All of Cardiff's hubs and libraries will be providing 'warm, welcome spaces' from next week as the council looks to tackle the cost of living crisis. From Monday, October 10, you'll be able to visit your local library or one of the rebranded 'hubs' for a free hot drink and to take advantage of the heating without having to worry about the cost of switching it on at home.
The warm spaces will also serve as a chance to have a chat with staff about the other support services the hub can provide. They'll all be open in the hubs and libraries' normal opening hours.
Councillor Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: "Warm welcome spaces are just part of a package of support we are working on for residents to combat the cost of living pressures affecting everyone right now. Our hubs and libraries are thriving community spaces with lots on offer so we want to encourage anyone struggling to heat their home to pop in and enjoy the warm welcome. It will be a chance to meet other people in the community, read the paper or pick up a book from the library, or to take part in some of the many varied activities our hubs and libraries host regularly throughout the week."
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She continued: "Our friendly staff can also help people with their cost of living concerns - not just about the rising cost of energy, but by supporting people to claim everything they are entitled to, accessing food if that's a worry, or providing advice and practical solutions for any debts they may have.
"We're here to help everyone through this crisis, no matter what their situation - renters or homeowners, people in work, retired people - everyone. We're all feeling the pinch, so I strongly urge anyone struggling to get in touch as soon as possible so we can help with your worries." You can get more Cardiff news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
The council is also offering grants to groups which want to deliver their own warm spaces or improve their services, through two new funds. The Loneliness and Isolation Fund, delivered jointly with the Cardiff Third Sector Council, will give up to £1,500 to groups to cover venue hire, promotion and marketing, or working to improve the availability of either the digital or face-to-face side of their services.
And the Warm Spaces Fund will give up to £500 to local venues including community centres and places of worship to provide their own areas. Both programmes are open for applications and the deadline for submission is 5pm on Monday, October 24
The full list of hubs and libraries in Cardiff:
- Butetown Hub
- Butetown Pavilion - Youth Hub
- Canton Library
- Capel i Bawb, Cardiff Royal Infirmary
- Cathays Branch and Heritage Library
- Central Library Hub
- Ely and Caerau Hub
- Fairwater Hub
- Grangetown Hub
- Llandaff North and Gabalfa Hub
- Llanederyn Powerhouse Hub
- Llanishen Hub
- Llanrumney Hub
- Penylan Library and Community Centre
- Radyr Hub
- Rhiwbina Hub
- Rhydypennau Hub
- Rumney Partnership Hub
- St Mellons Hub
- STAR Hub
- Whitchurch Hub
You can find out your local hub or library's opening hours here. For cost of living support from the council, call the advice line on 02920871071, email advicehub@cardiff.gov.uk or visit the council's Money Advice website.
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