Oldham homelessness charity joins forces with St John's

Oldham charity Homeless-Friendly has joined forces with one of the nation’s most cherished health organisations - St John’s Ambulance - to provide emergency coronavirus support for rough sleepers.

Those experiencing homelessness have an average life expectancy of just 45 years of age.

And with the coronavirus biting and resources stretched, the two good causes are providing health protection kits, flu jabs and testing for Hepatitis C.

Each Tuesday and Thursday, volunteers from St John’s Ambulance take a mobile treatment centre to locations within Greater Manchester, providing basic first aid care, advice, and support with onward healthcare referrals.

The team works alongside Manchester City Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Greater Manchester Police, Change Grow Live, Coffee for Craig and the Rough Sleepers team.

Caroline Broadbent, Lead St John Ambulance Volunteer for the Homeless, said: “We carry out pinprick tests for Hepatitis C and also offer a safe space where we can talk to people experiencing homelessness.

"I enjoy speaking with those people, helping them, and gaining an understanding of the problems they face.”

Set up by local GP Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE after he saw a homeless man pulling out his own teeth with a pair of pliers, Homeless-Friendly has been instrumental in making sure those without a permanent address get seen at surgeries.

Inviting organisations to pledge to make their policies and procedures accessible to those enduring homelessness, the charity has formed alliances with hospitals, hospices, businesses, and other good causes.

Their partnership with St John Ambulance, said Dr Chauhan, was an entirely natural one.

“It is a no brainer to work with an organisation who have provided such care within their community for so long,” said Dr Chauhan.

"With the possibility of a second wave of COVID, the usual winter pressures of falls and flu, and impending economic problems that could lead to many more becoming homeless, it is so important that we work together.”

Since the commencement of lockdown, Homeless-Friendly has been providing COVID-19 protection kits to those on the streets.

Added Dr Chauhan: “We were able to produce these and potentially save lives in Oldham because the public supported us with donations.

"Their kindness at what is a difficult economic time is extraordinary and proves that compassion towards the vulnerable is still strong.”

To pledge to make your organisation Homeless-Friendly, visit: https://www.homelessfriendly.co.uk/

To donate to creating the Homeless-Friendly health kits, telephone: 0161 371 6165 or email: gail.sutcliffe1@nhs.net

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