![\"MANCHESTER,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279946918-4fd1.jpg\")
\n\t\tRough sleepers feel the effects of poor weather more acutely than others (Picture: Christopher Furlong\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tRough sleepers feel the effects of poor weather more acutely than others (Picture: Christopher Furlong\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
People sleeping rough are at greater risk than ever as London councils deactivate emergency housing protocols<\/a> amid an Arctic blast and the looming threat of heavy snow from Storm Goretti<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many people today woke up to icy pavements and closed schools<\/a> as temperatures plummeted once again due to the relentless Arctic blast.<\/p>\n Forecasters have warned that conditions will only worsen, as yellow and amber warnings for snow and ice for the rest of this week have been issued.<\/p>\n The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended an amber cold health alert for all regions in England until 12pm on Sunday, January 11.<\/p>\n This means there is a greater risk to life for vulnerable people, including those who are homeless. <\/p>\n Those living on the streets in the UK\u2019s capital will not automatically be found shelter if temperatures are above 0\u00b0C.<\/p>\n This is because the Mayor of London sent out a notice saying the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) will be deactivated.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tWhat is the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol?\t\t\t<\/p>\n The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is activated when the temperature is forecast to fall to 0\u00b0C or below.<\/p>\n Local authorities may also trigger SWEP based on other severe weather conditions such as wind, rain, or snow, that could pose significant health risks.<\/p>\n When SWEP is activated, additional emergency accommodation is made available to all rough sleepers, regardless of eligibility.<\/p>\n Outreach teams also go out and try to engage with those living on the streets to encourage them to come inside to a warm, safe place.<\/p>\n At times like this, many of us would like to be able to help rough sleepers, but are not sure how.<\/p>\n So, here we take a look at what steps you can take to support those struggling on the streets during freezing temperatures.<\/p>\n How to help homeless people when it\u2019s cold<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in England or Wales, the best thing to do if you see someone who is sleeping rough is to contact\u00a0Streetlink<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/p>\n To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro’s<\/strong> London news hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n Essentially, this allows you to send an alert to a local outreach service \u2013 such as your local authority or a homeless charity, such as\u00a0St Mungo\u2019s<\/a>.<\/p>\n They will then be able to locate the person sleeping rough to make sure they know about the support available to them.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need to provide the exact location of the person you\u2019re worried about by describing the area, as well as pinpointing it on a map \u2013 plus what time of day you saw or interacted with them.<\/p>\n \t\t You\u2019ll also need to provide a description of their appearance, name, age (if possible) and other identifying characteristics \u2013 to help the outreach service identify them.<\/p>\n If you need to make contact now, send your\u00a0Streetlink alert via their website<\/a> or call 0300 500 0914.<\/p>\n This advice only applies to adults. If the person appears to be under 18, you should contact the police instead.<\/p>\n But always call 999\u00a0in an emergency if you believe someone needs immediate medical attention<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Finally, you can\u00a0contact your local council\u00a0to make a report or ensure that someone you\u2019ve spotted locally is getting support. Find the best contact number or email address on\u00a0gov.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Many councils operate a SWEP, so they should have a plan in place to help local homeless people.<\/p>\n Other ways to help the homeless this winter<\/p>\n If you want to do your part in tackling homelessness in the long term, there are other ways to help during winter \u2013 and throughout the year.<\/p>\n Donate coats and blankets<\/strong><\/p>\n Got a coat you never wear? Donate them to a charity like\u00a0Wrap Up UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t Not in your area? Find your local homeless shelter, or a similar service, via\u00a0Homeless Link<\/a>, or visit the\u00a0Salvation Army clothing bank<\/a>\u00a0to see what they currently need.<\/p>\n Likewise, blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing are much-needed donations.<\/p>\n Offer warm drinks\/food<\/strong><\/p>\n If you want to offer something to a rough sleeper directly, you can always ask if they would like anything to eat or drink.<\/p>\n Speak to them first to ensure it\u2019s something they want or need, and Shelter also says it\u2019s okay to provide blankets, or warm clothing.<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t offer anything, you can always offer a friendly hello, check they\u2019re alright and contact Streetlink.<\/p>\n Donate to a charity or volunteer<\/strong><\/p>\n Alternatively, you can make a donation to a homelessness charity, which will go towards providing shelter and food.<\/p>\n There are a number of UK charities you can donate to, including (but not limited to):<\/p>\n \t\t Many of these charities may be open to volunteers who have time, rather than money, to spare.<\/p>\n Visit their official websites above for further details on what\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n Another way to help is by\u00a0subscribing to The Big Issue<\/a>, a magazine working to end homelessness.<\/p>\n Often, homeless people will work as vendors for the magazine \u2013 you can buy issues directly from them, or subscribe online.<\/p>\n This article was originally published on December 4, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Undiscouraged](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279946922-6515.jpg\")
\n\t\tOne way to help rough sleepers in cold weather is to alert charities or your local council to their presence, so they can provide help (Picture: Mike Kemp\/In Pictures via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279946920-e1767806849893.jpg\")
\n\t\tDonating coats and blankets is a good way to help rough sleepers (Picture: Carl Court\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"LONDON,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279946814-df05.jpg\")
\n\t\tSubscribing to the Big Issue is another way to support the country\u2019s homeless (Picture: Rasid Necati Aslim\/Anadolu via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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