Ealing Council has triggered a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for rough sleepers, following plunging temperatures last week.

The protocol traditionally comes into operation during periods of severe weather, and provides shelter to rough sleepers.

Homeless charity St. Mungo’s deliver outreach services on behalf of the council, and carry out extra shifts to make sure that they can offer help to as many rough sleepers as possible.

The council confirmed an increasing number of homeless people in the borough, and has provided help and support from an uncertain future on the streets by initiating this protocol in the area.

Petra Salva, St Mungo’s Director of Rough Sleeping, Westminster and Migrant Services said: “I’ve dedicated my whole working life to supporting people out of rough sleeping and homelessness.

"Over the last 20 years or so, I thought I had seen everything in terms of the impact rough sleeping can have on a person and their families. I’ve seen the harm, the hurt and the pain that people experience, and then came the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Just imagine what it must feel like, sleeping on a pavement, in the dark, alone, fearing for your safety, maybe taking drugs or drinking, just to numb the pain of your situation, feeling physically unwell because of the toll of this lifestyle or because you have another physical problem that has gone untreated or not even yet diagnosed.

"Then you are faced with the fear of a pandemic, a virus that if caught by you, is likely to make you even more vulnerable and possibly kill you”.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is triggered when the Met Office forecasts freezing temperatures.

In London, it is called if it’s going to be zero degrees or below for one night.

With overnight temperatures of -4 degrees in the capital last weekend, the service is one that could have saved many lives.

Salva added: “Sleeping rough is dangerous at any time of the year but when the cold strikes, it is even more deadly. Cold weather can, and does, kill.

“There is no doubt, this year will probably be the most challenging that I and our outreach teams have ever experienced, but that won’t stop us from working around the clock to try to save lives by bringing people in from the cold and supporting them when they need us the most.”

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the outreach service has been unable to provide the usual communal accommodation this winter.

Instead, they have taken to more creative methods to minimise the likelihood of anyone contracting Covid-19.

The alternative plan has allowed rough sleepers to self-isolate alone, putting them out of any immediate danger that may potentially come from living on the street and contracting the airborne disease.

A charity spokesperson said: “Our teams have been as agile, adaptable and creative as they always are.

"They have sought out every possible option which can be used to provide much-needed accommodation. That includes cleaning rooms previously used for storage and converting meeting rooms to bedrooms. 

"We are resourcefully adapting as many spaces as we can and we are also working with local councils to find other suitable places.”

Salva added: “Protecting people from the elements is just the beginning for us, because I know that providing somewhere warm and safe to stay is just the first step.

"Our teams are committed to trying their very best to ensure every person brought inside never has to go back to sleeping outside again.

“The reason I am still here fighting is because I have hope and belief that mass rough sleeping really can be a thing of the past”.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: “Over recent years we have made great progress in reducing rough sleeping and increasing outreach and support resources.

"However, we are still experiencing a steady flow of new rough sleepers onto our streets, which is largely due to economic factors linked to the pandemic.

“In the recent period of severe weather, although we have offered accommodation to all known current rough sleepers, some have refused the offer. Our outreach service does not give up on people, and we will continue to contact them and seek to engage with them, even if they initially refuse."

Anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough should contact StreetLink via their website or app.

Alerts will be passed on to the local outreach service or council who will attempt to find them and offer support within 48 hours of being contacted.

StreetLink is not an emergency service. If anyone is in need of urgent medical attention, please call 999.

Featured image credit: Mark Hillary(Flickr)