AN employment and training specialist has nominated a facility attached to St Paul's Hostel in Worcester for charity aid.

St Paul's in Tallow Hill helps with a multitude of homeless issues and uses innovative methods to fund its services, including profits from goods sold at Second Chance Furnishings, a retail warehouse on the city's Three Springs Trading Estate where profits go directly to help the needy.

With offices within walking distance at Shrub Hill, employment and training specialist Pertemps People Development Group has worked alongside Second Chance to help train some of its staff. The company has been so impressed by the support available that employees have nominated the charity as a recipient from their award winning payroll giving scheme.

“Our Worcester team wanted to recognise the partnership with a financial contribution,” said PPDG employer liaison coordinator Helen Savin. "Second Chance has offered placements to some of our unemployed clients to help build confidence and provide practical work experience, making their CV more attractive to local employers.”

Several clients are already supporting the charity by carrying out tasks such as working in the warehouse, providing administrative support or being a driver's mate.

Paul Clarke, operations controller at Second Chance, added: "Our aim is to support homeless individuals and families by providing access to affordable furniture that has been donated or recycled. But like many charities, we benefit from people who volunteer their services for free. In this instance Second Chance can reciprocate by improving people’s employability skills, confidence and self-belief so both parties really do stand to gain from such an active partnership. The £300 contribution we’ve received will be used to purchase items of protective clothing and new tools for our volunteers, so this generous donation from the employees is particularly welcome and will be put to immediate use.”