued partners.
To learn more about the organisations and individuals who support our work, please visit our Supporters page.
