A number of community groups across Stirling have set up a network of regular spaces where residents can go to warm up, have a cup of tea or something to eat and charge their devices free of charge.
The cost-of-living crisis is causing enormous concern for residents across Stirling who are unable to heat their homes due to recent increases in energy prices.
To address this need, community groups have organised warm spaces across Stirling, from Drymen to Bridge of Allan.
There are more warm spaces opening all the time across Stirling, but those currently running include: Bannockburn, Ladywell Church, Thursdays 10am,-4pm; Drymen Village Hall, Mondays noon-3pm, Tuesdays 2-5pm, Fridays 10am-5pm; Callander Kirk Hall, Wednesdays 12.30-2.30pm; Cambusbarron church hall, Tuesdays 1-5pm, Wednesdays 9am-5pm; City centre - SBC Life Centre, Murray Place, Mondays to Thursdays 10am-3pm; Dunblane Cathedral Halls, Mondays to Thursdays 10am-3pm; Bridge of Allan, Lecropt Kirk, Fridays noon-3pm; Fallin Alpha Centre, Thursdays 6-8pm, Killin Community Room, Mondays 10am-noon; Shutters Coffee Bothy, Killin, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am-noon and Thursdays 2-4pm; Stirling Community Enterprise, Raploch, Mondays noon-2pm; Raploch Community Campus, Mondays 1-4pm, Tuesdays 10am-noon and 2.30-4pm, Wednesdays noon-3pm, Thursdays and Fridays 10am-2.30pm; St Mark’s Church, Raploch, Thursday mornings.
Evelyn Tweed MSP recently visited the Thursday Grub Hub at the Alpha Centre in Fallin, which provides food, games and a warm space for anyone to socialise in a welcoming and supportive environment. The initiative is being run jointly by Fallin Community Voice and Polmaise Community Council every Thursday evening between 6pm and 8pm throughout the winter.
Billy Bruce, chairperson of Polmaise Community Council said: “The Thursday Grub Hub has been really well used since we opened at the start of November. Our busiest night to date saw around 60 people come into the Alpha Centre for a heat and a bite to eat. We’re now seeing regular visits from some residents who are enjoying spending time together.
“I anticipate that we will see more people attending as we get into the depths of winter and pressures of the costs of heating are realised. Our volunteers are the backbone of the Thursday Grub Hub without them we wouldn’t be able to continue so I want to thank them for all their support and help.”
Alex Fraser, vice-chairperson of Polmaise Community Council says, “We have received a lot of support locally especially from our volunteers, local councillors and local MSP, Evelyn Tweed.
“We would prefer not to need this facility at all however with costs rising and the stress and worry that comes with it also on the rise, we had to take some action to help where we could.
“The Alpha Centre is a great space that gives us flexibility to provide a lot of different activities during the evening including ball games for the kids, a space to play dominoes, spaces to socialise with neighbours and friends and quieter spaces where people can just watch a bit of TV and charge their phone. I’d encourage people to come down and see what is on offer.”
Evelyn Tweed MSP said: “It was great to visit the Thursday Grub Hub and see the fantastic work of the volunteers of Fallin Community Voice and Polmaise Community Council. The residents I spoke to had been attending every week and they were really appreciative of not only getting a warm meal but also the chance to meet people in the local community and spend time socialising together.
“I welcome the efforts that are being made by organisations across Stirling to provide warm banks. These proactive measures ensure that local residents have somewhere warm to go and will ease the pressure on already tight household budgets. The community spirit is commendable during a very difficult time where energy costs are unaffordable for many.
“It is, however, unacceptable that these measures are necessary.”
