As a yellow weather alert is set for the county this weekend, Kent charities are giving out free clothes, hot water bottles, and a safe shelter
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00:00The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for Kent this weekend,
00:04cautioning residents about snow and ice.
00:07The Director of Public Health has highlighted that this cold snap poses a serious health risk,
00:12particularly to vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, pregnant individuals
00:17and those with pre-existing health conditions.
00:20For many, the added pressures like winter fuel cuts and financial struggles after Christmas
00:25make staying warm even more challenging.
00:28Layering your clothes is also helpful, makes you feel much warmer than if you wore a single layer.
00:34Similarly, appropriate footwear, blocking if there's any draughts in your house,
00:40so using draught blockers and blocking that draught.
00:43Use of curtains and things like blinds etc. when they're down, especially when it's dark,
00:52it does help insulate as well.
00:56And in addition to that, moving around, so being able to not stay in one place for more than an hour.
01:02If you're concerned, there are around 5,000 warm welcome spaces across the county,
01:08offering a refuge from the cold.
01:10These spaces see an average of 120,000 visitors weekly,
01:15and over the past two years, half of those using them said they would have otherwise stayed at home without heating.
01:21Libraries, for example, are open year-round anyway,
01:24and so warm welcome is a kind of label that they can put on what they're doing through the whole year,
01:29but particularly at winter time when they really want to show people that
01:33if you are struggling with the cold or if you are feeling isolated and lonely during the winter,
01:37that there is a place for you.
01:38The best thing to do is to go onto the warm welcome website and have a look at the map
01:42and see what's available in your local community this weekend.
01:46In Gillingham, additional support is available through the Street Angels,
01:49helping those in need during this severe weather.
01:51We have a hot water boiler running all the time at our food bank.
01:54When people come along, it's OK giving someone a hot water bottle at the home,
01:57that's how they're going to fill it up.
01:58Some people can't afford to turn the kettle on,
02:00so we're happy to fill your water bottles, your flasks up to give you hot water.
02:03We make hot meals for people every day.
02:05There's lots of groups out there.
02:07You'll have Medway Council at the moment.
02:09They'll activate something called SWEPTS, which is a severe weather emergency protocol.
02:13So there is things out there for people to do.
02:16There is things that will keep you warm, will help you get fed.
02:19I think Medway, we're lucky.
02:21Recommendations from public health officials include being well prepared,
02:25checking on vulnerable neighbours and wearing layered clothing to conserve heat.
02:30The Met Office also warns that weather conditions can change quickly,
02:34so it's important to stay informed and prepared for any updates.
02:38Kristen Hawthorne, KMTV in Gillingham.