Like everyone else, we’ve been considering how we respond to extreme weather.  Whether it’s the heat we’ve experienced this summer, floods or snow storms – we wanted to be as prepared as possible!

The weather can have severe impacts on our venues, staff and volunteers and of course our service users.  Dangers can include

• Slips and falls due to snow or icy conditions
• Dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke in extreme heat,
• Flooding affecting travel routes

Our aim is to offer consistent services, and we are committed to maintaining hubs and activities wherever it is safe and practical to do so.  However, when extreme weather presents an unacceptable risk to service users, volunteers or staff, services may be adapted, relocated, postponed or cancelled.  This will always be our last resort, and decisions will be made on each service according to the individual circumstance.  Each of our hub locations is so different, so we need to assess venue, as well as local transport and conditions.

In the event of extreme weather warnings, we will contact anyone who has an appointment booked, or who regularly attends a social group or activity.

We will contact service users and volunteers promptly to:

• Confirm if the service is taking place
• Talk to you about how you intend to travel, discussing any risks associated with your journey
• Arrange an alternative appointment if you would prefer not to travel

We will contact people directly, and place alerts on our website or Facebook page.

If we are able to run our hubs, then we want you to be able to choose if you want to attend.  Please be reassured that we encourage you to postpone your appointment if you might be affected by the weather.  But we also appreciate that our services are important, so if we can help – and it is safe to do so – we will be very pleased to see you.