HOT SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol – Hot Weather) has been activated across Worcestershire due to a significant rise in temperatures, and we need your help.
While SWEP is often associated with winter, extreme heat can be just as dangerous for those sleeping rough. Prolonged exposure to the sun, lack of shade, dehydration, sunstroke and heat exhaustion all pose severe health risks. Many rough sleepers are already managing physical and mental health challenges, and heatwaves significantly increase their vulnerability.
Claire Hooper, Outreach Manager at Maggs Day Centre, explains:
People often don’t realise that the sun can be just as dangerous as the cold when you’re sleeping rough. Many of the people we support are already vulnerable, and a heatwave makes their situation even more precarious. HOT SWEP allows outreach teams to check in with rough sleepers and offer urgent advice, water, and suncream — but Maggs is here every day, providing access to shade, showers, food, fresh clothes, and a safe space. We’re asking our community to help us keep going by donating key summer essentials or supporting our Summer Appeal.
How Does Hot SWEP Work?
HOT SWEP is coordinated locally by CCP (Caring for Communities and People), whose outreach teams are delivering welfare checks, distributing bottled water and sunscreen, and offering guidance on how to stay safe in the heat.
Alongside this essential emergency response, the Maggs team continue to offer their vital day-to-day support to people experiencing homelessness — providing access to food, clean clothing, showers, shaded spaces and practical help at our Worcester and Malvern day centres.
How Can You Help?
Donate bottles of water, suncream or light snacks – these essentials make a huge difference
Support us through our Summer Appeal
Drop off clothing & toiletry donations at our Worcester sites during opening hoursAll donations, both in-kind and monetary, support our mission to offer care with dignity, consistency, and compassion.
Alternatively, if anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough is encouraged to refer them via StreetLink, which alerts outreach teams to their location so that they can be offered appropriate support.
