Churches, libraries and community centres open doors
Libraries, churches and community centres in the uphill area of Lincoln are opening their doors to offer warm spaces, drinks and company in the face of the cost of living crisis.
Community leaders have come together under the Warm Rooms initiative after local volunteers, councillors and congregations met to discuss concerns about how people would cope with winter fuel bills this year.
They have compiled a list of spaces people can go on almost every day of the week to find warmth.
The initiative was announced during a meeting of Lincolnshire County Council’s Adults and Community Well-being Committee on Wednesday.
The councils, residents and businesses are facing rising costs, including fuel and energy, and other dangers to their income.
On top of this, local authorities are bound to face uncertainty around what budgets they will have going forward, due to political turmoil, including four chancellors in the last four months and a new incoming prime minister.
Conservative Councillor Nicola Clarke told members: “There’s a lot out there that we’ve put together in preparation for what could be a very difficult time and we will continue to do that as a group of communities working together.
“It’s been a really good project and so thank you very much to all those volunteers right across that area, who go above and beyond to make sure their communities are safe and looked after.”
Following the meeting, she said: “The idea is that everyone is very welcome.
“Please don’t be put off by the fact that it looks like a list of churches; local landmark churches have additional community rooms attached to them and a whole host of the most spectacular volunteers and communities that use them and value them.
“Community is a vital support network, and you will find a warm welcome, safety and kindness, and help if needed.”
The scheme is supported by Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis who said: “Of course warm spaces are far from a panacea, not everyone will be able to get to warm spaces, not everyone will want to, and people will still need to heat their homes sometimes.
“Yet I think they will turn out to be crucial extra help to get a decent number of vulnerable people through the winter.”
Here are the days and locations the warm rooms are available.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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