A NEW pilot scheme is bringing vital health and wellbeing services directly into the heart of the community.
Locala Health & Wellbeing and WithYou in Wigan and Leigh have partnered to offer free and confidential sexual health and drug and alcohol support from a mobile clinic in Golborne.
The ‘Clinic in a Van’ will visit the Queen Street car park on September 22 and October 20 from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
John Settle, harm reduction lead for the service, said: "We want to make accessing help as easy as possible.
"By partnering with Locala and being physically present in the local community, we can support people who might find it difficult to go into our services in Wigan and Leigh – whether that’s because they don’t have transport, they’ve got kids or elderly relatives to look after, or because they’re worried about people seeing them go into a drug and alcohol service.
"With the Clinic in a Van, there’s no need for an appointment.
"You just have to turn up."
Visitors can access sexual health and contraception services as well as drug and alcohol advice without an appointment or referral.
The scheme aims to break down barriers to support by meeting people where they are.
The organisations believe the informal, community-based setting will encourage more people to seek advice and get the help they need.
Joy Hewitson, medical director at Locala Health & Wellbeing, said: "Our Clinic in a Van is designed to bring free, confidential sexual health services closer to the communities we serve.
"By welcoming WithYou’s team alongside us for this pilot, local people will be able to access two complementary services in one convenient place.
"Whether someone needs sexual health support, wants to talk about their drug or alcohol use, or is simply looking for information, they can drop in without an appointment and have a confidential conversation with the appropriate team."
WithYou in Wigan and Leigh offers free, confidential drug and alcohol support to adults, young people, and families.
Services are available whether individuals want harm reduction advice, support to cut down, or help to stop using substances altogether.
The team works in partnership with BAC O’Connor to provide one-to-one sessions, community rehabilitation, and structured group programmes – all without judgement and without the need for a GP referral.
Further clinic dates will be shared on the official channels of Locala Sexual Health and WithYou.
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