Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)
We run a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to give rough sleepers emergency accommodation in extreme weather.
We activate SWEP when temperatures are predicted to be 0 degrees or below.
Other situations when we may activate SWEP include:
- rain, wind, snow or ice are making conditions worse
- predicted gale force winds that could cause a risk to life
- other extreme weather such as heatwaves in the summer.
We aim to protect people sleeping rough by providing:
- temporary shelter
- warmth
- washing facilities
- sunscreen and water in extreme heat
- advice on places to do during the day.
Find out if SWEP is in place
You can find out if SWEP is in place through:
- teams who work with rough sleepers
- local organisations who are in contact with rough sleepers or provide services to them
- our social media channels.
Night shelters
Rough sleepers can access overnight shelters provided across Medway during the winter months. At the overnight shelters users can get:
- somewhere warm to stay overnight
- support to access services
- advice on housing options that may be available to them.