Warm bank map: Your nearest place to keep warm as winter bites and energy prices rise

An IT developer has created a handy new website listing warm banks across the country as households struggle to cope with the cost of living crisis and plummeting winter temperatures.

Jason Baldry, 35, who works as the head of creative and IT for St Thomas' Church in Norwich, has set up the scheme to show people where they can go to keep warm if they cannot afford to heat their homes.

The website, which can be found at WarmSpaces.org, allows any businesses or organisations with a warm bank across the UK to register their own spaces, which he then adds to an interactive map.

Mr Baldry maintains the website on voluntary basis with a few friends, and said he spends most of his evenings adding new warm banks to the map.

An IT developer has set up a new website to help people find warm banks (PA)

He says he was spurred into action after growing worried about the crisis in the lead-up to winter, and has received huge numbers of emails from people seeking help since subzero temperatures descended on the UK last week.

Since going live, the map has now taken on over 1,000 listings - and the founder says submissions are "still coming in thick and fast", giving people more chance of finding a warm bank near them.

The interactive map is aimed at helping people who cannot afford to heat their homes this winter (PA)

Mr Badlry, however, firmly believes that the website "shouldn't have to exist", telling the PA news agency: "We're the world's fifth largest economy. It's an indictment of the government, frankly.

"I wanted to do something in response, aim some of that discontent with the situation at something productive.

Mr Baldry has blasted the government and says the website "shouldn't have to exist" (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

"I think there's a danger that we go a few winters and energy prices stay as they are and it's like this is normal. This cannot be normal. This cannot be what we accept."

But Mr Baldry is also trying to put a positive spin on the map by using it to try to tackle other crises facing the country - and even believes similar projects could be used to combat global warming.

The IT developer believes future maps could be targeted at global warming or loneliness (Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

"People sharing warmth in spaces that are already warm. I think there's a good conversation to be had around that and the sort of community element that we can bring into it.", he said.

He also says the resource can help in the fight against loneliness, with people meeting up using the map having potential benefits to mental health.

Reflecting on its alternative uses, he said "after all this is done" the website "might end up being something like that."