Smiths helps St Mungo's make London's homeless healthier13/11/2006

Smiths helps St Mungo's make London's homeless healthier

13/11/2006

SMITHS Group, the global technology business, today announced that it is funding a new Health Manager for St Mungo's as part of an initiative to make London’s homeless healthier.

St Mungo's, London’s leading homeless charity, provides practical support for thousands of homeless and vulnerable people each year by helping them find a place to live; develop their skills through education and training programmes; build positive relationships with other people and improve their mental and physical health.

The new Health Manager, who will work across the London boroughs, will train staff on key health issues and build strong relationships with local health authorities to help the charity’s 1,700 residents gain access to vital health services from GPs, hospitals and statutory services.

This training will enable staff to recognise symptoms of serious conditions and will also include awareness of healthy eating, sexual health and access to exercise for all residents.

The cooperation between St Mungo’s and Smiths was launched formally on Thursday 9th November at the Endell Street Hostel in Covent Garden. Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive of Smiths Group, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to contribute towards such an important initiative in our community.”

Homeless people can suffer from poor health due to sleeping rough but are often unable to obtain the health care services they need due to social exclusion.

Kate Whalley, the new Health Manager for St Mungo's, said: “This crucial support from Smiths will enable us to train all our staff about all of these key health issues and help our clients to get the help they need. Given the seriousness of some residents’ health conditions, this work could save around 100 lives each year.”

Smiths is also investigating employee volunteering opportunities with St Mungo’s to benefit both the charity and Smiths people, who can build their skills whilst giving something back to their local community.

ENDS

About St Mungo's

St Mungo's is London’s leading homeless charity, opening doors for thousands of homeless people each year.
Around 88% of their clients have two or more medical support needs. St Mungo's provides specialist help to address the complex physical and mental health problems that many of their most vulnerable clients face. Last year, the charity supported 800 people with their mental health issues, and referred 600 people into rehabilitation and prescribing services. Health clinics are based within several of their larger hostels, which have visiting nursing, dentistry and chiropody services.

Smiths Group

Smiths seeks to contribute to the communities in which it operates by participation in, and support for, community and charitable initiatives. Smiths is a global technology business, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Smiths Group is a world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies. Our products and services make the world safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group has four divisions: Aerospace, Detection, Medical and Specialty. It employs 32,000 people and has over 250 major facilities in 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths-group.com

Media contacts:

St Mungo's
Lucy Whitford
+44 (0)777 070 4529

Smiths Group
Chris Fox
+44 (0)20 8457 8403