Help for people forced to sleep rough as temperatures drop

As temperatures begin to plummet, The Salvation Army is working with councils and other organisations to provide emergency beds and outreach support to prevent people from dying of the cold on the streets. 

Emergency beds are now opening in locations across England and Wales to help people who are forced to sleep rough to stay warm this winter as part of the national warning system known as the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). 

While SWEP protocols don’t apply in Scotland, each council still makes its own emergency provision, with Salvation Army lifehouse spaces used by councils all year round as part of their emergency accommodation provision.

 The SWEP protocol is actioned when temperatures drop to zero or below, or weather conditions deteriorate drastically – making living on the streets extremely hazardous.

The Salvation Army’s Director for Homelessness, Nick Redmore, said: 

“There is a homelessness crisis in the UK and we’re really concerned that more people than ever before will be forced to sleep rough this winter. At The Salvation Army, we’re making the best use of any available space within our homeless Lifehouses to create safe, warm environments which can be accessed by people who remain on the streets. 

“Many of our community churches will also be opening their doors to offer practical support such as hot food, clothing and a friendly face as well as signposting people to get help from other organisations. 

“As temperatures drop, The Salvation Army and other outreach charities will be checking in on rough sleepers, but our teams can’t be everywhere at once. We ask the public to also look out for rough sleepers and contact Streetlink - https://thestreetlink.org.uk/ - to let them know their location. If someone is in immediate danger, or if the person is under 18 years old, call 999.” 

Examples of how The Salvation Army is helping rough sleepers in England and Wales: 

• The Salvation Army No10 day centre in central London is giving out hats, scarves, gloves, socks and sleeping bags to people who are forced to sleep rough. Open from Monday to Friday, the team also offer a warm space and a hot meal.
• Our church in Basildon offers a daytime drop-in from 8.30 to 12.30 where rough sleepers are able to take a shower, do their laundry and warm up with tea, coffee and toast
• In Sunderland, our Swan Lodge lifehouse (hostel) which provides a home and support to people who are on their journey out of homelessness has freed up extra space for emergency beds for people who don’t have a safe, warm place to be at night
• In Cardiff and Newport Salvation Army Outreach Teams are playing a critical role, working in partnership with each local authority, to help people off the streets and into severe weather provision
• In Plymouth, our lifehouse has activated ‘safe sleep’ with emergency beds provided in the hostel’s chapel

Every Salvation Army serves its local community in a different way. To find out what your nearest Salvation Army is offering locally, visit: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/map-page