Northampton’s severe weather shelter changes venue

The Severe Weather Shelter in Northampton is now operating from the Salvation Army building in Tower Street, having been located at Oasis House for the last few years.

The shelter opens if the overnight temperature in Northampton falls to zero degrees or below and the Met Office forecasts that the freezing temperatures will continue for at least three consecutive nights.

It is open to men and women who have registered for the SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) scheme, and have been interviewed and risk assessed by the borough council, The Hope Centre or NAASH.

It provides guests with hot drinks, an evening meal, breakfast and somewhere safe, warm and dry to stay from 9pm until 9am.

SWEP was activated on three occasions during February when Storms Ciara and Dennis struck and the town endured winter showers.

In his latest monthly report to Northampton Borough Council, cabinet member for housing and wellbeing Councillor Stephen Hibbert says that the shelter is now operating from the Salvation Army building, which offers ‘a larger sleeping area’ and a separate dining area.

Councillor Hibbert wrote: “I would like to express my thanks to the Hope Centre and Midland Heart for their help and support in hosting SWEP in Oasis House over the years.

“SWEP provides a multi-agency, emergency response to severe weather and is invariably activated at very short notice. It is a testament to everyone’s goodwill and flexibility, therefore, that it has been possible to run an overnight shelter alongside the vital services that operate from Oasis House during the day.”

Although the Severe Weather Shelter has left the venue, extended opening hours will also operate during the day at the Hope Centre’s day centre in Oasis House.