Health hub comes to Blackburn to help the homeless
published on 1 Jun 2022
The Salvation Army brings health hub for homeless to Blackburn.
Our Lifehouse in Blackburn is hosting a health hub for homeless people.
Taking place at Bramwell House, located on Heaton Street, the hub will see a range of agencies come together for the day to offer support and information to our residents.
Key organisations including healthcare professionals offering hepatitis C testing, a dentist, mental health team and a substance misuse team will be in attendance along with a debt counselling service and our very own Employment Plus provision which offers tailored support to help people become job-ready.
The idea behind the health hub came from two social work students who are on a placement at Bramwell House and studying a master’s degree in social care. Natasha Tantwala, 34, from Blackburn and Gemma Kearns, 32, from Hyndburn, came up with the idea as a way to advise residents of what is available to them in the local area to improve their wellbeing, whilst also being a key element of their placement, to develop and deliver an informative event.
Residents have regular access to healthcare professionals, but this is an opportunity for all agencies to liaise with each other and work together to support local homeless people.
Colin Mottershead, service manager of Bramwell House said: “We’re grateful to Natasha and Gemma for coming up with the idea to host an event which allows our residents the chance to see what services organisations in the area can offer to support them in their journey out of homelessness.
“Many vulnerable people don’t have the motivation or courage to go out and meet with organisations that can help them, but our Health Hub was a great way to bring companies to them, signposting them in the right direction, and providing another arm of support that is offered to residents and the wider community in need.
“We’re strong believers that our Lifehouses are more than a place to stay; we aim to give residents a reason to get up in the morning and see themselves as people of the community and not just the label of homelessness.
A BBQ and games to boost residents’ mental health and wellbeing will also be available and Natasha and Gemma have been supported throughout the planning by their line manager, Toni Scott, project co-ordinator at Bramwell House.
Our hostels, known as Lifehouses, provide specialist support and guidance to help residents tackle the complex reasons that led them to homelessness and help them end this cycle.
