A HOMELESS hostel has opened a kitchen garden for residents.

Jonathan Sutton, the CEO of St Paul’s Hostel, in Tallow Hill, Worcester, hopes the garden will show doubters that the site is no longer a 'dosshouse'.

Instead, the project is part of the hostel's new approach towards residents, which focuses on understanding trauma from their past.

It is hoped residents will benefit from tending to the garden and that it will provide free produce for the hostel canteen.

County councillor John Smith, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, joined nearly 30 guests, from Public Health, Worcester Community Trust, Sanctuary Housing, volunteers, local churches, Youth Support Services, Swanswell and Caring for Communities and People, to open the kitchen garden on July 13.

The new feature was set up on an unused parcel of land overlooking Midland Road.

Fruit and vegetables are now growing in the garden.