The Beginning
The initiative which would develop into Maggs Day Centre slightly predates the death of John Maggs. In December 1983, the Probation service called a meeting of all city agencies, both statutory and voluntary. Its purpose was to investigate the increasing number of people living rough, in hostels, or in bed and breakfast rooms, because of: ‘financial difficulties, problems finding accommodation, psychiatric problems, loneliness, drink dependence and a host of other problems’. As a result of their discussions, a Steering Committee was set up including representatives from Worcester’s Council of Churches, St Paul’s Hostel (which provided a night shelter), the Psychiatric Nursing Service and some of the city’s councillors. All of the early meetings were hosted by the Probation Service.
The shocking death of John Maggs in July 1984 provided a powerful impetus, and the search began to find premises for a day centre which could support those in need. The first plan was to convert the Old Chapel Inn, a derelict pub on New Street (now Chesters Restaurant). This failed when the council refused planning permission. There was strong local opposition, citing fears about damaging city-centre businesses and driving away tourists.
The Chapel
An alternative came along in the shape of the mediaeval church of St Albans on Deansway, which had once been the oldest parish church in Worcester City. It had been decommissioned for worship by the Church Commissioners in September 1976 and appropriated to St Nicolas & All Saints, who were empowered to licence it for alternative religious or charitable uses. On 22 October 1985, the Steering Committee merged with the Parish Church Council of St Nicolas & All Saints to facilitate the establishment of Maggs Day Centre in the empty church. The patrons of the new Committee were the Bishop of Worcester (Philip Goodrich) and local MP Peter Walker, and most of its members had been involved since the first meeting two years earlier.
An attempt was made to create an acronym for Maggs and the Committee came up with ‘Multi-purpose Advice, General Guidance & Support’. Thankfully, this did not stick and was soon forgotten. On Saturday, 21 December 1985, it opened its doors for the first time, and welcomed 17 people on its first day, rising to 25 on day two, even providing a Christmas meal. The staff and volunteers were encouraged by the fact that some of those who came were not people already known to social services. Initially it was only open at weekends from 10.00 to 16.00 but this was extended to include Mondays in November 1986.
A Challenging Start
The first few years would be difficult ones, trying to raise funding for an unglamorous cause, during a recession where no government support was forthcoming. It is a testament to the philanthropy and determination of the founding members that they never gave up on their objective. By 1988, things had progressed sufficiently to establish a more formal structure. On 19 July Maggs Day Centre was incorporated as a Private Limited Company which enabled it to gain charitable status on 17 November. On 4 April 1989, the first general meeting of the new organisation was held.
At the same time, there was the problem of occupying a ‘scheduled monument’ which was in poor condition having been left empty for some time. This meant negotiating with the Department of the Environment and English Heritage. In 1988 Maggs obtained a 40% grant from English Heritage towards major renovation work on the stonework and interior structure. In September, the Day Centre moved temporarily to premises in Lovesgrove, provided by the Probation Service. Conditions there were difficult, with the Maggs team describing the building as ‘old and dilapidated’. But by mid-June 1989, St Albans was ready to move back into. The organisational changes, combined with the building refurbishment, made it possible to extend opening times to seven days a week in November 1989.
In 1990 Maggs was granted a 15-year lease at a peppercorn rent. By 2009, it was firmly established and signed a new lease which extended its tenure to 150 years. The same year, on 2 December, they received a royal visit from the Queen’s nephew, Michael Duke of Gloucester, who unveiled a plaque to commemorate the event. Since then, activities have expanded to include a Clothing Project and an additional Day Centre in nearby Malvern.
Maggs Today
It is sad to have to say that John Maggs’ experience of homelessness is still being repeated today. John had people who cared for him and tried hard to help, but they did not have the resources to provide the kind of support he needed, and there was nowhere else for him to turn. Maggs has grown into a resource offering vulnerable people who find themselves in difficult circumstances the type of support which was not available to him. In this way, it has prevented many others dying alone and unnoticed on the streets of a major English city.
