Physical Health

Homelessness, especially rough sleeping, takes a severe toll on people’s physical health. And it can have a long-lasting impact.

When you’re living on the streets, you’re always at the mercy of the elements. You’re cold and wet in the winter, dehydrated and possibly sunburnt in the summer, you’re always tired because it’s too dangerous to sleep, you’re hungry, you wish you could have a wash and get clean, you’re lonely. You’re struggling, and you’re in survival mode. Living in these circumstances would make anyone more vulnerable to illness and chronic conditions.

The average age of death for someone sleeping rough is just 45 for men and 43 for women, compared to a national average of 79 for men and 83 for women.

But for people experiencing homelessness, accessing healthcare – even organising a visit to the GP – can be incredibly challenging. In the worst cases, treatable conditions go undiagnosed and untreated for so long that they can become life-threatening. Tragically, this can lead to preventable deaths.

That’s why we place physical health at the heart of our work.

Our approach to physical health

Our specialist health teams work closely with our clients staying in our hostels from day one. We look after every aspect of their physical health – from dental and podiatry to life-threatening conditions. We ensure everyone gets the diagnosis and treatment they need to live a healthier, more fulfilling life.

We help Londoners with physical health needs by:

• Creating clinical spaces within our hostels: We provide safe, familiar spaces where residents can meet with consistent clinicians, helping to build trust and ensure regular, reliable care.
• Improving healthcare access: By partnering with NHS services and community health organisations, we’ve built a network of trusted partners, making it easier for people to get the care they need.
• Starting with lower-level healthcare services: Offering dental and podiatry services first helps residents feel more comfortable, opening the door to addressing more severe health concerns. 
• Providing 1-2-1 wraparound support: From the first conversation to completing treatment, our teams are there every step of the way—accompanying clients to appointments, making phone calls, and advocating to ensure they receive the care they need.

Your health suffers while on the streets. When you're walking about all day with a rucksack on your back, you could be covering about 15 or 16 miles a day to find food, drink, and washing facilities. You're always on your feet.

We also engage clients in initiatives like our Sports Project, which has a huge success rate in improving physical health and general well-being.

Dignified dying

Unfortunately, better engagement with health services and diagnosis sometimes brings difficult news. Some of the Londoners we support receive a terminal illness diagnosis.

In these moments, when treatment is no longer an option, we make sure that each person experiences the most dignified end of life possible. We place their wishes and needs at the centre of every decision, providing compassionate support during this deeply personal journey.