Groundswell, a charity dedicated to tackling health inequality, has launched a campaign to address the stark reality that the average life expectancy for a person experiencing homelessness is just 44. This is often due to manageable long-term conditions, such as diabetes. In honor of Diabetes Awareness Week, which runs from June 10th-16th, the charity is working to raise awareness and provide support for those living with diabetes, regardless of their circumstances.
To mark the launch of the campaign, Groundswell has hosted a conversation between Game of Thrones actor Gethin Anthony and Homeless Health Caseworker Mark Leonard. The two discuss the intersection of homelessness and health, sharing their personal experiences with diabetes.
According to recent statistics, more than one in five people experiencing homelessness live with diabetes, often without adequate support or access to healthcare services. Groundswell’s campaign aims to address this issue and provide necessary support for those living with diabetes.
Mark Leonard, who works as part of Groundswell’s Homeless Health Peer Advocacy (HHPA) team, shared a heartwarming story of how their services were able to help a man with type 1 diabetes who had been rough sleeping and storing his insulin in a local canal to keep it cold. With the support of Groundswell, the man was able to secure housing and now has access to a fridge to store his insulin. The HHPA team works to connect people experiencing homelessness with necessary healthcare services, including registering them with a GP, attending appointments with them, and referring them to other resources.
In the past year alone, the HHPA team in London has supported over 500 people experiencing homelessness in managing their health, helped them attend over 2,300 vital health appointments, and held over 280 health events at hostels and day centres.
Actor Gethin Anthony, who serves as an ambassador for Groundswell, emphasized the importance of their work, stating that managing diabetes is already difficult, but becomes even more challenging when someone is experiencing homelessness. He urged people to make donations to support the incredible work that Groundswell does in saving and changing lives.
Michael Chandler, CEO of Groundswell, stressed the importance of this campaign and the need to reverse the trend of people experiencing homelessness dying from manageable long-term conditions like diabetes. He stated, “Everyone has the right to good health,” and it is essential to ensure that those experiencing homelessness are able to access the life-saving healthcare they need.
To donate to Groundswell’s campaign, visit their website at https://bit.ly/4aRAKDn. The charity’s efforts are distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
