St Mungo’s is urging caution as temperatures rise, warning that people sleeping rough face a serious risk to their health and lives during extreme heat.
The homelessness charity’s warning follows a rare Red Weather Alert issued by the Met Office for Wednesday 24th June, and Thursday 25th June, signalling potential disruption to essential infrastructure alongside a heightened risk of severe illness and death.
St Mungo’s is also sharing advice on how the public can support people experiencing homelessness during the hot weather.
Claire Hopkins, Head of Specialist Rough Sleeping Services at St Mungo’s, says:
“Soaring temperatures can be deadly for those who are sleeping rough. On the streets, it can be difficult to access water, sunscreen, and places to shelter from the sun, meaning that those experiencing homelessness have a particularly high risk of developing life-threatening heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, dehydration, or heat stroke.
It is right to treat this current heatwave as an emergency. As ever, St Mungo’s teams are prepared to respond to this critical situation. We will continue to work tirelessly, with the support of local authorities, to ensure people sleeping rough have access to water, shelter, and sun cream. We will also increase the number of Outreach shifts taking place during this time.
People can help those who are sleeping rough during the hot weather by offering water or sun cream, and can also contact Streetlink to connect people experiencing homelessness with local support. When somebody requires urgent medical assistance, call 999.”
