The #HealthNow Peer Network - promoting participation for people with experience of homelessness

The #HealthNow Peer Network is an innovative and empowering initiative that has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of people who are often overlooked and marginalized by mainstream healthcare services. The network brings together individuals with lived experience of homelessness who have expertise in tackling homeless health inequality. As a result, the network is uniquely positioned to generate community-led solutions to health inequalities, particularly for those who are marginalized and excluded from mainstream healthcare services.

One of the key features of the #HealthNow Peer Network is its use of a digital platform that enables members to connect and communicate with each other, regardless of their location. This allows people who are isolated or living in remote areas opportunities for inclusion and connection that they might not otherwise have access to. By creating a supportive and inclusive community, the network aims to empower its members to take control of their own health and wellbeing, to connect and collaborate with others who have had similar experiences, and to advocate for change in the healthcare system.

Areas of involvement

Previous network meeting topics and involvement activities have been numerous and varied, with topics including:

• Developing heatwave resources for people experiencing homelessness
• The Impact of Temporary Accommodation on Health and Homelessness
• #HealthNow Mental Health research
• NICE guidelines consultation – Integrated Health and Social Care for People Experiencing Homelessness
• Amnesty - Health and Homelessness research
• Encouraging Vaccine Uptake workshop the findings of which were shared with DLUHC
• “Bridging the Gap” - Access to primary care for people experiencing homelessness
• Health inequalities in Primary care advisory group
• GP registration barriers workshop
• Healthcare access and engagement within services workshop
• Vaccine Resources workshop
• #HealthNow Peer Evaluation
• Campaign roles and volunteering opportunities
• Training Advisory Group and training development
• Palliative care training
• Newcastle University focus group– The Health Impact of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative
• Palliative Care - research interviews and focus groups
• Suicide Prevention resource development
• Dental care for people experiencing homelessness

Engagement with these topics and in other areas of involvement have been substantial and productive, and has also led to a great deal of positive feedback and further involvement from stakeholders.

Volunteer experiences and benefit of involvement

During a peer evaluation in 2022, respondents unanimously expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their involvement, and cited positive benefits for their mental health, social connections and an increased sense of empowerment.

Current and former volunteers from multiple organisations across the country have forged strong bonds and friendships as a result of their involvement in the network, and the advantage of existing relationships gained by involvement in online meetings has had clear benefits for volunteers when the opportunity for in-person engagement has arisen.

The network actively promotes all of the principles of the framework.

We have permission to share this case study, we are happy for it to be shared and can provide Groundswell and #HealthNow logos.