Retired GP Dr Tim Foster is an ardent supporter of Homeopathy UK. Not only does he head up H-UK’s charitable clinic in Winchester free of charge, he also volunteers at Trinity Winchester – a day centre for the homeless and vulnerable – where he runs a homeopathy clinic. The joint H-UK and Trinity project – which started as a six week pilot in January 2022 – has gone from strength to strength and Tim is now a regular fixture at Trinity.
Tim’s patients mostly come through Trinity’s women’s group, a safe and supportive space for women, many of whom have experienced ill treatment at the hands of others.
“My women’s group patients are quite remarkable,” says Tim. “Trusting a practitioner with their story is courageous enough but even more so when it means opening up to someone outside the group.”
In addition to the effects of violence, Trinity patients are often managing other challenges – such as poverty, homelessness or insecure accommodation – which makes every aspect of their lives difficult. They are also much less likely to have a support network around them and may suffer from loneliness.
As with all forms of alternative medicine, patients often turn to homeopathy because they have not found an effective or acceptable conventional treatment. Thanks to its holistic, whole-person approach, homeopathy nearly always has something to offer.
Tim says: ‘I see a lot of patients with long-term health problems, such as chronic pain, musculoskeletal issues, anxiety or low-mood, sleep disturbance and difficulty with drug or alcohol misuse.”
“The remedies I use most frequently include Aconite, Arsenicum, Ignatia and Staphisagria. These are kindly provided by Freemans Homeopathic Pharmacy so I can dispense them directly to patients. This is especially important for people with insecure housing where posting remedies is obviously not an option.”
As well as patients from the women’s group, Tim’s clinic is open to all other Trinity users, plus staff and volunteers. Word has spread and Tim often has drop ins at the calming art room where he sees his patients.
Giving his time for free at this remarkable place has had quite an impact on Tim. “One of the great privileges of practice is hearing people’s stories and the Trinity patient stories are often extraordinary. At every clinic, I am reminded how harsh and unfair the world is for some people but also how courageous these people are in seeking help for themselves and their loved ones. I have learned that resilience takes many different aspects.”
“I’m so grateful for the way Trinity has welcomed me and the clinic. I really enjoy my time there and I love working in the art room. Whenever I come in, there is something amazingly creative on the table courtesy of the most recent art group!”
“The way Trinity and Homeopathy UK work together as parallel charities with different aims – but a shared ethos of care – is exceptional. Long may it continue.”
Hannah Scott, Trinity Operations Director, says: “We are so grateful to have the excellent provision of homeopathy from Dr Tim Foster and Homeopathy UK. We know that many of our clients suffer with chronic sleep deprivation and anxiety disorders and many of them have found the appointments and remedies so helpful, as well as the gentle manner in which they are treated.”
For more information about Trinity Winchester – or to make a donation – visit: www.trinitywinchester.org.uk
