A charity which started life as a church is expanding into business to provide employment for the homeless.

St Patrick's Trust, which provides accommodation and education for homeless people, is setting up a printing firm.

It has been backed by the Government's Rough Sleeper's Unit (RSU) and is set to be an example for the rest of the country.

Chief executive Stephen Sharpe said he hoped St Patrick's would become a business with a charitable wing.

He said: "Charities and housing providers tend to be very set in their ways but we are very keen not only to provide a high level of support and care but also to break traditions and establish better ways of doing things.

"Initially we were a church which 17 years ago opened its doors to the homeless allowing them to sleep on pews."

The printing firm will provide work for the homeless, ex-homeless and groups such as refugees with English as a second language.

Mr Sharpe said: "This will be a social business providing work for people who cannot get jobs because they have an education deficit and don't have references.

"Although St Patrick's has worked almost exclusively with the homeless we realise there are others who very much need our support who have a common link to poverty.

"There's no point in just providing night shelter and hostel accommodation.

"We have had people who stayed with us 12 years ago coming back.

"We need to face up to their needs and tackle them. If you provide too much accommodation it is like pushing the issues under the carpet rather than confronting them."

Mr Sharpe has made contact with a local firm which would like St Patrick's to do its printing and American Express is likely to be involved in providing mentors for employees.

Last October St Patrick's set up a learning and resources centre in conjunction with Brighton College of Technology at its base in Cambridge Road, Hove.

Mr Sharpe also plans to set up a second such centre for the homeless and other marginalised groups at St Andrew's Church in Waterloo Street, Hove.

He is due to make a presentation to the Government's RSU about the two projects.

He said: "We seem to be at the forefront of groundbreaking stuff by working with the college.

"Some people we will work with will not be interested in education but they will need help to fill in forms and get a job and we will be less intimidating than an educational establishment.

"Many people find themselves homeless because of a breakdown in family relationships.

"But this business was started by my father, Father Allan Sharpe, and it has grown to a trust made up of friends and families."

Government homeless tsar Louise Casey said: "St Patrick's is leading the way in developing exciting ways to help people rebuild their lives away from the street.

"Helping vulnerable people into education, training or employment means they can take their equal place in society."