An outreach team in Bristol is highlighting the urgent need for helping the homeless in the current hot temperatures.
Even though the beaming sun can be an enjoyable experience for those of us lucky enough to have access to resources to keep us well in the heat, for homeless, people the summer can be just as unpleasant as winter.
With this in mind, here is what you can do to help.
St Mungo’s Outreach Team encourages members of the public to get in touch via the StreetLink website.
Here’s how you can help
1.Maintain a watchful eye and call 999 if someone is seriously unwell and needs urgent medical assistance
2.Contact StreetLink to connect people sleeping rough with the local support available to them. www.streetlink.org.uk
3. Ensure maximum safety for the homeless person by donating water and other cold drinks or sunscreen.
4.Volunteer with St Mungo's and giive your time to help them end homelessness.
5.Donate goods to the outreach time for the homeless. Including clean clothes, furniture and full, sealed packets of dry, non perishable food which includes their sell by date.
The volunteers from the outreach team regularly go out late at night and early in the morning to assist those who are rough sleeping across Bristol.
But, due to the hot weather conditions they are taking extra precautions by giving out water, sunscreen and supporting people with poor health.
Gareth Mercer, Bristol Outreach Team Coordinator at St Mungo’s, said: “Rough sleeping is harmful and dangerous at any time, however this is increased when temperatures either rise or drop dramatically.
“If people are already in poor physical and mental health, then continued exposure to heat, including dehydration, sunburn or heatstroke can exacerbate problems. Here in Bristol, our team will be out during the day offering support in the warmer weather and providing extra water and sunscreen.”
For the latest news in and around Bristol, check back on Bristol Live's homepage.
