Chi Winder in Pool hosted local health organisations to mark World Hepatitis Day 2023.
The event was held for people within the community experiencing rough sleeping, homelessness, mental health, drug or alcohol issues. With 11 agencies attending, clients had the chance to access a range of services all in one place, including the Hepatitis C Trust who screened 35 people and provided further advice.
Hepatitis C is a concerning infection because of the long term damage it can cause to the liver, fundamental to human health as it performs over 500 vital functions every single day. Known as a silent infection, Hepatitis C symptoms only appear once the disease is advanced, but deaths are preventable because there is a cure. That makes testing at events like this all the more worthwhile.
Support workers and residents took part in an ice bucket challenge to promote screening. There was also a barbecue to give people time to sit and talk about the difference all the services attending could make.
Clients gave very positive feedback and said they had found it helpful to have easy access to so many health services. Those services said they had the chance to talk to people who could definitely benefit from a wide range of support and advice.
The free health check gave one customer the chance to hear for herself that she needed to see the doctor. The health professional managed to spot her high blood pressure which gave her a nudge to go to the doctor after putting it off for a while.
Once at the Doctor, it became apparent there was more to how poorly she was and she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, underactive thyroid, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which she knew nothing about.
She has since been able to seek treatment for everything and take relevant medication but, without the health check, it could have been a different story.
Thank you to all of the health agencies who attended to support the day and help so many people.
- Hepatitis C Trust - blood-borne virus support
- We Are With You - drug and alcohol support
- Smile Together - emergency dentistry
- Brook - sexual health
- Healthy Cornwall - body MOT
- Liver scanning - harm reduction support
- First Light - domestic and sexual violence
- Coastline Housing Inspiring Futures - education and training
- Man Down - male mental health support
- Penzance Women's Aid - female support service
- Cornwall Women's Centre - female support service
With support for the annual World Hepatitis Day continuing to grow, Coastline’s Homeless Service looks forward to holding a similar event next year.