How can I help homeless people during a UK heatwave?

A heatwave in the UK can be great news for sun worshippers but the sunshine and high temperatures can pose a real threat if you’re experiencing homelessness.

Low temperatures in winter are often considered a huge risk to wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness at risk, but it’s also true that particularly warm summers — which we can expect more of as the climate crisis worsens — can be harmful for people sleeping rough.

They’re faced with a battle to find cool spots to shelter in, cold drinking water and places to shower off, while being at higher risk of sunburn, dehydration and heatstroke.

Big Issue vendors out working hard selling the magazine on the streets will also be exposed to the sun.

A new heatwave — the fourth of the year in some parts of the UK — has arrived with temperatures expected to rise into the 30s, according to the Met Office. 

Temperatures are expected to peak on 12 August, reaching up to 34°C in parts of England.

The heat has seen the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issue an amber heat health alert running from 9am on 12 August to 6pm on 13 August. That alert relates to five regions of England: the West Midlands, the East Midlands, South East, London and the East of England.

The North East, North Eest, South West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions are covered by a yellow heat health warning.

The alert warns of significant impacts on health and social care services. 

That means the potential for a rise in deaths among vulnerable people with health conditions or aged over 65 as well as an increase of demand for health services and heat affecting workers’ ability to deliver services.

Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: “Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30°C across central and southern parts of the country over the next few days, and generally hot weather is expected across most regions of England.

“These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions – so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.

“If you have friends, family or neighbours who are vulnerable, it is important to ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice. Check in on them if you can to make sure they know that hot weather is on the way and how to keep themselves safe.”

The hot weather comes after the Climate Change Committee warned the UK is not prepared for climate change and the extreme weather it promises to intensify.

The hot weather poses a threat to people who are sleeping rough – here’s how you can help.

Watch out for signs of heatstroke and heat-related illness

The NHS lists the some of the signs of heat exhaustion as: 

• a headache
• dizziness and confusion
• loss of appetite and feeling sick
• excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin
• cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• fast breathing or pulse
• a high temperature of 38C or above
• being very thirsty

If you think someone has heatstroke you need to help them find somewhere to cool down immediately.

These are the steps to take to according to the NHS:

• Move them to a cool place.
• Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.
• Get them to drink plenty of water. Sports or rehydration drinks are OK.
• Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good too.

Call 999 immediately if they start to breathe quickly or have shortness of breath, have a seizure, lose consciousness, or are not responsive.

Ask your local council if they will activate Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

When extreme weather poses a health risk, councils can activate Severe Weather Emergency Protocols.

These can be activated in response to high winds, freezing temperatures and snow as well as extreme heat. It’s up to the council whether they decide to activate Swep. While most local authorities are likely to open up places to shelter and reach out to rough sleepers under Swep, it is at the discretion of each authority.

If you believe your council should be activating Swep, you can contact them to let them know.

Donate some sun cream 

A simple way to help a disadvantaged person through the summer months is to give them a bottle of sun cream, whether it’s newly bought or a spare you had at home (as long as you haven’t had it for long – sunscreen can expire). 

Give out frozen water bottles

It can sometimes be tricky for people sleeping rough to locate good drinking water, and it becomes even more of a challenge in summer when they need to cool down and stay hydrated. If you plan to give away a bottle of water, stick it in the freezer the night before, so it will stay cold for longer and can also cool sticky foreheads. Even better, find out where your nearest water refill stations are and make sure the person has that information going forward.

If you give a person food, opt for ingredients which contain a lot of water such as juicy fruit or vegetables to help them stay hydrated.

Be generous with hats and sunglasses

It’s easy to underestimate the health-saving impact of sun hats and shades during the summer if we need only reach into a wardrobe to fish some out. But they can make a real difference in fending off sun and heatstroke, particularly to people who might not be able to escape the hot sun in a UK heatwave. 

Paul Brocklehurst, senior helpline manager at Centrepoint, said: “If you have a spare umbrella, you can give this to someone sleeping rough to offer some respite from the sun. Spare bottles of sunscreen, even those partly used, can provide vital protection too. So can caps, hats and sunglasses, which prevent sunstroke and eye damage.”

Donate a fan

A handheld fan can be a gamechanger for someone who can’t head indoors out of the sun or into air-conditioned buildings during a UK heatwave. Umbrellas can offer a person shade if they have nowhere else to go, too. 

Contact the local support team

If you see someone in need of medical attention in hot weather, don’t hesitate to call 999 to get them the help they need. Other expert organisations can offer support to those left without a home, including Streetlink — who will be sure to put you in touch with your local frontline services — Centrepoint, St Mungos, Crisis, Shelter and more.

Centrepoint’s Brocklehurst added: “If you see someone suffering from sunstroke or needing urgent medical attention due to the heat, or for anything else don’t hesitate to call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

“For vulnerable young people sleeping rough you can also contact the free Centrepoint helpline. We can signpost young people to services that can provide them with safe accommodation.”

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