Hi there, thanks for looking me up!
For those who don’t know me - my background is in general and mental health nursing. I now work in health commissioning for NHS Chiltern CCG.
Working to better understand the health needs of people who are homeless, I have seen the incredible dedication of the people working with WHC and other Buckinghamshire charities. I want to help support them in doing the vital work they are so passionate about - to help the many people who are homeless this winter and who face considerable physical and mental hardships every day.
73% suffer physical health issues. A high proportion of these are joint and muscular problems, chest and breathing issues and/or dental problems. 35% regularly eat less than two meals a day (Homeless Link in 2014). How hard must this be – being in pain / having trouble breathing and sleeping on a cold damp floor with no ‘home comforts’ not even your own loo!
The ill-health homeless people experience plays a major part in keeping them in poverty, in poor conditions and excluded from society. Factors like having no fixed abode stops them from getting medical help to prevent some of the conditions they face.
In addition to physical illness over 80% of those in the UK study reported having mental health issues that often made it even more difficult to get the right treatment.
Yet treatment – for both physical and mental health issues – can make a massive difference to people living in such povety, perhaps even helping them take the first steps out of their situation.
Let’s ensure more people receive the help and support they need.
Please sponsor me so I can help Wycombe Homeless Connexions with its fantastic work this winter
(Oh … and please cross your fingers for continued good weather - I don’t do cold!!) Many Many Thanks, Jackie
