For many of the people we support at Genesis Life Projects, keeping cool and safe in the summer is just as vital as keeping warm in the winter. Those sleeping on the streets are at high-risk during periods of hot weather. Rough sleepers in particular can find it very difficult to cool down. They might sleep on hot tarmac or in direct sun, with little access to water or shelter. Without safe storage for belongings, they might need to wear all their clothes: winter coats, many layers, heavy shoes.

People sleeping on the streets might also have health conditions or addictions – alcohol and some drugs are dehydrating.  It is important to recognise when someone might have heat exhaustion or heatstroke which can be severe and life threatening.

 

Signs of heatstroke include seizures, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition and anyone showing symptoms needs emergency medical help.

Anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot. However, people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell include:

  • People with underlying health conditions
  • People on certain medications
  • People with serious mental health needs
  • People who are using drugs and alcohol
  • People experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping rough and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as people who sofa surf or live in hostels.

How can we help?

At Genesis Life Projects we offer rough sleepers, and all our clients, the chance to get out of the sun during the day and to cool down. We provide food and cold drinks and, most importantly, a refreshing shower for those without accommodation.

There are few places locally where people can get a free shower so we are very grateful that we can still offer this whilst we are at our temporary location in Widcombe.

People can get clean and cooler clothing, hats and footwear. We have refillable water bottles and sun cream. The staff at Genesis Life Projects will advise people on where to find other cool spaces and where the free water fill up points are around the city – Terrace Walk ( Bog Island), Southgate Street and St James’ Street. During the last heatwave everyone was offered a bottle of water and suncream as they left us.

How can you help?

When you are out and about, if you are able to, please offer a rough sleeper cold water or other cold drink. Perhaps a hat and suncream too.

Do tell them about coming to Genesis on the Canal for a cool space and support. The details are on our website Help homeless people – Genesis Trust Bath.

Our Get Help Cards are also useful for this (see below). They show what services we provide, where we are, the timings and contact numbers. It’s best to have a couple of them (they are wallet sized) so that if you meet someone in need you can give them the card. If you would like some cards for your church, work or personally please get in touch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are other places such as the St Michael’s Without  Café and the Salvation Army Café who offer suspended drinks so that is always good to tell people about.

To support all our clients to stay healthy in the hot weather we currently need toiletries. We would be very grateful for any donations. If you can donate any of these most needed items, please contact us. There is also a donation basket for toiletries for Lifeline in St Michael’s Church Without.

  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Shower gel
  • Soap and flannels
  • Body spray
  • Deodorant – spray and roll on
  • Razors for men and women
  • Lip care
  • Hairbrushes and combs
  • Nail brushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Dental floss
  • Sanitary pads
  • Sun cream

Another way to donate toiletries is through Give Today. You could donate a Hygiene Bundle, a Toiletries Bundle or an Outreach Bundle as well as many other items to help us keep people safe in the hot weather and all year round.

If you are worried about someone who you see on the streets, please contact the emergency services. Call 999 (urgent) if the person is in immediate danger, needs medical assistance, is under 18. Or 101 for non- urgent matters.  

To send an alert about someone who is sleeping or preparing to sleep rough StreetLink can be used by anyone in England and Wales. Alerts are sent to the local outreach team, who go out to find and support that person.

  1. Go to their website – www.thestreetlink.org.uk
  1. Click “Help Someone Sleeping Rough”
  1. Follow the instructions which include entering the location of the person and the time you saw them.

Thank you for helping us to support homeless and vulnerable people in our local community to stay safe and to ensure their physical health and mental wellbeing.

Further information

Here is the Groundswell Health Guide that is very helpful. Groundswell_Health Guide 2023_Heatwave_WEB.cdr

What is SWEP?

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is a locally agreed procedure and offer, followed to minimise harm or death to anyone who might be sleeping rough in severe weather, through the provision of emergency accommodation.

In hot weather this usually comes into effect when we reach 30 degrees, but it is up to the council’s discretion.  At Genesis Life Projects the team will receive an email the night before advising us that SWEP hot or cold will be in place the following day and for how long.

During a heatwave SWEP places for people to go to keep cool are:

Genesis On the Canal  – Widcombe BA2 4JR

Bath Housing Welfare and Advice – 3-4 Manvers Street BA1 1JQ

Bath Central Library – 19-23 The Podium , Northgate Street BA1 5AN

Keynsham Library and Information Centre – Civic Centre, Market Walk , Keynsham BS31 1FS

MSN Library and Information Services –  The Hollies, High Street, Midsomer Norton BA3 2B

Cold water, suncream, and other items are available at council offices and handed out by outreach teams.