Street Side Medics – a sanctuary on wheels in the heart of Melbourne
- deansimpson7
- May 14
- 4 min read
Personal Reflection
BY LERISSE SMITH
It’s a profound experience to find hope and healing in the most unlikely of places. And when you do, you can’t help but be changed for the better.
That’s exactly what happened one overcast Thursday evening in Melbourne’s bustling CBD. Amidst the noise and neon, I headed down a quiet laneway to begin another story for the Salvos – only to experience a night far more powerful than I could have imagined.
I had come to join the Street Side Medics team, whose vision is to provide an exceptional standard of healthcare to the homeless community. And what I witnessed was nothing short of inspiring. A night that has stayed with me long after the lights dimmed.
The mobile medical van, its bright red and blue colours cutting through the city’s grey sky, parked in the perfect spot – a quiet alley directly opposite the entrance of The Salvation Army Project 614’s much-frequented Twilight Café, where its amazing team selflessly serves a huge number of people daily.
As the van doors swung open, people from all walks of life started to gather. Some just arrived, while others had patiently waited for the wheels to roll in.
It was quickly clear this wasn’t just another medical vehicle.
It was a sanctuary on wheels – a shining symbol of hope, healing and humanity. And what unfolded in the next few hours perfectly epitomised the words clearly printed on the side of the van: Helping those who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness.
A vibrant team of volunteer medical staff – comprising nurses, paramedics, medical students, and non-medical personnel – moved seamlessly between patients inside and outside the van. On offer? Warmth, grace and dignity. Leading from the front was a dedicated GP.
What struck me most wasn’t just their professionalism – it was their presence. Their friendly, approachable manner created a relaxed atmosphere, restoring dignity and reminding each patient that they were valued and mattered.
As I mingled with the team rostered that evening, Alex, Jeremy, Chris, Dimity, Dom, Sarah, Janelle, Bryce, Jeff, Jo, and Street Side Medics Victorian Manager Grant Fenton, I was immediately moved by how quickly they made me feel welcome – like I was part of something far bigger than myself.
As the clinic got underway, Alex rallied the team with a brief overview of the schedule before arranging seats outside for those who preferred to be seen on the street. A discreet blue curtain was then pulled across the van’s entrance for those who preferred privacy. Confidentiality assured.
The team’s energy? Infectious!
Janelle, Clinical Education and Onboarding Manager, emphasised that ‘everybody is a person’ and access to healthcare is a human right. Not having a fixed address should never be a barrier to accessing quality healthcare. Dom, another team member, jumped at the chance to volunteer to ‘bridge the gap’ for those struggling to access care, adding that wanting to ‘improve everyone’s life’ was a life goal for him.
“I think that a lot of our community members and clients that come through now probably consider the Street Side Medics team their regular GP.”
Their message was crystal clear: real change begins by showing up and caring, one person at a time.
And it’s working.
One lovely patient expressed her gratitude for the team being there for her at her time of need while she waited to be seen. Another gentleman stressed to me how impactful and important the medical service was to his local community, and being able to access free healthcare.
Inside the café, the atmosphere was equally moving.
Jesse Burns, Project 614’s Twilight Cafe and Outreach Coordinator, together with volunteer Mary and the rest of the dedicated team, served hot meals and warm smiles. Their passion for service and social inclusion was immediately evident.
There was no division between the medical and café teams – just unity. A shared mission of relationship-building, care and respect.
The café’s entry also serves as the ideal gateway to anyone with a healthcare need.
Operating morning, noon and night, Twilight welcomes hundreds of people from all walks of life, including those facing addiction, mental health challenges and homelessness.
“They (the Street Side Medics team) have built great relationships with a lot of them,” says Jesse, whose passion for his community shone through the night.
“I think that a lot of our community members and clients that come through now probably consider the Street Side Medics team their regular GP. So, that is great knowing that they can come here each week and have that service.”
As the evening drew to a close, I had not just seen the medical service in action. I had witnessed humanity at its best.
Street Side Medics isn’t just filling a gap in the system; it’s reshaping it. Rewriting what care can and should look like for those too often overlooked.
With demand surging across cities and volunteers stepping up in record numbers, its impact is impossible to ignore. Amidst the noise of elections and promises, I can only hope that real funding flows toward vital services like this, which offer far more than just prescriptions and pills.
In a world too distracted to see those on the margins, Street Side Medics isn’t just admirable – it’s essential … and it is saving lives.
