Updates and changes to this page

October 2026: This page has been rewritten, but there have not been any significant changes to the information provided.

Hot weather

Anyone can become unwell when the weather is hot. However, people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell include:

  • People with underlying health conditions
  • People on certain medications
  • People with serious mental health needs
  • People who are using drugs and alcohol
  • People experiencing homelessness, including those sleeping rough and those who are unable to make adaptations to their living accommodation such as people who sofa surf or live in hostels.

Recognising heat-related illnesses

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt (usually through excessive sweating when your body becomes very hot). Symptoms include paleness and sweating, rapid heart rate, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting and dizziness/fainting.

What to do:

  • Lie down in a cool area
  • Remove outer clothing
  • Use cool water or wet cloths to cool skin
  • Hydrate (if fully conscious)
  • Seek medical advice or call an ambulance if no improvements.

Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body over-heating, with the person’s body temperature becoming dangerously high. It can be a life-threatening emergency and untreated symptoms can include seizures, confusion, and unconsciousness.

What to do:

  • Call for an ambulance immediately
  • Whilst waiting for emergency help, lie in a cool, shaded area
  • Remove clothing and wet skin with cool water
  • Hydrate (if fully conscious)
  • If unconscious, position individual on their side and clear their airway.

Tips for keeping cool in the heat

  • Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty
  • Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned buildings e.g., libraries, day centres
  • Wear a hat and light coloured, loose fitting clothing
  • Apply sunscreen or seek shaded areas
  • Avoid physical activity
  • Avoid or limit alcohol, substances, caffeine and sugar
  • Eat salty food to replace the salt lost through sweating

Recommendations for homelessness services

  • Have supplies ready: Keep cool water, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and if possible, spare loose-fitting clothing to offer.
  • Extend opening times: In periods of extreme heat, extend opening hours to provide shelter.
  • Share information: Share details about available provisions with relevant organisations and display in places where people experiencing homelessness may go e.g., in train stations, libraries, community centres etc.
  • Map cool spaces: Map out available 'cool' spaces, water re-fill points, and toilets to be able to advise people of.
  • Add daytime outreach: Services should do additional day time shifts during periods of hot weather to hand out provisions and advise of cool spaces available.

Case study: Tower Hamlets, East London

Tower Hamlets’ Rough Sleeping Team worked closely with our commissioned services and wider statutory partners to deliver H-SWEP services in 2023. Provision during H-SWEP included:

  • Targeted outreach shifts during ‘Yellow’ and higher alert levels by the St Mungos street outreach team to support the most vulnerable clients who were most at risk of extreme temperatures.
  • A specialist cooling station (during the ‘Amber’ activation) was provided within our local day centre (Providence Row Charity), which was open into the evening, and on weekends. This meant a safe space with dedicated, holistic support was available to people sleeping rough. The borough’s libraries were also available as ‘cool spaces’ for people to access.
  • Community Safety Teams helped deliver water and other supplies, and supported the outreach teams through driving to check at risk people during higher alert levels. Public Health teams also supported with plans to provide hats and water bottles to people sleeping rough.

Case study: Oasis Community Housing, North East England

The extreme heat during the summer meant Oasis Community Housing’s teams had to react quickly to ensure individuals who were on the street and in supported accommodation had the means to keep cool and hydrated.

  • Recognising heat-related illness: Staff discussed the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and dehydration, so they were aware of what to look for.
  • Promoting hydration and sun protection: Staff ensured they were discussing the weather with individuals accessing the drop-in centres, encouraging them to use sun cream and drink plenty of water
  • ‘Basis Beds’ accommodation: Staff contacted all residents to offer an electric fan and bottled water. All properties in a high-rise building were provided with fans as these properties were extremely difficult to cool due to the construction of the building and lack of air flow.

For more case studies like this, click here.

Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

When there is a ‘risk to life’ due to extreme weather, SWEP should be activated. Read more here.