Cold weather leads to extra help for Gloucestershire rough sleepers

There are concerns for people sleeping rough this winter

A special protocol has been activated in Gloucestershire to make sure people sleeping rough have somewhere warm and safe to go at night.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is triggered when the temperature drops below zero degrees for a prolonged period.

As a result, emergency shelters have been opened across the county.

Matt Gasside, from charity organisation P3, said: "Our key aim is to avoid a death on the streets."

He added: "People who are rough sleeping are at extreme risk from the weather and are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We offer them accommodation to keep them warm and safe," he said.

"Those people we are working with and know are rough sleeping, we will contact them on the day SWEP is called and make an accommodation offer to each of them to keep them safe."

Matt Gasside from the charity P3 said help was available during freezing weather

The charity works in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council and six district and borough councils.

Kingfisher Treasure Seekers in Gloucester is one of the organisations providing a warm space at night at The Cavern on Westgate Street.

The Cavern in Gloucester is a night-time warm space

Director, Craig Tucker, said "We are one of a few locations for Gloucester than can take people in overnight to keep them safe and warm. We are also offering a meal in the evening with a couple of hot drinks and breakfast in the morning.

"It's literally lifesaving, it's so vital. It's an area really close to our hearts because in the last year we've really seen a rise in rough sleepers in Gloucester and we are trying to do as much as we can to support that community."

You can find details of where to get help here.

Craig Tucker from Kingfisher Treasure Seekers said the plan was "literally lifesaving"