A PANEL of experts will be meeting next month to develop a new way of tackling rough sleeping.

The event is being organised by Malvern Hills District Council in the wake of two deaths of rough sleepers in recent months

Joby Sparrey, aged 47, was found dead in the doorway of Brays in Worcester Road, Malvern, on Christmas Day morning.

And Remigiusz Boczarski, who had been living in a bus shelter in Wells Road, Malvern, last summer, is believed to have taken his own life on October 30, aged 40.

The event, which will take place some time in February, will draw on expertise from both national and local organisations from the housing, health and voluntary sectors.

The focus will be on how best to work with and support rough sleepers who have become entrenched in street life and present with complex issues including drug and alcohol addiction and mental health problems.

Leading national homelessness charity Crisis has already agreed to be part of the panel and advice is also being sought from the Government’s Rough Sleeper Unit.

The panel will also consider issues such as bed provision - both temporary and permanent in the area - and improving public reporting and education around rough sleeping. Understanding the factors driving the increase in rough sleeping both locally and nationally will also be examined.

Councils across Worcestershire are being invited to attend as it is recognised all areas are experiencing a rise in rough sleeping and it is an opportunity to share expertise and experiences.

Findings from the event will be used to develop a model that can be trialled across the area. Support for funding for such a trial has already been sought from the Government by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, following discussions with the Chief Executive of Malvern Hills District Council, Jack Hegarty.

Malvern Hills District Council already works extensively to prevent homelessness and support rough sleepers. In the last five financial years more than 800 households have been prevented from becoming homeless due to the work of the council’s housing team and CCP.

Council leader David Chambers said: “Housing issues were already a priority for this council, but the two recent deaths of rough sleepers in Malvern has brought the wider and more complex issues that surround rough sleeping into stark focus.

"We all want to see an end to rough sleeping and to achieve this we will need support from key partner agencies both locally and nationally.

“Bringing experts together will allow us to benefit from their experience and knowledge so we can develop something that will allow us to deliver even greater support and positive solutions for those sleeping rough.”

Cllr Sarah Rouse said: "After the sobering deaths recently, we all support seeking expert advice on solutions. Without question, mental health support and substance misuse prevention service losses need to be reversed so help for the vulnerable can be accessed earlier. We need a long-term solution and I only hope we can access the funding to do this properly."

An inquest into Mr Sparrey's death will be held on Tuesday, February 26, at 3pm at the Stourport Coroners Court, and is set to last an hour.

Mr Sparrey's funeral service is being held on Friday, January 18, at Christ Church, Avenue Road, Malvern.