Health and wellbeing in Nottingham during the 2022 heatwave

In this article, Dr Charles Ogunbode, Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology at University of Nottingham, explains the impacts of the 2022 heatwave on Nottingham communities and recommends effective coping strategies for similar future scenarios. The information here forms part of a more detailed report which is freely available online.

Read the full report free online

The threat and effects of rising temperatures

In summer 2022, the UK experienced an unprecedented heatwave where temperatures breached 40°C for the first time in recorded history. A national emergency covering large parts of England was declared due to the extreme heat. Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent in the UK in future, as a result of climate change, with a greater likelihood of temperatures reaching thresholds that pose a threat to human health.

Nottingham is very susceptible to negative effects from extreme heat. The city was ranked fifth, among 156 local authorities in England, on a list of those with the highest number of neighbourhoods needing to be prioritised for adaptation to hot weather. This ranking was based on an evaluation of factors like the demographic composition of different areas (e.g., proportion of elderly residents, toddlers, and those living with long-term conditions), average distance from healthcare facilities, and nature of the housing stock. 

The knowledge gap

While previous research helped identify areas of Nottingham that would potentially face higher risks during hot periods based on social and geographical data, there was no record of people’s lived experiences of dealing with heat. Consequently, we had limited insight into avenues for interventions to enhance resilience and reduce risks of negative impacts among Nottingham communities during hot weather. The summer of 2022 provided an opportunity to address this gap.

In collaboration with Nottingham City Council, I led a study designed to identify the impacts people experienced during the peak of the heatwave in mid-July 2022, and how they coped, across home and work environments. This involved a survey of 500 Nottingham residents and in-depth interviews with a diverse group of 45 people including 20 Nottingham-based professionals working in hospitals, social care organisations, and the emergency services. 

What did we learn from this study?

Our findings revealed wide-ranging negative impacts of the heatwave on people in Nottingham (see full details on pg. 19 – 25 of the project report).

Among our 500 survey participants:

• 71% experienced at least one physical health effect including headaches, dehydration, sunburn, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping;
• a further 55% reported experiencing mental health impacts;
• and 31% lost earnings or were unable to work due to the heat.

Workers in precarious jobs and zero hours contracts were especially likely to experience a loss of income as employers cancelled shifts without pay.

Health, social care, and emergency services professionals witnessed increased demand for care and support during the heatwave. They also experienced difficulties with operating effectively in the heat due to inadequate cooling facilities and challenges caused by personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniforms that were unsuitable for hot weather.

Importantly, Nottingham residents showed initiative and community spirit in their responses to the heatwave. People looked out for themselves and others around them, especially children, elderly relatives, colleagues, pets, and vulnerable people in the community.

Most participants in our study felt they coped well with the heatwave, but many also expressed concerns about their ability to cope if the hot weather had lasted for a longer period. Few people had spontaneous recollections of receiving health advice from official sources during the heatwave. The most common information sources were social media, and family, friends or colleagues. 

How can this help us in future?

Our study provided unique insight into Nottingham residents’ multi-faceted experiences of living through an unprecedented heatwave. Within the context of Nottingham City Council’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2028 (CN28), the study contributes to building an understanding of how Nottingham is impacted by climate change and extreme weather events. It also identifies opportunities for strengthening community resilience and lessening the negative impacts of extreme heat events on vulnerable groups.

Based on our research findings, recommendations to the local authority, organisations, businesses and health practitioners for enabling effective coping and strengthening resilience to heatwaves among Nottingham communities include:

1. Support neighbourliness and community spirit among Nottingham residents to encourage people to help others during extreme heat events.
2. Disseminate heat-related health information in multiple formats/languages, and work with trusted community members to ensure the information reaches the most vulnerable groups.
3. Review, identify and retain COVID-19 adaptations that facilitate effective coping during heatwaves (e.g., working flexibly, working from home, taking plenty of breaks).
4. Protect economically disadvantaged groups (e.g., workers on zero hours contracts) from disproportionate impacts by offering paid time off or other financial support when work is cancelled due to hot weather.
5. Offer centralised support and advice on how people can look after themselves and others in the community during extreme heat events. Particularly, information should be provided about what to do to help people who are badly affected or made unwell by heat.

Next steps?

We are building on this research with efforts to enhance capacity for gathering reliable and representative data on lived experiences of the impacts of extreme weather and climate change on wellbeing and productivity across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Access to good quality data will enable the local authorities, as well as businesses, organisations and community groups adapt more effectively to the long-term challenge of climate change. It will also facilitate a better understanding of the specific resources and interventions needed to enhance the resilience of the most vulnerable segments of our communities.

As a first step in this process, we are organising a networking event in April 2024 for stakeholders across Nottinghamshire to delve into insights from the research and explore opportunities to collaborate around sharing data, resources and expertise in service of promoting local climate change adaptation and resilience. If you represent an organisation, community group or business in Nottingham and would like to take part in our event, or simply learn more about the research, please contact Charles Ogunbode (charles.ogunbode@nottingham.ac.uk).