7.10.22
Cardiff's Hubs and Libraries network will be providing warm welcome spaces from next week.

From Monday October 10, residents concerned about rising costs of heating their own homes over the winter months will be able to visit their local hub or library and find a warm welcome in store.

The warm welcome spaces are part of the Council's response to supporting city residents through the cost of living crisis by providing heated spaces in its community buildings where people can pop in for a free hot drink, have a chat with staff and others, and if they wish, find out about any services available in the hub that could support them.

People are welcome to call into any of the city's hubs or libraries during their usual opening hours. Visit https://cardiffhubs.co.uk/ for details. (Butetown Pavilion's warm welcome space will be open from 9am to 5pm).

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne, 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.

"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."

For cost of living support from the Council's Money Advice team, call the Adviceline on 029 2087 1071, email advicehub@cardiff.gov.uk or visit www.cardiffmoneyadvice.co.uk

In addition to warm welcome spaces at hubs and libraries, the Council is working with Cardiff Third Sector Council (C3SC) to offer small grants to support third sector groups that either wish to upscale their services or deliver their own warm spaces, providing a network of support for people in the city.

Sheila Hendrickson-Brown, CEO of Cardiff Third Sector Council (C3SC) said: "We know many people are struggling to find answers to the current cost of living crisis, and we want to do what we can to help people to come together for company and to stay warm.  We are pleased to be working with the Council, building on the partnership work developed through the Covid crisis, to help create a directory of the warm places available to residents, and share this alongside details of the advice and support that is available for people, communities and for voluntary community groups to help them deal with the pressures."

 The Loneliness and Isolation Fund will provide funding of up to £1,500 for groups wishing to expand their provision and is available for groups to cover costs such as venue hire, promotion and marketing, or to deliver services in new ways - such as upgrading digital subscriptions to deliver more services on-line or on a hybrid basis, or minor adaptations to premises to offer more services face to face.

The Warm Spaces Fund will be available to groups providing venues well known to local communities - such as community centres, community venues, places of worship - and will contribute towards the costs of providing spaces for people to meet, socialise and enjoy refreshments but most importantly to stay warm. Grants of up to £500 will be available.  

Both programmes are now open for applications with a deadline for submission of 5pm on October 24.  Groups funded under these schemes will be expected to have their details included in a directory and upload their information on this website  https://www.warmwelcome.uk/ to register the Warm Spaces information for each locationhighlighting the locations of warm spaces in Cardiff.  

Applications for funding from both programmes will be considered.  

For more information, Click here
 

To download the application form, Click here