Registered GP is the latest arm of support offered at drop-in

Registered GP to offer another arm of support to homeless community at Salvation Army drop in

The Salvation Army’s drop-in service continues to go from strength to strength with a registered GP the latest offering to provide extra support to the homeless community of Blackburn. 

The church and charity’s Phoenix Hub, located on Clayton Street, will host a weekly doctor’s drop-in clinic for one-to-one consultations every Tuesday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Phoenix Hub clients will be able to discuss health concerns, symptom management options and mental health support, and with no need for an appointment people can turn up, register with Phoenix Hub, and join a waiting list for the same day, accessing other services available at the hub whilst they wait if they wish.

Sandra Skellern, specialist support worker at The Salvation Army’s Phoenix Hub said: “We’re proud to be able to provide a registered GP as another arm of the support that we give to people within our community and are confident that this will be a gamechanger to many of our clients’ situations. Already dealing with a multitude of stumbling blocks, people who are living on the streets or in times of crisis can suffer from a range of health complications, often because of, or as a contribution to, their living situations.

“Many of the people who access Phoenix Hub are merely surviving day-to-day and keeping appointments or having the courage and drive to go out and see a doctor, can be daunting and so things can slip. The service will make accessing healthcare easier and more inclusive for those who need it most, in a safe, familiar place where people feel comfortable, and in turn provide a healthier and safer way of life.”

This recent offering from The Salvation Army is the latest in a long list of support the church and charity is providing to the homeless community of Blackburn bolstering the impressive health support already available and comes following the installation of a clinical room at Phoenix Hub with liver scans, blood testing and wound care already in place. 

Phoenix Hub is a one-stop shop for every service that people experiencing homelessness may need, bringing together an optician, Hepatitis C nurse, housing needs team from the local council and a substance misuse team - all under one easy-to-access roof. People are also able to access a clothing bank, washing machine and drier, a hot breakfast, showering facilities and emergency food parcels.

Run by The Salvation Army and supported by volunteers, the church and charity has worked together with the local council and Lancashire-based health organisations to create the health and wellbeing service for the town’s most vulnerable people, including people forced to sleep rough, sofa surfers and people in temporary accommodation.

The Salvation Army has a Just Giving page, dedicated specifically to its work at Phoenix Hub which can be found at www.justgiving.com/page/phoenix-hub-the-salvation-army.