Oldham's Homeless-Friendly team are making their mark this Christmas

A service whose mission is to ensure people who are homeless receive top healthcare will have its good name beamed onto millions of screens on Christmas Day.

Created by Oldham medic Dr Zahid Chauhan, Homeless-Friendly was founded after rough sleepers reported they were being turned away from surgeries because of a lack of permanent address.

Responsible for changing those attitudes and making hospitals, practices, walk-in centres and even cafes hubs of homeless care, the programme’s moniker will be emblazoned on a banner at Oldham Parish Church during BBC1’s Christmas Day Service (10am).

“We chose the name Homeless-Friendly because we wanted to create nothing short of a cultural change in how people view those without a permanent home,” said Dr Chauhan. 

“Those who are sleeping rough, sofa-surfing or living in temporary accommodation are a part of our community, albeit one who is sometimes vulnerable and needs lifting up.

"The banner shows them that the NHS and our borough are positive about homeless people.”

Launched by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Homeless-Friendly has attracted a staggering amount of partners in a relatively short period of time.

It has also made many friends, supporters and allies such as the Oldham Street Angels and social enterprise, IfOldham.

The Revd Canon Jean Hurlston, coordinator of the Oldham Street Angels, added: “Homelessness is a complex problem often rooted in other issues such as poor mental health and family breakdown.

"Only by coming together as a community can we solve it – and that includes faith groups, the health service and individuals.

"Through Homeless-Friendly, Oldham and other Greater Manchester communities have begun to do that, and I am so pleased our shining light will be highlighted to so many this Christmas.” 

Concluded Dr Chauhan: “Like any successful programme, Homeless-Friendly has grown expedientially through its practical work.

"But the Christmas Day banner could mean more people know about it and pledge to offer homeless people with often desperate mental, dental and physical health problems the safe, quality treatment the rest of us receive.

"The average life expectancy of a rough sleeper is just 47 years-of-age.

"If we could reach healthcarers and improve the longevity and quality of people’s lives what a Christmas gift that would be!”

Homeless-Friendly invites organisations to pledge to examine their policies and procedures and ensure that they cater for the needs of rough sleepers, sofa surfers or anyone without a fixed abode.

Partners already in the programme include restaurants, councils, hospitals, GP surgeries, out-of-hours emergency services (including Master Call and BARDOC) and women’s charities.

To pledge to be Homeless-Friendly visit: www.homelessfriendly.co.uk or email: gail.sutcliffe1@nhs.net

The Homeless-Friendly team has donated free items of clothing, hygiene and sanitary products and food to the Oldham Street Angels project this Christmas. 

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