A new shower and wet room for homeless people has been opened at the United Reformed Church (URC) in Kingston town centre, following support from charities, public organisations and the business community.

The £26,000 facility, which will provide a safe place for homeless people to clean themselves up before job interviews, has been supported by Kingston mayor Councillor Ian McDonald, who opened it on Tuesday, April 27.

Coun McDonald said: “I discovered a common way of bathing was jumping into the Thames and I witnessed one young man narrowly escape drowning, having tried to bathe in a river with sewage released into it.

“This new facility is a demonstration that by working together as a community we can add quality to everyone’s life. We now need to develop this sense of common purpose to wipe out homelessness once and for all.”

The mayor’s fund contributed £4,700 and church members donated £5,700, while the Tudor Trust, Garfield Weston, London Catalyst, Transport for London and Kingston Council also provided funds. John Lewis supplied a washing machine for clothes, while Smith & Byford carried out its part of the work at cost.

URC minister Reverend Lesley Charlton said: “We always try to remember that Jesus loved all people. This is a good example of how the church has enabled the community to come together to provide a much needed facility in the town.”

Church secretary Derek Winsor praised Coun McDonald’s efforts to changing attitudes to homelessness in Kingston, and said the shower showed what could be achieved when local organisations worked together.