Published on Friday 27 January 2023
The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) , a crisis response which supports people sleeping rough outside, has been deactivated across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole following 10 days of very low and sub-zero temperatures.
The support is usually triggered when cold weather warnings are issued, but recent extreme hot weather has also called for urgent action.
During any severe cold weather response, extra accommodation is made available across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole so that nobody has to sleep on the streets during extreme weather.
St Mungo’s Outreach Team carried out shifts throughout this latest SWEP period, finding anyone who was sleeping rough and encouraging them to take up the offer of accommodation.
This support included helping individuals into emergency hotels, with some people placed into accommodation with 24-hour support, depending on specific needs.
A total of 67 people were helped off the streets in the recent cold weather and 38 of these individuals have remained in that accommodation, many of which having previously declined offers. These numbers are similar to those supported the last time SWEP was activated at the end of last year.
BCP Council has a robust, compassionate and proactive approach to dealing with street homelessness, while also reporting problems and keeping everyone in the community safe are also critical factors.
Cllr Hazel, Allen, Lead member for Homelessness at BCP Council, "SWEP is a great example of how important partnership working is when dealing with this issue.
"Our teams work very hard all year round to help people move off the streets and out of danger including at times of severe weather. We thank our partners at St Mungo’s and across the charity and voluntary sectors for their continued dedication and tireless efforts towards our shared goal of ending homelessness."
Note: -
For more information about St Mungo’s , Streetlink and other organisations and how you can notify local outreach workers about someone rough sleeping, go to Make Change Count (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)