Martin Burrows

Martin Burrows (Project Manager): Martin oversees Groundswell’s Insight and Action work and the day-to-day operations of the organisation. He joined Groundswell in April 2014 so he could follow his passion for peer–research and participatory practice. Previously Martin has worked for various homelessness organisations, at home and abroad, including Crisis, Broadway, Homeless Link and Casa Ioana (Bucharest). Martin firmly believes that the only way to tackle homelessness is through involving people who have experience of homelessness in finding solutions.

Rob Edgar

Rob Edgar (Project Worker): Rob joined the Groundswell staff team in April 2016 with the mission to promote greater involvement of people who have personal experience of homelessness in Groundswell and other organizations who deliver support services. He is the lead Peer-Researcher on a number of Research projects; aiming to give voice to people who face inequalities. Before becoming a Project Worker with Groundswell Rob was a volunteer Homeless Health peer Advocate, supporting homeless people to attend physical health appointments and address their health needs.

Key note: Abstract

Peer Support as a method for overcoming Health Inequality.

Groundswell has been delivering their award winning homeless health peer Advocacy Service for 6 years, supporting homeless people to address their health needs. Key to the programme's success is the Peer-led approach where the service is delivered by people who have personal experience of homelessness themselves. Not only has it been demonstrated that the programme has a positive impact on the health and confidence for the people that we work with but it saves money for the NHS and the state. Groundswell are currently developing the model to meet the needs of people who have mental health support needs - supporting people to overcome the barriers they face to accessing support. The presentation will discuss the development of the HHPA programme, how it can be adapted to meeting needs beyond physical health, and the issues we have faced in developing the service.