News MBC puts SWEP in place during Storm Eunice
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has put the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) in place today (Friday 18 February) as storm Eunice has arrived.
This is in order to help anyone who may need emergency accommodation with as the storm has brought with it extremely high winds which are expected to reach speeds of between 70 and 80mph this afternoon.
Implemented by MBC’s Outreach Team, SWEP aims to prevent rough sleeping during extreme cold weather when the ambient temperatures ‘feel like’ zero or below to provide emergency accommodation for those in need. The Council considers the weather conditions and forecast when implementing.
SWEP enables MBC to help others sometimes providing the Outreach Team opportunities to engage with ‘entrenched’ rough sleepers and other ‘hard-to-reach’ groups, who may be more likely to accept support at this time of year. If anyone knows of someone who is homeless in the Maidstone area they are asked to contact MBC.
The Council is asking anyone who is homeless and has nowhere safe to stay to ring the emergency phone line number 0808 196 3710 which is available Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm but does advise that the number may be busy and callers may have to try more than once. If someone should need help or assistance out of hours they should call 01622 602000.
Deaths on the streets are not limited to the effects of cold – severe weather conditions such as high wind, heavy rain, snow and heatwaves all increase the risk of harm. Help for those at risk of rough sleeping, is available at the MBC Marsham Street Outreach office.
Should anyone find a rough sleeper in the borough of Maidstone, please let MBC know by emailing the Outreach Team at: outreach@maidstone.gov.uk. Or use the national website: www.streetlink.org.uk who will pass the details the details on to the local team. The team will go and find the rough sleeper and offer support. If someone would like to donate or help rough sleepers to contact a registered charity.