Totally Wicked’s ethos is ’empowering smokers to transform their lives’, and one of the many ways we do this is by working in partnership with various local councils and Stop Smoking Services to combine the power of vaping with the great work these organisations undertake. This allows us to help even the most hardened, and most vulnerable smokers make the life-changing switch from smoking to vaping.
Roughly 85% of the UK’s homeless population are smokers. With COVID-19 being a respiratory illness, this is a real concern for Public Health and local authorities around the country. Since April 2020 when COVID-19 really started to rear its head, Totally Wicked has successfully partnered with councils, Health & Social groups and COVID-19 response teams all across England.
Stop smoking Manchester
In Manchester, our goal was to provide a safer alternative to smoking to vulnerable groups such as homeless rough sleepers as they moved into temporary accommodation. To date, we have helped to support 1300 vulnerable individuals across the Greater Manchester area. This project was very much focused on harm reduction for their most vulnerable citizens, and has proved to be a welcome support with positive results.
Stop smoking Portsmouth
COVID-19 poses a huge risk to rough sleepers. Some are not only homeless but have other life challenges too, such as suffering from mental health issues or learning difficulties. The risk of contracting COVID-19 is high within these individuals and sharing cigarettes between one another is a potential transmission cause which we must try to negate. We are helping to support 136 individuals in Portsmouth, who have all received an e-cigarette of their own. This not only reduces the risk of harm from tobacco smoke, but should also help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within this group.
Stop smoking Birmingham
In Birmingham, we are currently assisting in local support for 170 vulnerable individuals, some with substance misuse addictions. Many of Birmingham’s most vulnerable groups are residing in hotels around the city, and are provided with e-cigarettes not only to support them while staying in “no smoking” accommodation, but for many to become smoke free and feel the benefit of their health improving.
Bath and North East Somerset
Totally Wicked has undertaken work in Bath and North East Somerset since February 2020, after introducing e-cigarettes to a Stop Smoking Service. After a short launch period, COVID-19 entered the UK and disrupted the services. It then became vital to provide focused support for the most vulnerable people in the community by providing homeless/rough sleepers with an e-cigarette while they are helped to stay off the streets. We are currently helping to support 125 people, 75 of whom are classed as vulnerable.
