Late-Night Clinic Supports Vulnerable People in Wirral
The Health Huddle is helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community access the sexual health care and support they need — when they need it most.
The Health Huddle is a late-night women’s only drop-in clinic designed specifically for people affected by sexual violence, those at risk of sex work, and individuals currently working in the sex industry. Open every Tuesday from 5PM to 8PM at the Market Wells hub, the clinic offers a safe, trauma-informed space where people can get confidential, compassionate help without judgment.
Working in partnership with the local police and specialist sexual violence services, the Health Huddle brings together a dedicated team of professionals and people with lived experience to offer practical and emotional support all under one roof.
Visitors can access a wide range of support, including:
- Smear testing in a trauma-sensitive setting
- Help from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)
- Sexual health screening and STI testing
- Pregnancy and COPD checks
- Wound care and harm reduction advice
- Counselling and emotional support
- Housing advice and emergency accommodation referrals
- Flu jabs, Hepatitis B vaccinations, and Take Home Naloxone
- Clothing, toiletries, and essential supplies
The clinic also provides one-to-one time with nurses, health care assistants, recovery support workers, housing specialists, and outreach teams — all working together to support people’s health, safety, and wellbeing.
Nicola Heywood, Project Manager, said:
“There was a clear gap in health services tailored for people facing stigma and sexual violence. Health Huddle was developed in direct response to that — it’s about meeting people where they’re at, offering dignity, and helping them feel safe and supported.”
The service is already making a difference. Over just three months, it supported over 50 visits and provided dozens of screenings and health reviews. And with evening opening hours and a welcoming, relaxed environment, more people are finding it easier to ask for help.
The Health Huddle is run by Wirral Ways in collaboration with the NHS Trust, local housing providers, sexual violence services, and Merseyside Police, with funding from the Violence Reduction Unit.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, you can drop in every Tuesday between 5PM and 8PM at our Market Street Hub in Birkenhead. No appointment is needed.
