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Servants Health Centre is Dunedin's only free health Centre and it is there simply because it is needed.
Users of the Centre include the homeless, the mentally ill, people with drug dependency, prisoners who have been released, people who've lost their jobs and also people who are employed but are still unable to meet the added high cost of healthcare.
Servants Health Centre operates because of volunteers with big hearts who actually care for the patients using the service. They were runners up for the Health and Wellbeing awards 2016. 6000 free consultations are provided annually and people who need it are offered 10 free counseling sessions.
Beth told us the success story of Miles who used the Servants Health Centre. Miles lost his job and flat after the Christchurch earthquake and moved down to Dunedin where there was no work, he didn't know anybody and required medication. He was able to utilize the Centre and got back on his feet. He has since moved back to Christchurch and is now in a supervisory position up there.
The aim is to help more people like Miles. Ways people can do this are by:
volunteering – They need doctors, GP's, nurses, counselors or anybody who thinks they have something to offer.
Spreading awareness – You can join the Servants Health Centre mailing list here www.shc.org.nz
Donating
The Centre works because they have a strong team of people, including Beth and Adrian behind it. They have compassionate nurses who have a strong connection to the patients and can also advise of other services when needed. They have the front line receptionists who are the first contact and provide a comfortable, friendly and non judgemental atmosphere. The Centre also has other personnel and financial backers along with a board of trustees who can offer their expertise and advice.
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