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Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, Councillor Lorraine Dean, joined fellow councillors Councillor Caroline Sargent and Councillor Elizabeth Amos on a visit to Turning Point's Westminster drug and alcohol treatment hub for people experiencing homelessness, alongside its SASH (Support and Advice on Sexual Health) service on Wardour Street.
The visit provided an opportunity for councillors to meet service users, peer mentors and frontline staff, gaining first-hand insight into the challenges faced by some of Westminster's most vulnerable residents and the support available to help people rebuild their lives.
Supporting people experiencing homelessness and substance use challenges
Westminster has the highest number of people sleeping rough in the UK, making access to specialist support services more important than ever.
Turning Point's dedicated rough sleeping hub plays a crucial role in helping people who are experiencing homelessness and substance use challenges. Over the past year, the service worked with 1,685 people, with 439 receiving treatment for substance use.
The service also has a rich history within the community. Established in 1970, it is the oldest drug and alcohol treatment service of its kind in England.
A key strength of the service is its commitment to lived experience. Today, around one-third of staff members have their own experience of recovery from substance use, helping them connect with people accessing support in a meaningful and authentic way.
During the visit, councillors met Paul, a peer mentor who shared his recovery journey and the positive impact Turning Point's services have had on his life.
“The Get Connected Fitness Programme (run by Turning Point) was instrumental in my wellbeing,” said Paul.
“The non-judgemental, each to their own fitness ability, suited my situation. As well as the physical side, I realised that on a particular day, without the sessions, I would have not spoken to another person all day. From there, it was suggested I could take the peer mentor course. Completing the course gave me an insight into where I could be in the future, specifically using my life experience in drug and alcohol addiction.
“I am a peer mentor now and my goal is to be a peer support worker at Turning Point. Helping service users is another essential part of my own recovery.”
Paul's story highlights the value of peer-led support and the role recovery communities can play in helping people build confidence, connection and purpose.
Improving sexual health across Westminster
As part of the visit, councillors also met staff from Turning Point's SASH service, which supports people living and working in Westminster to improve their sexual health and wellbeing.
The service helps residents access prevention, screening and treatment services while providing information and support that enables people to make informed choices about their sexual health.
Over the last year, SASH has supported almost 5,000 Westminster residents.
The service works closely with a range of communities to tackle health inequalities and improve access to support, including people with learning disabilities, asylum seekers, sex workers and residents who are eligible for cervical screening but are not attending appointments.
SASH has also carried out targeted awareness work with Black communities, helping promote earlier conversations around prostate cancer and reducing the risk of late diagnosis.
Hearing directly from people using services
Following the visits, councillors took part in a roundtable discussion with staff, service users and peer mentors to explore the challenges facing local residents and discuss opportunities to further strengthen support across Westminster.
Councillor Lorraine Dean, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said:
“Visiting Turning Point and hearing directly from service users is a powerful reminder of the difference specialist drug and alcohol treatment can make to people’s health, well-being and recovery. I was so impressed by the dedication of the staff and partners, including the strong joint working with rough sleeping services, and their commitment to helping people rebuild their lives and access the right support at the right time”.
Mark Dronfield, Senior Operations Manager at Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea Drug & Alcohol Support, said:
“Our rough sleepers team supports local Westminster residents and people experiencing homelessness who are referred through Westminster City Council's commissioned housing provision. Where an individual does not have a local connection, we play an important role in the reconnection process, working closely with Westminster housing teams and the person's home borough to help them return to appropriate support networks and accommodation. This collaborative approach helps create sustainable pathways back to their home communities.”
Dahlia Ghassan, Care Co-ordination Manager and Safeguarding Lead at SASH, said:
“Our inclusive, non-judgemental and sex positive service provides person-centred support to residents with a variety of needs, including young people, reproductive health, sex workers, people living with HIV, people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity, global majorities and the LGBTQ+ community.”
Building healthier futures in Westminster
By bringing together specialist drug and alcohol treatment, homelessness support and sexual health services, Turning Point continues to support thousands of Westminster residents every year.
Visits such as this help shine a light on the importance of person-centred services, lived experience and partnership working in creating healthier, safer and more connected communities.