Meet John and his little mate Roxy
Peninsula Health’s Homelessness Outreach service, the Mobile Integrated (MI) Health Program, is acting to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of those who are homeless or living in insecure accommodations.
This Homelessness week, we’re spotlighting MI Health client John, whose experience with homelessness has not only impacted his physical health but detrimentally affected his mental health and wellbeing.
“In the second year of living on the streets, I actually ended up in hospital quite crook from the stress and anxiety of having nowhere to go,” says John.
Reaching out for help, John was referred to the MI Health Program, where he received assistance through Care Finder, a Federal Government initiative that works to support vulnerable older people, 50 years and over, who cannot arrange services without intensive support.
Peninsula Health MI Health Program and Care Finder Team Leader, Michael Halpin worked alongside John, linking him with local community supports and resources.
“I supported him with visits to medical appointments, advocated for referrals to medical specialists and reviewed his Victoria Housing register application,” says Michael, “Once he received an offer of public housing, I assisted John through the whole sign up process and continued to work with him to establish secure housing.”
The program’s multifaceted approach has supplied John with an abundance of guidance and support, providing him with access to adequate housing and healthcare, improving his overall state of health and wellbeing both now and into the future.
Learn more about Peninsula Health’s Homelessness Outreach services and the Mobile Integrated Health Program here.