Groundswell's Homeless Health Peer Advocacy Service

Groundswell’s Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) service supports people experiencing homelessness to address physical and mental health issues. Staff and Volunteers who have direct experience of homelessness support people to overcome practical and personal barriers to accessing the healthcare they need and supporting them to develop the confidence and skills to increase their ability to access healthcare independently. Here is a case study that outlines some of the work we do to support our clients.

Client H: Referred by Homeless Nursing team.

Male, 46 years old, foreign national, no recourse to public funds, needs translation support.

Diabetes Type 2

Colorectal health

Mental health issues and history of daily drinking

Groundswell Case Worker engaged with H the day before temporary Christmas accommodation was ending at a London hotel and he would be returning to rough sleeping, completed initial engagement including outlining the Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service, understanding his health priorities and current situation. Supported to attend investigative appointment at a London hospital. Supported to make HC1 application and attend GP appointment to ensure up to date with annual diabetes health check. Supported to attend diabetic health check and diabetic eye screening. Once HC2 certificate was issued booked optician and dental and supported to attend. H was issued with glasses that were later stolen while he was rough sleeping. Case Worker supported H to attend a therapy assessment where concerns were raised around mental health and risk highlighted which resulted in H being offered a telephone assessment a few months later and was offered 3 sessions with a mental health agency for emotional support. H was being supported to make a asylum claim by another London homelessness organisation, Case Worker was informed that H would be moving into home office accommodation so arranged medication supply however accommodation fell through and returned to the street. Arranged GP appointment to discuss management of diabetes while H was rough sleeping, coached on insulin use and storage. Partner organisations and GP had raised safeguarding concerns and were chasing Social Services for needs assessment and accommodation. Supported to attend and engage with course of dental treatment.