Norfolk homeless charity warns that extreme heat can lead to fatalities
A homeless charity is warning people that extreme weather could be fatal for people experiencing homelessness
Ensuring people experiencing homelessness have water and shade is at the top of St Martins Trusts priorities, as the warmer weather continues.
Dr Jan Sheldon, Chief Executive of the charity, says "shade and access to water is so incredibly important because in extremes of heat, people can die on the streets."
St Martins Trust, have been undergoing community work to help supply people sleeping rough in Norfolk, with supplies during the warmer weather.
" Giving out sun cream and hats if we possibly can, it's really, really dangerous for people on the street in any extreme of weather. "
Jan told us that public donations are fundamental at times like this.
Despite 'limited storage' at St Martins Trust, they aim to get donated items out as soon as possible:
"In the summer we're looking for things that will keep them cool. As soon as we get those things we get them out to the people that we support,
Things like the sun hats, cream, water and energy bars, all of those things are really, really important."
When they dont have enough donations, the trust uses its 'charitable resources' to purchase items that they need.
However, its largely business as usual for them, with community work going on 365 days a year to help give people experiencing homelessness as much support as they can.
Dr Jan Sheldon, and her colleagues, are urging people to keep an eye out for signs of dehyration and sunstroke in people experiencing homelessness:
"If you see somebody that you're worried about who clearly is sleeping rough, we would always encourage you, if they're non-responsive, to ring 999,
If you're worried about them and they are responsive, use the Street Link website."
Using the 'street link' website will alert the local authorities to send someone out and check on them.