St Mungo’s support in freezing weather

With freezing weather and icy winds moving in across the country, St Mungo’s teams are redoubling efforts to help people rough sleeping off the streets and into emergency accommodation as temperatures become life-threatening.

When the temperature is forecast to drop below zero, local councils activate what’s called a SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) plan, working with their local homelessness services.

In London, when the temperature is below freezing for just one night and other local provision is full, St Mungo’s runs the Mayor’s provision to support even more people inside, offering a hot shower, clean clothes, and hot food as well as an emergency bed, while staff work to find them more permanent options.

St Mungo’s outreach workers in London, Bristol, Oxford, Bournemouth, Basildon, Thurrock, Brighton and Reading will be working with local partners to provide emergency provision for those who could die if not helped inside.

How to help:

• Be extra vigilant – visit www.streetlink.org.uk or download the app to refer someone.
• Volunteer for StreetLink so they can help more people connect to outreach services:
• Support St Mungo’s www.mungos.org/winter
• Contact 999 in an emergency