New NHS Rough Sleeping Addiction Support Service Launches in Surrey
A New Lifeline on Surrey Streets
From the busy shopping precincts of Guildford High Street and Woking town centre to quiet suburban corners across Surrey, homelessness remains a visible issue. While many local homeowners focus on property upgrades—whether hiring Guilford builders or planning a loft conversion to expand family living space—a vital new health initiative is turning its attention to those without a roof over their heads. A dedicated NHS Rough Sleeping Service has officially launched across the county, bringing tailored addiction and health support directly to vulnerable residents living on the streets or facing acute housing instability.
Operated by i-access—a joint venture between Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the charity Via—the initiative shifts away from rigid clinic appointments. Instead, specialist outreach workers are meeting individuals where they are, whether sheltered in park alcoves or near town centres. Local community groups in places like Redhill and Epsom have welcomed the move, noting that traditional healthcare settings often present insurmountable barriers for rough sleepers suffering from severe addiction or trauma. By walking the pavement and building direct rapport, the team aims to restore trust and deliver compassionate, non-judgemental care directly to our county’s most isolated individuals.
Hands-On Medical Support and Community Partnerships
The service provides comprehensive clinical and practical assistance tailored to complex needs. Beyond immediate recovery support and opioid substitute treatments, outreach teams offer harm reduction tools such as needle exchanges, hepatitis B vaccinations, and hepatitis C testing. Recognising that health issues rarely occur in isolation, the project collaborates with Citizens Advice Bureau advisors to address underlying financial, legal, and housing challenges. Where appropriate, the team guides clients toward full detoxification and sustained long-term rehabilitation.
Katie Matthews, associate director of substance misuse services at the trust, stressed that offering flexible support on the doorstep is crucial for building lasting recovery. Her sentiment is echoed by Dr Jack Bedeman, Surrey County Council’s director of public health, who highlighted that rough sleepers face some of the poorest health outcomes in our region. This local drive aligns with a wider winter rough sleeping initiative, backed by central government funding designed to combine emergency accommodation with wrap-around medical care. For local businesses and charity volunteers who interact with vulnerable individuals daily, this integrated medical presence offers a much-needed frontline resource that addresses the root causes of chronic rough sleeping across Surrey neighbourhoods.
What Local Residents Should Know and How to Help
For Surrey residents, the launch of this service marks an important step toward healthier, safer communities. As residential property trends like a loft refurbishment or kitchen extension continue to reshape our neighbourhoods, this initiative ensures our town centres do not leave the most vulnerable behind. The service operates an open referral policy, allowing individuals to self-refer or be connected through local support agencies, social workers, and outreach officers with their consent.
Local residents can actively assist by staying informed and knowing how to act when they spot someone sleeping rough. If you see an individual in distress or sleeping outdoors during cold weather, reporting their location through the national StreetLink app or contacting local council outreach teams can connect them directly with this NHS service. Community members are also encouraged to support local food banks, day centres, and homeless shelters, which work alongside NHS teams to provide food, clothing, and warm spaces. As winter approaches, tracking the progress of these outreach teams will be vital to ensuring vulnerable neighbours receive both the shelter and medical treatment needed to rebuild their lives.
Source: NHS service launches for people in Surrey at risk of homelessness
