Today a few of us met at Joint President Christine’s house to pack the Christmas bags for the ladies who attend this Centre in Byker. The Centre is jointly run by Newcastle Gateshead CCG and Newcastle City Council. The Centre exists to ensure people who are experiencing homelessness, or are not registered with a GP, can have access to primary healthcare and support services.
The Joseph Cowen Health Centre provides a drop-in facility where visitors are able to access a variety of health and wellbeing services. The Centre offers a twice weekly GP service, a weekly Sexual Health Clinic which is run by Newcroft Centre staff, a harm reduction support service that includes Newcastle Treatment and Recovery (NTaR) advice and support, drop-in sessions twice weekly, and a needle exchange service five days a week. The centre also offers a safe space for homeless people who are engaging with health, housing and other services.
As you can see from the photographs,we enjoyed had a very enjoyable time and I think Daisy the dog had a great time supervising us.
And, the bags reach their final destination, kindly transported by our Programme Action Officer, Christine Lowthian.