Homeless charity working at capacity as winter bites

Amid subzero temperatures this week, Bath homelessness charity Julian House has been working with local councils to ensure the safety of people sleeping rough.

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Cold weather poses serious risks to rough sleepers

(Gerry Justice/Getty)

When weather or the “feels like temperature” hits zero degrees or lower, local authorities enact SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol).

This is an emergency, temporary response to ensure the safety of people who are sleeping rough in the event of extreme weather including cold, wind and rain.

When a SWEP gets announced, Julian House’s outreach teams in Bath and across the South and West of England work tirelessly to bring individuals off the streets into safe accommodation, such as hostels and hotels.

Cold weather periods frequently result in an increased number of deaths as people sleeping rough are more likely to experience significant health effects due to underlying conditions.