Visit a Welcome Space if you need help this Winter.

Wakefield Council’s ‘Welcome Warm Spaces’ are open in libraries and elsewhere offering residents safe, warm and friendly places to visit.

With the cost-of-living challenge still affecting residents across the district, some people have concerns about turning on their heating as the weather grows colder. 

It’s the third year running that the Council has worked with the Residents First Group, to set up its Warm Welcome Spaces initiative. 

Last year libraries offered almost 40,000 warm drinks out to residents, 297 people were invited to join in board game sessions and 39 people received additional advice and support.

During opening hours, residents are welcome to stay as long as they wish and have access to thousands of books, free internet and computer access and seasonal events and activities.

Families with children are also welcome to use warm spaces at Family Hubs, starting from 4 November.  One thousand people attended a welcome space activity last year. Find your local hub at Family Hubs – Wakefield Families Together.

For residents worried about the rising cost of living, support is also available at Help at the Hub venues across the district. They are also welcoming spaces from 4 November.  They are places where people can access help and advice on a range of issues including money, budgeting and benefits, jobs, skills and housing and other support services. To find your local venue visit: www.wakefield.gov.uk/HATH.

To find your nearest Welcome Space visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/welcomespace.

For information

Warm Welcome Spaces is a national movement that encourages local community spaces to open their doors and encourage residents to make new friends and connect with their friends in a space that is warm and free to attend. If you run community activities and want to register your organisation as a warm welcome space, visit https://www.warmwelcome.uk/

Help at the Hubs is a service provided by the Residents First Group, made up of organisations such as Wakefield Council, Citizens Advice Wakefield District, WDH Cash Wise and the Department for Work and Pensions who are working together to help Wakefield residents. Especially as they face higher bills, and an increase in goods prices that are putting many household budgets under huge pressure.  

In 2021, an estimated 23,679 households in our district were living in fuel poverty. A household is considered fuel poor when they are living in a property with an energy efficiency rating of band D, or below with a disposable income below the poverty line.

Cost of living support is available at www.wakefield.gov.uk/costofliving