Hygiene Bag Boost for Birmingham Homeless
150 patients accessing the BCHC Dental Service for Homeless Adults in Birmingham will receive a hygiene bag thanks to an initiative from Dental Nurse Kelly Brown and funding from BCHC Charity.
The BCHC Dental Service for Homeless Adults was established in 2012, and has since run clinics every Thursday afternoon from Attwood Green Health Centre. Prior to the pandemic, the service would see around 260 people per year, and the team are now working closely with local homeless charities to support and encourage more referrals to the service.
Kelly approached the charity to discuss funding the project; “I have worked with the homeless dental service for many years. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has had a terrible impact on these vulnerable adults, and we wanted to spread a little joy.” The team came up with the idea of providing bags containing hygiene items for service users to help promote dental and general hygiene and wellbeing, as well as providing a morale boost for a very vulnerable group. The reusable drawstring bags contain a toothbrush and toothpaste, disposable face mask, face wipes and a cereal bar; items which these patients may not otherwise have regular access to.
The project was launched at a dental screening clinic hosted by SIFA Fireside on Thursday 23rd September, where BCHC staff Eram Rabani (Special Care Clinician) and Kelly Brown carried out the first homeless service screening since the pandemic began. The team were warmly welcomed back by SIFA Fireside staff and service users alike, and the hygiene bags were very gratefully received.
Ten of the bags were given out at the screening, and the remaining bags will be offered to patients attending the weekly screenings over the coming months to ensure that as many people benefit from the initiative to promote the importance of dental care as possible.