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 for 3 nights or more.
Other situations when we may activate SWEP include:
- the temperature feels freezing
- it's close to 0 degrees
- rain, wind, snow or ice are making conditions worse.
We aim to protect homeless people by providing:
- temporary shelter
- warmth
- a bed
- food
- washing facilities.
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:
- a bed
- clean bedding
- hot food.
Night shelters are provided by One Big Family at Emmaus Church in Chatham. Anyone who rough sleeping is welcome at Emmaus House.
For more information on night shelters, visit Helping the Homeless website.