Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been called. How do our teams respond?

Homelessness is always difficult, but when the temperature plummets, it becomes increasingly life-threatening.

Having prolonged exposure to cold weather can exacerbate underlying health problems and puts people at greater risk of pneumonia, as well as frostbite and hypothermia.

Extreme weather increases the risk of death or serious illness to people who sleep rough, as it can exacerbate underlying health problems.

Councils across the country have launched the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), to bring rough sleepers in from the cold.

This is a temporary response to ensure the safety of people who are sleeping rough in the event of extreme weather with these considerations:

• the 'feels like' temperature

• forecasts approaching zero degrees

• the impact of rain, snow, wind chill and ice

This protocol is called by local authorities when the weather or ‘feels like temperature’ hits zero degrees or lower, and when weather warnings are announced by the MET office.

When SWEP gets announced our dedicated outreach teams across the South West work tirelessly to bring individuals off the streets and into safe accommodation, such as hostels and hotels.

‘We list all the folks consistently out and arrange B&B before the event, we will then mop up afterwards with people that are referred into Julian House. We ensure we have lots of sleeping bags and foil blankets ready and waiting, maintain daily contact with Dorset Council and our clients, ensuring nobody will get missed.’ Chris, Service Manager for Weymouth Outreach.

However, our teams are already stretched thin, and our services are operating at capacity, making this an incredibly challenging time.

Your support is crucial. By donating you can help us provide not just shelter, but a sense of safety and comfort for those who need it most.

Make a difference

If you see someone who is sleeping rough you can alert them to our teams by using the link below:

Streetlink