Homelessness doesn’t just happen in Winter – its effects are devastating year-round. The increase in summer temperatures brings new threats to the physical health and psychological wellbeing of people who are sleeping rough, with greater risk of issues including dehydration, heat stroke, physical assault and verbal abuse.
Access to drinking water can be difficult, with many cafes refusing entry to people who appear homeless. It is also harder to find a safe place to sleep on the streets, with more people out for longer during the evenings.
In response to local demand, the 999 Club in Deptford opened its doors for the first time over the Summer last year. We were one of just three shelters of its kind open in London at that time and the only one in Lewisham.
This year, £191,000 of new funding from the government’s Rough Sleepers’ Initiative has meant we can operate doors again through the summer and beyond.
Dr Louisa Snow, head of operations at the 999 Club, said: “The summer can be very hard for people who are on the streets. People who come into our Night Shelter say it’s difficult to find a safe, secluded place to sleep and they are more in fear of being attacked or being the victims of anti-social behaviour during the light nights.”
With capacity for 25 people, our emergency shelter provides a welcome respite from the streets and the opportunity to find new accommodation, access healthcare, maximise income and improve personal and work skills through its employability programme.
Marc*, who is currently staying at the Night Shelter, said: “My stay during the past months at the 999 Club Night Shelter has been supportive. I have made connections and been given the opportunity to move to more permanent shared housing. The night shelter is a valuable and much-needed service in a community now impacted by homelessness.”
If you see someone on the streets this summer, here are some ways you could help them:
- Offer to buy a drink and food – Dehydration can be a significant problem in the summer. Not all cafes will allow people who appear to be sleeping rough access to get water to drink. The offer of a drink and a reusable water bottle – and some food – can make a difference to someone on the streets during hot weather.
- Donate a hat and umbrella – It can be difficult to find shade, and heat stroke and heat exhaustion can seriously threaten a person’s health. A hat and/or umbrella can provide some protection against the worst of the sunshine.
- Give sun cream – Sunburn is also a major problem for people who are homeless. A free tube of sun cream can help prevent serious skin damage.
- Offer a referral to Street Link – This service operates throughout England and Wales. Members of the public can log details of a homeless person on the Street Link website and this information is sent to the local authority or outreach service to help them find the individual and connect them to get support. Details requested include the sleeping location of the rough sleeper and the time they were there as well as a description of them which would help to find them. See https://www.streetlink.org.uk/
- Donate to your local homelessness charity – Charities across the country need your support year-round, to provide vital services to people who are homeless or fear they may become homeless. While donations of money are always welcome, giving your time by volunteering is another way you can give back to your community. You can find a charity or shelter near you through Homeless Link -https://www.homeless.org.uk/homeless-england/search-near-me
Please help us to help a homeless person this summer by making a donation.
* named changed to protect his privacy