Supporting rough sleepers during hot weather - 26/06/2024
This week, Sheffield City Council Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) implemented its SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) procedure due to the high temperatures. This triggered additional support for vulnerable groups, including people who may sleep rough in the city, and involved the RSI team working closely with partner agencies and accommodation providers.
In Sheffield, the additional support included:
- The provision of extra bottles of water, sun cream and sun hats, handed out via Framework and the Rough Sleeper Initiative outreach teams. City centre ambassadors were also supplied with water to hand out to people in need.
- Two of Sheffield’s day centres, Ben’s Centre, and the Archer Project, opened additional access for people seeking respite from the sun, and to take showers.
- Additional street outreach was undertaken throughout the day by the RSI team and Framework, to check on people on the streets.
Aimee Lowe, Service Manager for the Sheffield Street Outreach Team from Framework explains, “We heavily rely on people referring in people they see rough sleeping on our free phone number 0800 0665358. Our team receives many more referrals during the winter than the summer, as the public worries about them more due to the cold, rain and snow. People are often shocked to hear, that we have more people rough sleeping in the summer months than the winter, so referrals and us doing outreach all year round is imperative.”
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People sleeping on the streets are at high-risk during periods of hot weather.
Tim Renshaw, CEO of Archer Project explains, “We often think of winter as being the really dangerous time of year for rough sleepers, but very hot summer days are equally dangerous. Sunburn, heatstroke and dehydration are potential killers for those who can’t find shade.”
Other risks to people sleeping rough include:
- Difficulty in being able to cool down - rough sleepers might be exposed to intense heat, in direct sun, with little shelter or access to water. Without safe storage for belongings, they might need to wear all their clothes and may struggle to regulate their body temperature.
- For people on the streets with health conditions or addictions, their vulnerabilities can mean that they are less able to respond to hot weather and seek help.
- Heat exhaustion and heatstroke - rough sleepers are at enhanced risk of these conditions. A rough sleeper who has collapsed from heat exhaustion or heatstroke might be mistaken for being asleep.
The NHS has useful advice. It’s important to respond quickly as heat exhaustion and heatstroke are potentially life-threatening conditions. If you’re unsure, always call 999 and seek advice from a professional.
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Tim Renshaw, commented: “Day centres and outreach teams are on high alert to make sure people have shade, hats, sunblock creams and water. But if the general public see people who are struggling, or appear to be asleep in the sun, they should call 999 and take advice.”
Aimee Lowe, added: “Framework Street Outreach Team are commissioned to work 365 days of the year, completing outreach every day from as early as 4am. We also complete work with clients during the day time.
As a team we go out daily during the summer. When we have health alerts, we go out and locate rough sleepers to take them water, sun cream, sun hats and to give them advise on how to stay safe in the sun, where they can access shelter from the sun during day time hours and to continue to offer support they may need around benefits, housing, health and substance misuse”.
Andrew Hawksworth, Rough Sleeper Co-ordinator from Rough Sleeper Initiative added, “The RSI team continues to proactively engage with individuals on a daily basis who are experiencing rough sleeping, and carried out additional welfare checks and outreach during this period offering suitable, sustainable accommodation to individuals as well as support and signposting to other services within the city.”
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You can read more about the Rough Sleeper Initiative on our blog: https://www.helpushelpsheffield.uk/blog/sheffields-rough-sleeper-initiative
Alison Wise for Help us Help, June 2024