Research Projects
1. Observations from the front lines of service provision for people experiencing homelessness during the first wave of Covid-19
Based on a six month ethnographic research project (funded by the UKRI) this report documents core findings from management, staff and residents of a service provider in the UK for people experiencing homelessness during the first wave of Covid-19 (spring and summer 2020). The report documents the overall increased burden of care, the specific impact on people with dual diagnoses and the struggles of support organisations to quickly adapt. It was prepared by Dr Johannes Lenhard and Eana Meng, co-founders of CHIRN and research associate and assistant at the Max Planck Cambridge Centre for Ethics, Economy and Social Change.
Time: April 2020 - December 2020
Researchers: Dr Johannes Lenhard (PI), Eana Meng (research fellow)
Funding: UKRI Covid-response grant, Cambridge Impact grant
2. Modular Homes (research led by CHHPR)
In the first scheme of its kind in England, six modular homes have been installed on a temporary site in Cambridge to house six local people experiencing homelessness. The project is a collaboration between social enterprises Allia and New Meaning, and Jimmy’s Cambridge, a charity which provides emergency help, support and accommodation to people who have been rough sleeping in Cambridge. Being such a new and innovative project, Jimmy’s and CCHPR (led by Gemma Burgess) decided to collaborate, on an independent analysis of the impact of the project. Over the last two years Jimmy’s has expanded the project across 4 different sites, in collaboration with Hill Homes and Cambridge City Council. Phase 2 of the project, supported by CAPE and the Peter Sowersby Foundation, is led by Dr Katayoun Karampour (RA at CHHPR), analysing in a comparative way how well modular homes work for people experiencing homelessness. .
In addition to an article on the University of Cambridge main website, the modular units have been widely covered in the media, including by the World Economic Forum, the Times and ITV.
Time: December 2019 - December 2022
Researchers: Phase 1: Dr Gemma Burgess (PI), Dr Johannes Lenhard (PI), Dr Richmond Ehwi, Eana Meng, Dr Kwadwo Oti-Sarpong. Phase 2: Dr Gemma Burgess (PI), Dr Johannes Lenhard (PI) and Dr Katayoun Karampour, with support from Alice Draisey at Jimmy’s Cambridge.
Funding: Phase 1 was unfunded, Phase 2 is part funded by a CAPE grant and Peter Sowersby Foundation grant to Jimmy’s Cambridge.
Report 1: Preliminary Findings (August 2020)
Report 2: Final report: Modular homes for people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge: resident experiences
Report 3: Comparative Findings (March 2023)
Presentation (Video)
Presentation (Slides)
Research paper: forthcoming
3. Video consulting - a way of increasing (digital) access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness during Covid-19?
While the number of people sleeping rough was reduced drastically through immediate government support during the first phase of Covid-19,the pandemic brought additional pressure onto the system of support services, particularly when it comes to healthcare. In this report, we are assessing an experimental project in Cambridge (conducted in Spring 2021) using digital means (video or mobile consultation) to increase access to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness. Our observations were very encouraging, overall. Video consultations promise to be a valuable asset to improve access and engagement with healthcare services (e.g. reduction in “Did not Attend” rates) for people experiencing homelessness; they also tend to be superior to telephone consultations for rapport building and communication. Moreover, video consultations might be particularly beneficial for patients with mobility issues and those with depression or anxiety (e.g. by allowing consultations in a familiar and safe environment). However, our initial assessment indicated that the success of this service is heavily reliant on three main factors: an adequate technological environment, adequate infrastructure and the availability of support staff when required. Most importantly video consultations should be offered as an additional pathway to healthcare adding to the portfolio of current services rather than replacing existing practices.
Time: December 2020 - June 2022
Researchers: Meg Margetts, Dr Johannes Lenhard
Project partners: Cambridge Access Surgery
Funding: Cambridgeshire City Council (for equipment)
Research paper: forthcoming
4. Designing mental health support for people experiencing homelessness
In 2021, Jimmy’s Cambridge launched a new service to their residents who were in need of mental health support, and wanted an independent review to ensure the needs of people were being met in the best way. In an 8 month assessment, conducted by Dr Johannes Lenhard (PI) together with Meg Margetts (Principal Researcher), we tried to understand the design of this new service, the impact on the beneficiaries, and therefore how best to provide this service going forward. Through both ethnographic participation and stakeholder interviews, the goal is to influence the daily practices of healthcare provision including an updated set of recommendations.
Time: May 2021 - August 2022
Researchers: Meg Margetts (Lead Researcher), Dr Johannes Lenhard (PI)
Project partners: Jimmy’s Cambridge
Funding: Jimmy’s Cambridge
Report: forthcoming
Presentation: forthcoming
5. Mapping barriers to healthcare access for people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge
People experiencing homelessness are suffering over-proportionally from health issues leading to substantially reduced life expectancy. In this long-term ethnographic research project in Cambridge, we are mapping barriers to access healthcare for people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge. We ask: which kinds of healthcare can people experiencing homelessness not access? Why? Which groups are particularly affected?
We interviewed and shadowed a large variety of stakeholders (service providers, healthcare professionals, policy makers) and people experiencing homelessness and with lived experience to capture their experiences. Our observations range from primary and secondary healthcare to a particular focus on substance use, mental health, dentistry and palliative care; we also conducted a deep dive on the experiences of women who are homeless.
While the Cambridge healthcare system is overall well-positioned to support people experiencing homelessness, significant barriers especially for people with dual diagnosis and complex needs are discernible; mental health support, dentistry and palliative care are also especially hard to access. We hope to continue this research and its dissemination to work towards meaningful change in these areas.
Time: May 2022- March 2023
Researchers: Meg Margetts (Lead RA), Amie Varney (RA), Jack Lund (RA), Dr Johannes Lenhard (PI), Dr Gemma Burgess (PI)
Project partners: Cambridge Access Surgery (Lead: Damita Abayaratne)
Funding: NIHR (for Phase 2 of the research), King’s College Cambridge (summer internship for Jack Lund), Cambridge University Impact Grant (for the illustration / map)
Presentation: Slides and Video
6. Supervising medical students
Since mid-2022, CHIRN members have been involved in supervising medical students (from Imperial, UCL and Cambridge) both as part of their SSC and general placements. The academic members of CHIRN are involved in the service development part of medical student placements and student research projects. The four week placements are accompanied by weekly supervisions to enhance and contextualise the academic development of the students; all students contribute in turn directly to CHIRN’s ongoing projects. Furthermore, we are running a first series of workshops in H1 2023 to help students understand research methods better.
Time: October 2022 onward
Researchers: Dr Johannes Lenhard (PI)
Project partners: Cambridge Access Surgery
Report: forthcoming
Presentation: forthcoming
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