A healthcare charity that works to support vulnerable people across the world has opened a clinic in Hackney.

Doctors of the World UK, a faction of the global Médecins du Monde network, delivers care to people in more than 70 countries affected by war, disease and life-threatening situations.

Its Hackney clinic, at St Paul’s Church, in Stoke Newington Road, opened on Monday December 3 - the second service available to people in London.

The six month pilot scheme is funded by the City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group Innovation Fund and targets people unable to access healthcare elsewhere.

Maddie Guerlain, 27, a volunteer at the clinic, said: “We cater to a wide range of people. A lot of the people we see are in quite a vulnerable situation; they might not have a home, or have been trafficked into the country doing sex work - mostly we see people who have come to the UK from another country.

“We see victims of violence or trauma, those who have been prevented from accessing their identity documents and we also help with things like how to go about registering with a GP.”

She added: “It’s really amazing to be part of the clinic; people come in with really difficult stories and we leave at the end of the day exhausted but it is definitely a rewarding tiredness.

“One of the things that make Doctors of the World a great organisation is that we do the front line clinic and help people with day to day needs but we also do policy work and advocacy alongside our services to overcome these challenges on a bigger scale.”

Maddie said the facility was unique because it worked to fill a gap in the healthcare services already available in the borough.

The programme’s volunteer doctors, nurses and support team work with organisations like Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group and Homerton Hospital to deliver care in a collaborative way.

Haggerston resident, Maddie, of Whiston Road, said: “I moved to Hackney a little over a year ago and I think this service is a great addition because there are so many different people coming and going.

“It’s been a real treat for me to have this position because I feel like I’m giving back to the neighbourhood that has welcomed me.”

The clinic is open on Mondays from 10am until 2pm for drop-in or appointments. For more information, visit: doctorsoftheworld.org.uk.