Latest News
Healthwatch Conference: Video on homelessness
Healthwatch week ran from 09-12 November 2021 and saw over 600 staff and volunteers join together online from across England. The conference tackled key challenges such as Ensuring patient voice in health and social care and Tackling inequalities. The conference reflected on [...]
Morebus Community Fund Support!
The HealthBus applied through Morebus’ Community Fund for help to pay for an outreach kit for its new Engagement and Enhancement Nurse, Chrissie Croucher. “Our HealthBus GP and Nurses have provided over 1,500 appointments so far this year operating [...]
Run for the Bus 2021
“We are delighted to share that the event was a huge success with over 40 people taking part; raising over £2500 to change lives! Your support makes it possible for our patients to receive health checks, drug and alcohol support, mental health [...]
Best Practice Conference 2021
HealthBus Medical Director, Maggie Kirk was invited to be a keynote speaker for the Best Practice Conference 2021 at the NEC on 13-14 October 2021. This conference is the UK’s number one event for the primary care and general practice [...]
South Today: BBC News
BBC News journalist visited the HealthBus on 09 October 2021 to see how the Trust was supporting individuals to overcome barriers related to homeless. Both Martin (HealthBus client) and Dr Maggie Kirk were interviewed and shared how the staff and [...]
Chris Braved the Shave
A massive thank you to Chris Wakefield (Vice-Chair of Trustees & Fundraiser for the HealthBus) and everyone who supported him to have his curly locks shaved off for the HealthBus. Chris has raised over £400! It's not too late to [...]
Lord of Westbury visit to HealthBus
Steve Young (Lord of Westbury), President, Global Tourism and Leisure at Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club, visited the HealthBus to discover more about its function, aspiration and key outcomes in supporting those that are rough sleeping and homeless. Steve enjoyed meeting staff [...]
Mayor visit to HealthBus
HealthBus Medical Director, Maggie Kirk welcomed Cllr David Kelsey, the Mayor of Bournemouth, to the HealthBus today. Cllr Kelsey not only met with the team and patients but wanted to know more about the charities objectives and key goals. . [...]
New mobile clinic launched today
Our new mobile clinic was launched today! It will enable the HealthBus Trust to deliver healthcare at the point of need to people experiencing homelessness. The new purpose-built vehicle with two well equipped consultation rooms is the result of months [...]
Vaccination day for homeless in Bournemouth
What a day! A huge effort to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to people experiencing homelessness resulted in around 200 receiving the vaccine at a special pop-up clinic at the Bournemouth YMCA today. Everyone vaccinated is homeless, rough sleeping or has [...]
‘Bags of Hope’ for homeless this Christmas
As Christmas approaches, rough sleepers in the Bournemouth area are receiving bags of treats and necessities. The goodie bags are being handed out to those attending HealthBus clinics. The idea for Bags of Hope comes from Reg Chapman, a retired [...]
HealthBus Trust hits fundraising target for new mobile clinic
We have reached our fundraising target of £60,000! This means we can now purchase a brand-new vehicle to give rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness access to healthcare and other support services through a mobile drop-in clinic. Our HealthBus Team [...]
The HealthBus Trust successfully navigates turbulent first year as a charity
We've encountered unprecedented challenges and successes in our first year as a registered charity! Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we've not only faced unforeseen challenges in providing our mobile drop-in clinic for rough sleepers in the Bournemouth area, but also [...]
COVID-19 Heroes:
Thank you to everyone who took part in our ‘Covid-19 Heroes Campaign’. Amazingly, over 70 creative Covid-19 Heroes responded to our appeal to cut out and decorate a HealthBus Badge in such artistic ways! Thank you for sharing these amazing [...]
COVID-19 Outbreak
At the end of March 2020, the Trustees took to the difficult decision to suspend operations due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Sadly, we have not been able to have face to face contact with our homeless and rough sleeping patients. [...]
Fundraising launch party
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our launch event on 30 January. We raised nearly £4,000 (without including Gift Aid)! Since becoming a registered charity at the end of last year, we can now start fundraising and applying [...]
DONATE HERE
–
Thank you for your support.
Without a permanent home, it can be difficult to access healthcare for many reasons. The HealthBus team offer specialist GP and medical services at the point of need. They work in partnership with other services providers, such as addiction and mental health specialists, to help people find the support they need to move on in life.
One rough sleeper, Dean, said of the HealthBus service: “No one sets out to be purposefully on the streets … sometimes you face situations which just leave you broken and desperate. After losing my job, home and key relationships my mental health deteriorated; and I resorted to harmful substances which drove me to the streets. After lots of encouragement from visiting health professionals, I have found hope and compassion from those involved with the HealthBus. This service is a lifeline! A much-needed refuge for those who are vulnerable. The staff and team involved with the HealthBus have saved and are saving lives … this work must continue!”
DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
HELP IS AVAILABLE…
EMERGENCIES: 999
GP SERVICES: please phone your own surgery or 111.
THE CRESCENT PROVIDENCE SURGERY: on 01202 395195 is open 7 days a
week from 8am – 6 pm during April for anyone registered via the
HealthBus. Out of hours please call 111.
HOMELESSNESS NURSE: Chrissie Croucher on 07342 063741
Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12.30pm
HOMELESS MENTAL HEALTH: Angie Mc Hale on 01202 584412
GENERAL SUPPORT: BCP Council “Together We Can” for general support on
0300 123 7052 (8am – 8pm).