I'm experiencing homelessness
If you are experiencing homelessness you'll find below our top 3 most useful resources to download.
All Groundswell resources are produced with the guidance of health and social care specialists, and referencing information from NHS or specific charities.
The Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service can support people experiencing homelessness:
- Around any health issue, including physical, mental health and substance use.
- To attend and understand health appointments and make choices about the next steps.
- By giving practical support in attending follow ups and hospital stays.
- To find out information about health and health services.
- By paying for travel if needed.
The Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service can only support people around accessing healthcare. We cannot provide support around benefits or housing.
To get advice around housing or benefits, go to:
- Shelter - https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help
- Crisis - https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-help/london/
If you are worried about someone who is rough sleeping, go to:
- Streetlink - https://thestreetlink.org.uk/start
Local Day Centres are usually the best place to get in-person help and support and most boroughs have them. If you want an up-to-date list of homelessness services in London, go to:
- LHF Atlas - https://www.lhfatlas.org.uk/
- The Pavement Magazine - https://www.thepavement.org.uk/
What is Homeless Health Peer Advocacy?
The Groundswell Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) service supports people experiencing homelessness to address health issues.
We work to improve people’s confidence in using health services and increase their ability to access healthcare independently.
The volunteer Homeless Health Peer Advocates delivering the service have all experienced homelessness themselves; in some areas we also have specialist Care Navigators or Case Workers – the majority of whom began as volunteers.
Everyone goes through a rigorous selection procedure (including DBS checks), attends a comprehensive training programme, and receives ongoing support and supervision to enable them to carry out the role safely.
This is the list of boroughs where we provide our Homeless Health Peer Advocacy services:
https://groundswell.org.uk/what-we-do/homeless-health-peer-advocacy/london/
How to refer
- Please check the table below whether HHPA is available in your London borough
- If so, please use the options below to either:
Refer an individual experiencing homelessness to Groundswell’s HHPA service:
(If you’re unsure whether an individual has used the service before, please complete a new referral)
To request support for an upcoming appointment for an individual already registered in HHPA service email HHPA@groundswell.org.uk
Need to refer yourself?
Where HHPA London Operates
| Borough / project | Can accept referrals from | Can accompany people experiencing homelessness to appointments around | Other services offered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare (including dentists, opticians) and mental healthcare. | Health promotion in-reach sessions |
| Hackney | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare (including dentists, opticians) and mental healthcare. | Health promotion in-reach sessions |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare (including dentists, opticians) and alcohol misuse. | Health promotion in-reach sessions |
| Kensington and Chelsea | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare, mental healthcare and drug and mental healthcare. | Health promotion in-reach sessions |
| Lambeth | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare (including dentists, opticians) and mental healthcare. | Health promotion in-reach sessions |
| Southwark | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare (including dentists, opticians) and mental healthcare. | Health promotion in-reach sessions |
| Tower Hamlets | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare (including dentists, opticians) and mental healthcare. | |
| Westminster | Homeless sector staff, healthcare staff, self-referral | Physical healthcare, mental healthcare and drug and alcohol misuse. | Health promotion in-reach sessions |
|
We also work in Brent, Ealing and City but can only take referrals from specific teams. If you live in any of these boroughs and want to self refer or want to refer someone please call the HHPA team on 02077252858 |
|||
Resources
Groundswell & MIND: You have the right to feel ok
Hospital discharge planning for patients experiencing homelessness Health Guide
Your Rights Pocket Guide