Last Hope Central Redcar: Meeting People Where They Are
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In just two hours, we completed 35 blood pressure checks — and the results were stark:
- 28 people had elevated readings
- 5 people had dangerously high readings
- Only 2 people were within a healthy range
Many of those we met weren’t even registered with a GP.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
Lives Behind the Data
We spoke to people recently released from prison, now living in tents. One person using crutches struggled to carry food because they didn’t own a rucksack. These are the kinds of barriers that rarely show up in data dashboards yet shape every aspect of someone’s daily life.
Jade, who runs the Last Hope Group, welcomed everyone with compassion and dignity — even those who arrived after food had been served. There was no judgement. No barriers. Just warmth, acceptance and safety.
What struck us most was this: people who would never walk into a clinic were eager to have their blood pressure checked in a place they trust.
It’s a powerful reminder that traditional healthcare models are not reaching the people who need them most. Services must adapt — not the other way around.
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What Support Is Needed Most?
When we asked Jade about the biggest gaps, her answer was clear:
- Addiction services
- Mental health support
- Dentistry
These are not optional extras. They are essential services — and they must be delivered in the spaces where people feel safe, respected and seen.
This Is the Together Connect Model in Action
Our visit to Last Hope is a perfect example of the Together Connect Model in practice. Jade will now join the network — but this is just the beginning.
With our unique connections, influence and partnerships, we are in a position to help make Jade’s wish list a reality. To bring services to people, not expect people to come to services.
Listening to Communities Across Redcar & Cleveland
During our visit, we also met a couple who run a community shop in Lazenby Village. They regularly support 30 or more families — many in work, yet still unable to afford basic food. The pressures of school holidays increase that strain even further, affecting both mental and physical wellbeing.
We will be planning enhanced engagement and healthy heart checks in Lazenby soon.
We also heard about the wider network of support emerging locally:
- A pre‑recovery group opening soon in South Bank
- A weekly recovery drop‑in in central Redcar
- A women’s-only recovery group in East Cleveland
We will follow up with each of these venues as we continue to grow the Together Connect network and widen the net of support.
Where We Go From Here
This visit was more than an outreach session — it was a wake‑up call and a reminder of why this work matters. Tackling health inequalities starts with showing up:
in the right places, with the right people, with open minds.
We will continue to listen, connect and act — and ensure that people who are too often overlooked are finally seen, heard and supported.
