A national initiative that Blackburn Council adopted for the first time this year has been hailed a success by The Salvation Army’s homeless centre that supported it.
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is a guidance designed to support local authorities to provide emergency weather responses in order to prevent deaths of people sleeping rough during winter.
The local authority’s Housing Needs and Child Action North West (CANW) Street Reach teams joined forces with The Salvation Army’s Lifehouse in Blackburn, Bramwell House, to roll out the programme which helped over 100 people, providing 400 safe nights and over 4,000 hours of emergency accommodation for the rough sleepers of Blackburn.
Bramwell House, located on Heaton Street, opened its doors for emergency accommodation in the cold weather from 9:00 pm until 8:30 am during the months the initiative was activated ensuring no rough sleeper was left out in the cold.
Colin Mottershead, service centre manager at The Salvation Army’s Bramwell House said: “This is the first year that Blackburn has activated SWEP and we were only too pleased to support the protocol and engage with those accessing the facility.
“It is critical that local organisations work together to support the fight against homelessness, nobody should have to sleep rough and the cold weather exposes how hard life can be on the streets. Extreme temperatures can kill and for the vulnerable it can be a matter of life and death making them even more vulnerable.
“All teams worked hard over the four month period to get people safely indoors, providing a warm and secure place to stay and we have continued to work with and support those individuals to prevent them having to go back out on the streets.”
Blackburn Council activated its inaugural SWEP initiative for the first time in December 2018 which came to an end on Sunday, 31 March.
Bramwell House provided emergency accommodation to rough sleepers and the council provided the centre with security staff for the overnight hours.
Steve Richards, Housing Needs and Support Manager at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts in activating SWEP. Partnership work is vitally important in situations like this and all teams worked really hard to make people’s situations a little safer and warmer. We are all really pleased we could offer a safe, warm and caring environment and as well as help and support in getting off the streets.”
Change Grow Live’s Inspire Service in Blackburn also supported the roll out of the protocol, providing a substance misuse outreach worker and nurses.
Gem Smith, Targeted Engagement and Recovery Manager at Change Grow Live’s Inspire service in Blackburn said: “Change Grow Live’s partnership with the Salvation Army in Blackburn has really helped our Inspire service to reach more people in need of our services. The weekly drop-in service at the Salvation Army’s Bramwell House has provided a valuable opportunity to provide aid, support and useful information to individuals dealing with homelessness, many of whom have complex needs and are using drugs or alcohol.
“In particular, our collaboration as part of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has enabled rough sleepers in Blackburn to receive shelter from the elements, as well as wider support to address and manage issues arising from substance misuse. Following the success of this partnership, Change Grow Live’s dedicated Inspire worker has accepted an invitation to continue to attend weekly sessions hosted by the Salvation Army.”
