Herefordshire Council launches directory of warm spaces ready for winter

Talk Community at Herefordshire Council has launched an online directory of warm spaces ready for the winter.

The warm spaces listed in the directory are open to anyone who may be struggling with the increase in the cost of living and will be completely free of charge to residents looking for somewhere to keep warm and well during the cold weather.

Venues such as Herefordshire’s libraries are already signed up to the warm spaces scheme and offer additional services such as free wifi, computer access and plenty of interesting books to read.

Currently Ross-on-Wye Library is the only one listed for the town.

A number of the countywide Talk Community Hubs are also listed in the directory. As well as a warm welcome, people will be able to access up to date health and wellbeing information and details on services and activities within their local community and across the county.

Councillor Ange Tyler, Cabinet Member for the community, said: “We know that many people are worried about making ends meet this winter due to the rising cost of energy bills and the rapid rise in the cost of living.

“The warm spaces initiative is part of a range of measures being put in place to support residents throughout the winter months. The venues offer a safe environment for people, where they can go to warm up, see a friendly face and access information and support on a wide range of topics from money worries to local activities, if they need it.

“We are also appealing to voluntary, community and social enterprise groups that can offer local people a warm space, to sign up to be listed in the directory on the warm spaces webpage.”

To find out more about warm spaces in Herefordshire, including the venue opening times, visit the Talk Community website: www.talkcommunitydirectory.org/warmspace