The new communal warm spaces for people who can’t afford to heat their homes in South Gloucestershire are “totally insufficient” because they will not be open when they’re needed most during evenings or weekends, councillors heard. A total of 17 venues, plus the district’s libraries, have so far signed up to the scheme offering welcome places for residents struggling to pay their energy bills this winter.
But a council meeting heard that they are over-concentrated in Yate, where there are eight – almost half – at the expense of rural areas and that very few stay open after normal working hours. Libraries aside, just one opens on Saturdays – and only for three hours – while the only centre that does not shut before 7pm operates once a week on Thursdays.
South Gloucestershire Council says some of the locations are already planning to increase their opening hours while more are expected to apply to become a community welcome space, which are described as “free, warm and friendly” and are also being set up in Bristol. Former Labour local by-election candidate Sean Rhodes told cabinet members on Monday, November 14: “Clearly weekends and evenings are the times when families with children are going to be most in need of access to warm and welcome spaces when the cost of putting hot food on the table for their children, heating the home, using wifi for homework and having family time watching television together is at its most expensive.
Read more: Communal 'warm places' for people who can't pay heating bills coming to South Gloucestershire
“So heading into winter I’m really concerned that this level of provision is going to be totally insufficient. Does the cabinet have a plan for increasing the level of options for families needing warm space support?
“Does the cabinet have a target for what it believes will provide a base of minimum provision?” Conservative cabinet member for public health and equality of opportunity Cllr Franklin Owusu-Antwi replied that the council had provided a budget for groups to apply for grants to run warm spaces at their venues.
“We believe that subsequent organisations coming forward will also provide opening times for Saturdays and evening times,” he said. “So applications are still open and we are looking for and still receiving more organisations to apply for the funding from £100 to £500.”
A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We are working with local venues and organisations across South Gloucestershire to support a network of community welcome spaces this winter. These warm spaces offer a friendly welcome and are free to use.
“They are often located in a community centre or a town or village hall. Some offer hot drinks, activities and facilities plus information on local financial support available, energy saving tips and government cost-of-living help.
“We are running a promotional campaign to encourage more venues to step forward and join our network so we can expand their reach as widely as possible across the rural and urban areas of South Gloucestershire. Some of the confirmed venues are already planning to increase their opening hours, and as demand increases this may include opening on weekends and evenings.
“We are expecting additional applications as awareness grows, and our community welcome spaces grant has been launched where funding of up to £500 can be applied for to support community organisations interested in setting up their own welcome space. Any organisation looking to find out further information can register their interest and apply here.”
More information about the network of welcome spaces is available here or call 01454 868009. The opening hours of libraries which also host welcome spaces is here.
Read next:
- Communal warm places 'on track' to launch in Bristol this month
- Bristol's 'Welcoming Spaces': Full list as venues open their doors for the colder months
- All the cost of living crisis help available in Bristol
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