A homelessness charity has marked a major milestone in an ongoing project to refurbish its accommodation for rough sleepers.

Homeless Care, in Maidstone, has opened a new bedroom, office and smoking area at Goodsell House, which provides stability and a chance at a new life for the town’s most vulnerable.

The organisation, which also runs Maidstone Day Centre drop-in centre in Knightrider Street, and a foodbank, has further plans to spruce up the garden, to make the site look as welcoming as possible.

The office was moved to make way for the extra room, and is now in a purpose-built wooden cabin.

The smoking area is comprised of decking, benches and an open gazebo, and is an amazing improvement, according to Tracy Maybank, from Maidstone Day Centre.

She said: “What they had before, it was just a piece of waste ground with some very rickety furniture.

“It always looked tired and terrible but now it’s looking brilliant. I am a great believer if you give them a nice home, they look after that home.”

The new bedroom means Goodsell House, which Homeless Care took on in 2013, can now cater for 10 people, including 71-year-old grandfather Paul, who has asked that we don’t use his surname.

Paul slept in his car for months and didn’t eat for 10 days, before getting help from the charity.

The project received donations from B&Q and the Joan Ainslie Charitable Trust.

The KM is supporting Homeless Care’s annual appeal for donations, You Can Help, for the 20th year running. To make a financial donation to You Can Help, click here.