Advertisement
Employment

‘Knock for a drink or an ice lolly!’: How Brits are helping those working outside in the heatwave

Many churches and mosques are inviting people of all faiths and none to take a rest in their cool spaces.

With the country in meltdown – literally – Brits are having to find new ways to keep themselves, and others, cool and safe.

For those unable to enjoy an air-conditioned office or the comfort of working from home, metres from a well stocked freezer, it can be a really uncomfortable time.

Sweltering temperatures outside leave bin collectors, postal workers, delivery drivers and others working in direct sun, often with few rest breaks or access to cooled water.

So, until the government strengthens the rules around working conditions and brings in a maximum working temperature for safety, kind-hearted Brits are doing what they can to help their communities cool down. 

A chilled bottle of water will be much appreciated, but so too will a few words of thanks to people slogging away in the heat to keep things moving despite the extreme temperature. 

“Give them a cold drink, some sun cream, tell them you appreciate them and back their fight for decent pay,” tweeted Nick Ballard.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Emma Moore tweeted: “Look after our posties!” with a picture of a note pinned to her door that read: “Dear postie/delivery drivers, please knock if you would like a drink or an ice lolly”.

Likewise, for those delivering post to the “number 67 girlies”, a cold drink is just a knock away. AND, they’ve got “spf and rocket lollies”. 

But if the Number 67 Girlies aren’t on your route, many churches and mosques are inviting people of all faiths and none to take a rest in their cool spaces. 

Makki Masjid in Manchester (125 Beresford Road, M13 0TA) will keep its doors on both Monday and Tuesday from 1pm until 10pm “for people to drop in and stay in a nice, pleasant and AC-cooled environment during the hottest parts of the day. 

The mosque welcomes “people from all/ no faiths and backgrounds and we will have separate designated areas for men and for women. We will also provide free bottled water.”

Also in the north-west, Christ Church in Wesham is using TikTok to let their community know everyone is welcome to take a break from the heat inside the cool stone Church. 

@christ.church.wesham Need a break from the heat? #heatwave#church#christian#priest#God#Jesus♬ Originalton – S☆U☆N☆N☆Y

If you have one, put drinks in a cooler or ice bucket to keep them chilled. While back in olden times you’d be eagerly awaiting the morning post, deliveries can come at any time. 

But it’s not just posties that are out working in the heat, bin collectors, street cleaners and parking inspectors (for they are human too after all) will also be out trying to get the job done. 

Even this kindly dog has even managed to set up a cold water station. Stay hydrated out there!

Advertisement

Learn more about our impact

When most people think about the Big Issue, they think of vendors selling the Big Issue magazines on the streets – and we are immensely proud of this. In 2022 alone, we worked with 10% more vendors and these vendors earned £3.76 million in collective income. There is much more to the work we do at the Big Issue Group, our mission is to create innovative solutions through enterprise to unlock opportunity for the 14million people in the UK living in poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
What exactly is a toxic work environment?
Work life

What exactly is a toxic work environment?

Are we witnessing the end of self-employed creatives?
Work

Are we witnessing the end of self-employed creatives?

How to join a union
Trade unions

How to join a union

8 in 10 women say stigma around periods has held them back in their career
Menstruation

8 in 10 women say stigma around periods has held them back in their career

Most Popular

Read All
Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023
1.

Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023

Strike dates 2023: From trains to airports to tube lines, here are the dates to know
2.

Strike dates 2023: From trains to airports to tube lines, here are the dates to know

Suranne Jones opens up about her 'relentless and terrifying' experiences of bullying
3.

Suranne Jones opens up about her 'relentless and terrifying' experiences of bullying

Arctic Monkeys team up with Big Issue to produce unique tour programme
4.

Arctic Monkeys team up with Big Issue to produce unique tour programme