V-I-A / Fusion: Harm Reduction Advice
The Health Bus has been instrumental in facilitating outreach sessions at Gants Hill and a huge success with regards to the level of engagement that has taken place with local residents, young people and vulnerable adults. These sessions have enabled us to promote the support of the services and to provide harm reduction advice.
Collectively, Via Staff have provided onsite support in the following areas:
- Trained and handed out naloxone kits
- Signed up young people and vulnerable adults to the C-Card registration scheme (Bewize)
- STI screening kits have been available for collection
- Access to condom contraception and sexual health advice and information
- Engagement with active service users
- Engagement with rough sleepers – signposting and referring to SHP and the Welcome Centre for further support
- On foot outreach - covering several hot spot areas in and around the ward (left service cards and other resources of support)
- Engagement with several groups of families and young people
- Gained useful intel regarding areas of need
- Providing information leaflets, cards, useful contacts
In addition, Via Redbridge Young People's Service and Stop Smoking Service attended this year's Disability Awareness Festival on 9th Aug (see photo's attached) to promote health and wellbeing and to support the theme of #ThisAbility. This was an opportunity for us to share the work we do with professionals, local residents, young people and families who are passionately interested in finding out what support is available to them in Redbridge.
To find out more about v-i-a and their outreach services, contact Helen O'Connor.
