Newport council has announced a number of locations around the city which will be used to help those struggling with their energy bills. Residents who are struggling with heating and other essential bills or loneliness are being urged to come to one of the venues over the winter to keep warm, meet others and have a hot drink for free.
The warm hubs in Newport are located in both council-run and other buildings and include community centres, churches, libraries and pubs. The council said it was aware of more than 20 buildings open to residents during the week across the city and has offered grants to organisations in a bid to see more spaces opened up as warm hubs.
Gas and electric costs are now around 95% higher than what they were last winter, despite the UK government introducing its energy price guarantee in September. Households are currently availing of a £400 discount off their energy bills across six months while other support is available to groups such as pensioners and those with disabilities.
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Here is a list of the council-run warm hubs available in Newport as of Monday December 19. As well as providing a warm space for residents and a chance to meet other people, people can also get advice and guidance from community workers and experts from other organisations able to provide cost-of-living support. Warm drinks, access to free Wi-Fi and IT equipment will also be available as well as access to library books and digital resources.
Pill Millennium Centre, Courtybella Terrace - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-5pm
Ringland Community Centre, Ringland Circle - Mondays 9am-5pm
Maesglas Community Centre, Bideford Road - Mondays 9am-5pm
Gaer Community Centre, Gaer Road - Wednesdays 9am-5pm
Bettws Community Centre, Bettws Shopping Centre - Wednesdays 9am-5pm
Somerton RASCAL Hope Centre, Poplar Road - Thursdays 9am-5pm
Alway Community Centre, Aberthaw Avenue - Fridays 9am-5pm
Other non-council venues include:
St Mary’s Institute, Stow Hill (organised by All Saints) - free refreshments and CAB also supporting – Mondays 10.30am to 3.30pm
Maindee Library - Mondays 2.30pm-5pm, Wednesdays 10am-5pm, Fridays 2.30pm-4.30pm, Saturdays 10am-12noon
St Andrew’s Church, Somerton Road, Lliswerry - Mondays 9.30am-12.30pm and Thursdays 10.30am-1.30pm. A cup of something hot or just to come in out of the cold
Lliswerry Baptist Church, Camperdown Road - Mondays and Fridays 12pm-3pm. Free refreshments available
St Mary’s Church, Malpas - first Monday of every month 10.30am-12.30pm, dementia friendly café. Free tea, coffee, cakes, jigsaws and songs
Malpas Community Centre - first and third Tuesday of every month, 1pm-3pm. Somewhere warm to meet others, have a cuppa and a friendly chat
Bethesda Baptist Church, Cefn Road, Rogerstone - Fridays, 11.30am-2.30pm. Free hot drinks, soup and toasted sandwich WIFI, accessible toilets, charging facilities. Child-friendly
The Dodger Public House, Chepstow Road - Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12noon-3pm. Tea and coffee
Stow Park Community Centre, Brynhyfryd Road - Tuesday to Thursday, 10am-3pm. Café area being used as a warm space for people to come and be, have a chat and a cuppa
Gaer Community Network, Gaer Community Centre - Thursdays, 11am-12.15pm (from January 2023). Music, memories and chat every Thursday aimed at over 50s. Free tea/coffee and toast
Bethel Community Church, The Gap Centre, Stow Hill - Fridays, 1.30pm-5pm providing tea/coffee and some low key activities such as board games
Beechwood Presbyterian Church, Chepstow Road - Fridays, 10am-12noon. Free refreshments available
Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council, said: “Supporting each other is very important, particularly during a time of crisis. People can be struggling not only with paying bills but also feeling isolated and not knowing where to turn.
“I’m pleased therefore that we have been able to develop an offer that will provide much more than a warm space. They will also provide companionship, activities, and advice from our community workers about other support which might be available and how to access it.”
Councillor Debbie Harvey, cabinet member for community wellbeing, said: “The current cost-of-living crisis means that many people will be struggling to heat their homes this winter. We hope that welcoming them into our community buildings will help ease those costs a bit.
“It is also fantastic to see that other organisations are also establishing warm spaces to help members of their local communities and I would like to thank GAVO for helping us to distribute funds that we hope will encourage others to do the same.”
For more information on warm hubs including if you're interested in applying to be one click here.
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