A Waltham Forest hub for rough sleepers run by charity, Change Grow Live, provides a safe space where rough sleepers can access support from physical and mental health, social care, and housing professionals.

Rough sleepers can use washing, cooking and IT facilities offering a much-needed break from living on the streets and, at the same time, help to leave homelessness behind for good.

The integrated care model of support from multiple agencies including the local council, various charities and the NHS is made possible due to the determination and passion of the team behind the service.

Homelessness can have a damaging effect on someone's physical wellbeing, and homeless people are more likely to be a victim of violence according to Crisis. Mental health issues are also deeply connected to the trauma and adversity people experiencing homeless face.

Most of the people the team sees need support with physical and mental health, addiction, as well as housing.

Cheryl Tribe, NELFT community nurse, who looks after the physical care needs of rough sleepers, has been working in the area of homelessness for four years. She is the only physical health nurse at the service and works closely with two mental health nurses to look after 600 patients a year, with 20 new referrals each month.

The 58 year-old nurse offers health checks out on the street, in underpasses, tents and hostels - wherever she can reach people needing support. She said:

“Homeless people are the most resilient people I’ve ever met. I’m proud to work with them and witness the steps they take to become healthier, to survive. Some of it might seem easy, but it takes remarkable courage and heart.

“No one should live without healthcare. But with homeless people, it is considered acceptable. That’s wrong, and our service is breaking that pattern.”

One of the people that Cheryl met on the streets is Carly, who cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the new centre. Cheryl said:

“When I first met Carly through her mental health social worker, she was living in a tent. She was so scared and distrustful of services that she wouldn’t come out. So, I was talking to her from outside the tent. For the first few months, I didn't know what she looked like. It took a good eight weeks before I actually got to see her face, before she trusted me enough to just let me see her and work with her.

“People who have been homeless for years are likely to be traumatised and won’t trust easily. It could take months to build rapport before treating for serious long-term conditions.

“Approaching them slowly in their own terms, no rushing, no pushing is the only way to build trust and offer care that is essential to their survival.”

Carly who’s in her 50s, has been on the street for the best part of 20 years. With the help of the service, she’s now in accommodation, and is hoping to reconnect with her children.  She shared her personal story at the opening:

“For so many years I’ve tried to get out of it, but it’s been so hard. All I wanted was to be in touch with my family, again. This is the only service that has actually helped me and treated me like a person.”

Taking a holistic approach that looks at everything going on in someone’s life is at the core of the service.

Jackie Boyton, Change Grow Live outreach service lead, who is the driving force behind the new hub, said: 

“It’s unacceptable to be depriving people of their humanity just because they’re going through difficult times.

“We try to give some comfort, somewhere where people can be safe, clean and not hungry. No judgement, no stigma. It’ s important that people know that there is help out there and there is nothing to feel ashamed about.”

The Waltham Forest Rough Sleepers Hub is located at Change Grow Live in Marsham Court, 642 Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17 3EF.

To find out more, visit:  Change Grow Live | Charity | We can help you change your life