Health Boost For Homeless In Swansea

Homeless and vulnerable adults are to benefit from a new health service set up in a Swansea church.

A nurse is being funded to work at the Cyrenians Community Centre at St Matthew’s Church, High Street, to look after the needs of rough sleepers.

Cyrenians director Conrad Watkins said he was pleased to be in partnership with Swansea Local Health Board to bring essential primary health care to people on the margins of mainstream services. Click here to visit the Cyrenians website

“But this is just the start,” he said.

“We hope this partnership is going to develop over time so that we can offer dentistry, podiatry and mental health support within the framework of a centre that promotes all aspects of healthy living, including good quality food, training and health awareness.”

A pilot project has seen 50 homeless and vulnerable adults registered with the local surgery in the past 12 months.

During the same period, the GP has seen 154 patients at sessions provided at the centre.

Careers advice and tips on healthy eating and exercise have also been provided.

The newly funded health service is a partnership set up between the Cyrenians and the local health board.

The scheme was launched by the Assembly’s Health Minister Edwina Hart.

Mrs Hart applauded the new initiative and said more attention needed to be given to the health needs of vulnerable people in the community.

“I am delighted that we have been able to support this fantastic project,” she said.

“And I would like to pay tribute to the excellent work that is carried out by this facility in providing invaluable support to vulnerable people in our community.”