Rough sleeping service changing lives in Wandsworth
Wandsworth Council says that it has made great progress making tangible change to the lives of some of its most vulnerable residents thanks to a new service targeted specifically at rough sleepers. The Driving for Change bus is an innovative service that offers a range of services, including a mobile dentist, testing and vaccinations, and access to various advisors. The bus also provides useful products, such as toothpaste and soap, as well as mobile phone charging and haircuts.
It was initially trialled for six months and, after a successful pilot, the contract for the service has been renewed for a further six months. Since the launch, the bus has had one of the most successful uptakes London, averaging around 8 guests per day with almost 100 dental visits.
The borough recently held an event to celebrate the work the Driving for Change bus has been doing for rough sleepers, which was attended by Mayor Sana Jafri and Cabinet Member for Housing, Aydin Dikerdem.
“Engaging with rough sleepers can be a challenging process for a number of reasons,” Councillor Dikerdem said. “The Driving for Change bus is offering essential services that enables us to create a relationship with people that may not have wanted to engage with us before. This is a vital piece of work that helps us to create a fairer and more compassionate borough for all.”
One service user, ‘Steve’ (not their real name) approached the bus presenting with a skin rash and issues with his gums. As he was homeless and without a GP, he was unable to get a prescription. He had been street homeless for over nine months after being evicted by the police from a property they were subletting. He has also been struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.
Steve was introduced to the drug support worker at the bus, and an appointment was arranged for him to meet with a worker at SPEAR. He also consulted with a dental nurse and received information about a barista training program.
The Driving for Change bus gave ‘Steve’ the opportunity to address ongoing issues and he was ultimately able to move out of London to be closer to family and prioritise his recovery.
