A nurse from Stockport has been named a 'Christmas Hero' after her outstanding care for patients experiencing homelessness throughout the festive period.

Sheilagh Armstrong has spent the past decade working three days a week at The Wellspring in Stockport, providing walk-in healthcare support for anyone who needs it.

The Wellspring is a charity based in Stockport which provides a vital lifeline for those facing homelessness.

Sheilagh's work involves treating wounds and infections and providing support for people with a range of physical and mental health issues.

Preventing unnecessary A&E visits and making vulnerable residents seen and supported is vital within her role.

In recognition of this, she was named an NHS Greater Manchester Christmas Hero by the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Parntership.

Her work goes far beyond traditional nursing. Sheilagh will build trust with her patients who often feel excluded from services, speak up for people at appointments, guide them through housing and benefits, manage ongoing care needs and work closely with social care to make sure nobody who needs support is missed.

Many services scale back over the holiday period - making it harder for those without a safe home, loneliness or suffering from painful memories to access the support they need. This is why The Wellspring stays open 365 days a year to continue to provide much needed support over the holiday season.

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This Christmas, it was estimated that around 100 people would enjoy a full Christmas dinner and gifts, with meals also being delivered to those in temporary accommodation.

Dr Manisha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Greater Manchester, said: "Sheilagh is a shining example of what it means to be a Christmas Hero. Her compassion and commitment bring hope to people who often feel forgotten, and Stockport is incredibly lucky to have her."

For more information on The Wellspring, you can visit their website here.