People living in one part of Merseyside have been offered "warm spaces" in response to the cost of living crisis.
Sefton Council confirmed that it has started offering spaces where people can gather to get warm without fearing about electricity and fuel bills. From today, Sefton Warm Spaces, which included libraries, community centre, luncheon clubs, charities and places of worship will be open to all.
The venues are open on different days and at different times ranging from morning to evening. A dedicated web page has been set up where people can check the details of the warm spaces as well as look at the interactive map. Each space will be heated, safe and friendly according to the council with it being a place where people can spend time reading, studying or chatting.
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Some venues have been labelled "enhanced warm spaces" which will off hot drinks and food, as well as activities and other services such as free wi-fi.
A Sefton Warm Space Charter has also been drawn up which guarantees everyone will get a warm welcome, will be treated equally with dignity and respect and has a right to be warm in a safe space. The charter also states that organisers will not tell anyone about people needing a warm space and that it doesn’t matter why people need to be there.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for communities and housing said: “Fortunately, we have had a mild autumn so far but as the weather gets colder, I am pleased that in partnership with Sefton CVS and groups and organisations across the Borough, we now have this network of Warm Places.
“Sadly, they will be much needed by those people across the Borough who are in real fear of putting on their heating in this national cost of living crisis.”
Angela White OBE, chief executive of Sefton CVS said: “Sefton’s voluntary, community and faith (VCF) sector have come together to provide essential support to Sefton residents across the borough through the warm spaces initiative in these challenging and unprecedented times. Working in partnership with Sefton Council, Sefton CVS and the VCF sector, community spaces will be made available during the Winter to provide warmth, companionship, information and community support.
“Looking out and caring for our local residents and communities is vital when so many are feeling so worried and isolated.”
Cllr Hardy added: “While I am so proud of the way that groups and organisations have stepped up to meet this challenge, I am dismayed that in one of the richest countries in the world, we are having to put in place measures that help people in Sefton with the cost of simply surviving.”
For more information on the initiative, click here.
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