Soaring temperatures

Soaring temperatures can be life-threatening for people sleeping rough as heatwave hits UK

Leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s has issued a warning about the dangers people sleeping rough face during extreme hot weather as the UK experiences soaring temperatures this week. The UK Health Security Agency has declared a ‘level two alert’ for southern and central England with temperatures forecast to reach 33C (91.4F) in some areas on Friday as hot air spreads up from Spain, Portugal and north Africa.

In response several local councils across the south of England, with support from St Mungo’s and other homelessness charities, may activate their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to ensure people can shelter safely during the extreme heat, with the hottest days of the year yet to come.

During the hot temperatures St Mungo’s Outreach Teams will increase the number of routine shifts being carried out to ensure that everybody who is on the streets is offered shelter from the sun, and will work with other charities and local authority partners to ensure that more accommodation and safe spaces are available. The St Mungo’s Outreach Team in Bristol is already conducting visits to provide sunscreen, sun hats and water to people who are currently sleeping rough in the area. 16 Helen Denyer, Service Director at St Mungo’s commented: “It is always dangerous for people to be sleeping rough, but extreme weather including soaring temperatures like those we’re seeing this week can pose a real threat to life.

“The heat can cause a number of severe health illnesses such as; heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“Our teams are working hard to provide people with sun protection and fresh water and we would encourage members of the public to take action if they see somebody sleeping rough during this warm weather period. “Buying somebody water or sun cream could be immensely helpful, and we would urge people to contact StreetLink if they are aware of someone who is sleeping rough or without shelter. This will help connect them with local support. If somebody is in an emergency situation always call 999.” Every summer there are a number of excess deaths due to negative impacts of hot weather. It is estimated that nationally there are 75 extra deaths in the general population per week for each degree in temperature.

StreetLink operates 24 hours a day, 365 day a year with alerts being passed to local outreach teams who then use the information to find and support people sleeping rough.