Salvation Army: Look out for street homeless in brutal weather

With Storm Goretti about to land in many parts of the UK after a week of freezing temperatures, The Salvation Army is urging the public to check on people who are forced to live on the streets – and contact Streetlink in order to help get them emergency shelter. 

With SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) activated in most areas of England and Wales, 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. SWEP comes into force when temperatures drop to zero or below, or where weather conditions are so bad it makes living on the streets hazardous for the people who have nowhere else to go. 

Emergency beds are available at Salvation Army locations across England and Wales to help people, who would otherwise have to sleep on the streets, stay warm this winter as part of SWEP. 

The Salvation Army’s Deputy Director for Homelessness, Nathan Slinn, said: 

“The New Year has seen some life-threatening weather conditions for people who are forced to sleep rough. At The Salvation Army, we’re making use of any available space within our homeless Lifehouses to provide temporary beds in safe, warm environments where people can be referred through local councils or other organisations. 

“Some of our community churches will also be opening their doors to offer a warm place to shelter from the cold as well as practical support such as hot food, clothing and a warm welcome. 

“With more snow and strong winds forecast, 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 Salvation Army SWEP and cold weather provision across England and Wales include:

• In the north of England Salvation Army's Bramwell House works with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Lancashire, offering emergency shelter through the SWEP provision from November to March. Bramwell House also provides an evening meal as well as breakfast and offers signposting and ongoing support where needed. Swan Lodge in Sunderland and The Orchard in Bradford will also be providing additional beds.
• Our No 10 drop-in in Central London is open from Monday – Friday (10am – 4pm) and provides a daily hot meal and a warm space for people sleeping rough to come in and escape the cold. Items including hats, scarves, hand warmers and sleeping bags are also provided.
• Our Harnall Lifehouse in Coventry offers 12 SWEP spaces and provides refreshments, shower and laundry facilities. Staff also complete welfare checks and signpost people to other services for help.
• In Wales, our church in Aberystwyth runs a Warm Welcome Space every Thursday from 10am to 1pm. In Llanelli, we host a tea‑and‑toast drop‑in called The Cwtch on Fridays from 10.30am to 12 noon, where everyone is welcome to stay as long as they need. In Wrexham, The Salvation Army opens its church and community centre throughout the winter months every day except Saturdays.
• The Salvation Army in Eastbourne provides a safe, warm refuge on the nights when it is too cold for anyone to be outside. Guests are offered an evening meal, tea and coffee and a clean, warm bed to sleep in.