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Inclusion Healthcare Leicester · Leicestershire · Rutland
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The Inclusion Practice · Free NHS primary care ↗

Healthcare focussed on people experiencing Homelessness

Life on the street, in a hostel, or moving between friends' sofas takes a toll on your health, and healthcare is often the first thing that gets pushed aside when everything else feels urgent. The Inclusion Practice exists for exactly this. We weren't added onto a regular GP surgery as an afterthought; we were built specifically to reach people whose housing situation makes ordinary healthcare hard to access.

We've been caring for people experiencing homelessness in Leicester since before Inclusion Healthcare was formally established in 2010, and in that time we've supported around 18,000 patients. Appointments are GP and nurse-led, with support for mental health and substance use built in from the start, and no fixed address is ever needed to register.

We exist to support people like you.

18,000+Patients cared for since before 2010
No address neededRegistration never depends on where you sleep
GP & nurse ledCare built around your unique needs, led by our clinical team who are experts in supporting you overcome the health challenges associated with homeless living
Joined-upWorking with housing, mental health and substance use partners
Plan your journey here Visit the Inclusion Practice site ↗
What you get

A GP service built around people experiencing homelessness

Our team specialises in supporting people whose housing situation makes it harder to access healthcare in the usual way; so the service is designed around what that actually needs.

No fixed address needed

You can register and be seen here whether you're sleeping rough, in a hostel, sofa-surfing, or in temporary accommodation.

Free of charge

Every appointment and service is free at the point of use on the NHS; there's nothing to pay.

GP & nurse-led care

A team of GPs, nurses and healthcare assistants who understand the health impact of homelessness, from foot care to blood-borne viruses and substance use complications.

Joined-up with system partners

We work closely with housing services, outreach teams and organisations like Turning Point, so your care and your support don't happen in isolation.

In a genuine emergency

Primary Care is always your first stop for everyday health needs; but if a situation is dangerous or life-threatening, don't wait for a GP appointment.

999 Life-threatening emergency

Call 999 for an ambulance if someone's life is at risk; for example, severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, heavy bleeding, or loss of consciousness.

111 Urgent, but not life-threatening

Call 111 (free, day or night) if you need urgent medical help or advice but it isn't a life-threatening emergency, and you can't wait for your GP.

Key things to remember

  • The Inclusion Practice is your local, everyday health team; no fixed address needed.
  • Always come here first, unless it is a dangerous emergency; then call 999.
  • For urgent help that can't wait for a GP appointment, call 111.
  • It is completely free and confidential. They are here to help you stay safe and well.
Our values

What guides how we work

Partnership

Working together to achieve more.

Working in partnership with people and organisations is one of Inclusion Healthcare's five core values.

Quality

Providing a safe, caring, responsive and excellent service.

Striving for quality is one of Inclusion Healthcare's five core values, providing a safe, caring, responsible and excellent service.

Efficiency

Being agile and flexible to support the best outcomes for those we serve.

Inclusion Healthcare places efficiency as one of its five core values, ensuring all resources and influence are maximised to improve outcomes for the people it serves.

Compassion

Putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, and feeling driven to help them.

Respect and compassion are core values of Inclusion Healthcare, with every person treated with kindness, consideration and empathy.

Respect

Accepting all people for who they are, and treating others as we'd want to be treated.

Respect and compassion are core values of Inclusion Healthcare, with every person treated with kindness, consideration and empathy.

“Everyone deserves good healthcare; especially when everything else in your life feels unstable.” Inclusion Healthcare, Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland
Since before 2010

A service shaped by real experience

The Inclusion Practice has provided GP and nurse-led primary care to people experiencing homelessness in Leicester since before Inclusion Healthcare was formally established in 2010. In that time we've cared for around 18,000 patients; many managing complex physical and mental health needs alongside the day-to-day reality of not having a stable place to live.

2010Inclusion Healthcare established, building on care that came before
18,000+Patients cared for over that time
FreeNo fixed address needed to register

Many of our patients are also managing the physical and mental effects of sustained homelessness, substance use, or past trauma; which is why mental health and substance use support sit alongside physical care here, not apart from it.

A patient's journey

What joined-up, judgement-free care can mean

Every patient's story is different. This one is offered as an illustration of the journey many go through.

Patient photo; to be added with the patient's consent
Life on the street

Sam* had been sleeping rough on and off for two years. Healthcare was always the thing that came last, after finding somewhere safe to sleep and something to eat.

Picked up on outreach

An outreach worker from the practice found Sam during a routine visit and offered a full health check there and then; no appointment, and no fixed address required.

Today

A complete assessment picked up several health issues that had gone unmanaged for years. The practice has stayed in close contact since, working alongside Turning Point on Sam's substance use and coordinating with housing outreach. Sam is still homeless, but says being listened to, and having care joined up instead of scattered across different services, has made all the difference.

“For the first time, it felt like the different bits of my life were talking to each other, instead of me having to explain everything from scratch every time.”

Sam*, Inclusion Practice patient

In their own words

More from our team

A few stories from the people who work here, in their own words.

