The hostel celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2007. It all began in 1977 when a group of Worcester people used the derelict vicarage of St Paul’s Church to provide shelter, safety and a bed for the growing numbers of rough sleepers. Facilities were very basic; mattresses on the floor, water from a hosepipe, and it was staffed entirely by volunteers.

The ‘hostel’ then moved to the old maternity hospital on the Tallow Hill site, then known as Hillsborough. The place was damp and disgusting. The new plaster was literally falling off the walls nine months later, the facilities were cracked and stained. It was a hazard in its own right!

The St Paul's Hostel Council worked very hard to raise the awareness and money to provide a new building, and eventually went into partnership with Sanctuary Housing as a way forward.

There are now plans to extend the hostel, either on the current grounds, or by using another property. The hostel needs more beds, or to be able to move on specific clientel to specialised units. The hostel also needs more offices, a full time administrator has recently been appointed, and a Volunteer Coodinator. Workshops are also required, the hostel wants to increase the training opportunities available to clients.