Barnsley’s new outreach team steps out to raise awareness on World Homeless Day
Barnsley has launched a new team that brings together housing support, addiction services, and healthcare—all working together to help people who are rough sleeping, homeless, or part of underserved communities.
This team is called the ‘homeless and inclusion health outreach team’, and it’s a joint effort between South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, Barnsley Council and Barnsley Recovery Steps (a service supporting people of all ages who want to change their relationship with alcohol and other drugs).
They run a drop-in clinic every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm at the McLintocks Building in Barnsley. Anyone who needs help, whether it’s with housing, health, or addiction, can come along and speak to professionals from all three services in one place – no appointment is needed.
The outreach team combines the expertise of physical health professionals, housing officers and addiction specialists into one coordinated service. This approach will reduce duplication, speed up access to services and improve continuity of care for people with complex needs. The model is designed to tackle the full range of barriers, from securing safe accommodation to accessing treatment and primary care.
An awareness walk is scheduled to take place in Barnsley on Friday 10 October, coinciding with World Homeless Day, to highlight the value of joint working in tackling homelessness. All three organisations will come together for the walk along the Trans Pennine Way, starting from Wellington House at 8am in Barnsley town centre and ending in Penistone – anyone is welcome to join.
Nicola Wroe, team leader for the health inclusion team/Barnsley and Wakefield TB services at South West Yorkshire Partnership Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is more than a walk. It’s a statement about how local services can work together to meet people’s complex needs quickly and compassionately. By combining expertise in housing, addictions, and health, we remove barriers and bring practical help directly to people who need it most.”
Cllr Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said: “The new outreach team is a brilliant example of what can happen when services work together. By combining housing, healthcare and addiction support, we’re making it easier for people to get the help they need, all in one place. The weekly drop-in clinic is already making a difference, and we want more people to know it’s there. That’s why we’re taking part in a charity walk on World Homeless Day, to raise awareness and show that support is available for anyone who needs it.”
‘‘The organisers say the event is not just about raising awareness, it’s also about showing people how they can get help, making it easier for services to work together, and encouraging anyone who’s homeless or sleeping rough to come forward and ask for support.’’