GP pushing for greater understanding of vulnerable patients among medical students

Read more ↗

Trainee GP says Inclusion Healthcare has taught her the value of holistic care

Read more ↗

Inclusion Healthcare on the road: accelerating our immunisation programme

Read more ↗
Beyond healthcare

Other support you can get

Healthcare is only one part of what you might need. These independent organisations can help with housing, benefits, mental health, substance use, and everyday essentials.

These are external, independent organisations; we don't run them ourselves, and we can't guarantee their availability or advice. But they're well worth knowing about, and your Inclusion Practice team can help point you toward the right one if you're not sure where to start.
🏠

Housing & homelessness support

Leicester City Council – Housing Options

Local

The council's own housing options and homelessness prevention team; the first port of call if you're at risk of losing accommodation.

leicester.gov.uk ↗

One Roof Leicester

Local

Temporary accommodation and hands-on support for people experiencing homelessness across Leicester.

oneroof.org.uk ↗

The Bridge Homelessness to Hope

Local

A day centre offering food, advocacy and support to anyone experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, sofa-surfing or in emergency accommodation.

bridgeleicester.org ↗

YMCA Leicestershire

Local

Supported accommodation and housing pathways, with a particular focus on young people aged 16–25.

ymcaleics.org.uk ↗

Falcon Support Services

Regional

Housing support, community support and recovery services for homeless and vulnerable adults, based at the Falcon Centre in Loughborough.

falconsupportservices.org.uk ↗

The Dawn Centre

Local

Temporary accommodation with on-site housing, health and council support under one roof, at 34 Conduit Street, Leicester.

mychoice.leicester.gov.uk ↗

Shelter

National

Expert, independent advice on housing rights, evictions, and emergency help for rough sleeping, wherever you are in England, Scotland or Wales.

shelter.org.uk ↗

Crisis

National

A national charity for people experiencing homelessness, offering one-to-one support, education and help into housing.

crisis.org.uk ↗
🧠

Mental health & substance use

Turning Point Leicester

Local

Free, confidential support for drug and alcohol use, for anyone affected, including friends and family.

turning-point.co.uk ↗

Mind

National

Mental health information, support and a network of local Mind services across England and Wales.

mind.org.uk ↗

Samaritans

National

Free, confidential support any time, day or night, if you're struggling to cope. Call 116 123.

samaritans.org ↗

FRANK

National

Confidential, judgement-free advice on drugs and alcohol for anyone who needs it, including friends and family.

talktofrank.com ↗
🤝

Community, food & everyday essentials

Dear Albert

Local

A lived-experience recovery community, based at the Stairway Project, running a Sunday breakfast club and peer support for people affected by addiction.

thestairwayproject.co.uk ↗

Citizens Advice

National

Free, independent advice on benefits, debt, housing and legal issues.

citizensadvice.org.uk ↗
🩺

Healthcare access information

NHS Entitlements Guide

National

The official government resource outlining healthcare eligibility and exemption from costs for NHS prescriptions, dental checks, and secondary care treatments.

gov.uk ↗
📍

Worried about someone sleeping rough?

StreetLink

National

Connects people sleeping rough in England and Wales with local outreach services; anyone can make a referral.

streetlink.org.uk ↗
Getting started

How to register

You do not need a fixed address, ID, or proof of address before we are able to register you.

01

Get in touch

Call us on 0116 221 2780, visit inclusionpractice.co.uk, ask a support worker or outreach team to refer you, or simply walk in.

02

Tell us your situation

No fixed address, no ID, no problem; let us know what's going on and we'll work out the best way to register and support you.

03

Register with the practice

We'll take a few basic details. You don't need a permanent address; the practice's own address can be used where needed.

04

Book your first appointment

A longer welcome appointment with a clinician, covering both your physical and mental health.

Contact us

Speak to the team

Reach us by phone, in person, or ask a support worker or outreach team to refer you on your behalf.

Call us

0116 221 2780
Just ask for the Inclusion Practice.

Visit us

Charles Berry House, 45 East Bond Street, Leicester, LE1 4SX
Monday–Friday, 08:00–18:30 (excluding Bank Holidays)
Get directions ↗

Regional hub: Falcon Centre, 29 Pinfold Gate, Loughborough, LE11 1BE
Tuesdays 09:00–12:30, Thursdays 09:00–12:30 & 13:00–18:00
Get directions to the Falcon Centre ↗

Official site

The Inclusion Practice's official website has more information and further advice.
inclusionpractice.co.uk ↗

Getting here by bus

Charles Berry House is a short walk from Haymarket Bus Station; Leicester's main bus hub, served by dozens of routes into the city centre, including the 5, 6, 14, 18, 26, 29, 47 and X3, among many others.

Which bus is right for you depends on where you're travelling from, so the most reliable way to find your route and live times is the journey planner below; just enter your starting point.

Plan your journey by public transport

Regional hub: the Falcon Centre, Loughborough

Alongside Charles Berry House, we also run a regional outreach hub from the Falcon Centre, 29 Pinfold Gate, Loughborough, LE11 1BE, on Tuesdays (09:00–12:30) and Thursdays (09:00–12:30 & 13:00–18:00), for patients based in the north of Leicestershire.

The Falcon Centre is in Loughborough town centre, a short walk from Loughborough bus and rail stations, served by Kinchbus and Arriva routes. Enter your starting point in the journey planner below for the best route and live times.

Plan your journey to the Falcon Centre