St Paul’s Hostel

St Paul’s Hostel, a Worcester Council of Churches initiative, first opened in March 1977 as a response to the high numbers of people in Worcester sleeping rough in derelict buildings, car parks, bus shelters or open spaces.

The hostel first opened in the derelict vicarage of St Paul’s church where Revd. Studdert Kennedy (Woodbine Willy) used to be priest. Our name derives from these humble but important early days.

At St Paul’s we use trauma as a lens through which we look to understand why a person arrives at our door.

In our experience, trauma, often from early life relationships and often recurring is prevalent in many of the people who come to us for help.

We recognise the damage trauma can do to the character of a person and the negative effect it has on the choices they have. In reversing these effects we have learnt that trust is the essential ingredient.