When the weather’s scorching, we stay indoors and cool off in the shade, enjoying cold drinks and air conditioning. But what happens if you can’t do that? This is the harsh reality for Londoners who rough sleep on our city streets. They’re at constant risk of sunburn, dehydration, sunstroke, and more dangerous health issues.
No one should live like this. We all have a part to play in stopping it.
So, how can you help?
Check-in
Living on the streets can be lonely, dangerous, and isolated. Saying hello and stopping for a chat can make all the difference. When temperatures soar, take some time out to check that people on the street are okay.
Offer water, an umbrella or sunscreen
Water prevents dehydration, and an umbrella can provide much-needed shade when none is nearby. Sunscreen helps stop painful sunburn and protects against long-term skin damage.
Help them find shade
When the sun is beating down, finding shade to stay safe is essential. Help someone on the streets by walking them to shaded areas, like the cool refuge under trees in a park, where they can rest and escape the heat.
Contact Streetlink
Contact Streetlink to ensure people on the street get the urgent support they deserve. Streetlink will connect them with local outreach teams who work with organisations like ours to help them start their journey back into stable housing.
You can do this by calling 0300 500 0914 or visiting their website here. The process is straightforward—just provide a few details, including the person’s location, and StreetLink will do the rest.
Call 999
If someone looks like they need immediate help, call 999 right away. Heat and direct sunlight can be extremely dangerous, and people can fall ill quickly from heat exhaustion or sunstroke. Stay alert and act fast in emergencies.
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