Severe Weather Emergency Provision & Homelessness

The Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) has been activated in Hastings for tonight (Thursday 19 December - facebook). The council has been working with Warming Up The Homeless (website) to provide a place of overnight safety for rough sleepers during the severe weather expected tonight. The overnight centre will be at Gizmo House, 23 Priory Street, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1EA.

Warming Up The Homeless have confirmed that: • People with pets are welcome • Three hot meals a day will be provided at no cost • People can access free shower facilities • People can access free laundry facilities. People do not need to approach the council in order to access this SWEP provision. But if anyone has any queries regarding this provision outside of office hours, the out of hours team can be contacted on 01424 451999.

The Council is continuing to offer support to rough sleepers this winter including support to find a longer-term home. If you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping, please get in contact via StreetLink. Stay safe folks.

Not Art for Art's Sake?!?

I saw this in George Street earlier this week, now is this the result of an impressively neat and fastidious 'rough sleeper' or is it a work of art? The clues include a copy of the programme for the 2024 Coastal Currents arts festival (website) in between the sleeping bag and the pair of shoes... A juxtaposition of Tracey Emin's artwork perhaps?

No need to sleep rough in wintry conditions!

If you are sleeping rough, know anyone who is, or meet anyone who is sleeping rough in Hastings, there is no need to do so these freezing nights, go to Christ Church in London Road, St Leonards by 10pm, see video on facebook.