Council announces new "Warm Hubs" across Ashfield
Ashfield District Council is helping support residents with the cost-of-living crisis by setting up ‘Warm Hubs’ for people to visit during the colder winter period.
The Council has teamed up with its leisure partner, Everyone Active, to set up ‘Warms Hubs’ in each of its three leisure centres. Each ‘Warm Hub’ will provide a safe space for a few hours where people can get a free hot drink and biscuit, take part in a fun activity or just have a friendly chat. There is no need to book, people are asked to just inform reception on arrival.
Sessions take place as follows:
- Mondays at Kirkby 10.30am-12pm
- Tuesdays at Hucknall 1.30pm-3pm
- Wednesdays at Lammas 1.30pm-3pm
All sessions will run every week until February 2023. At a Council meeting on 8 December, it was recommended that the Council could look at extending the sessions beyond February 2023.
Leader of the Councill, Cllr Jason Zadrozny said: The significant cost of living rises has meant many residents across our District face uncertainty with their bills this winter. These Warm Hubs will hopefully encourage people who need somewhere safe to go, enjoy some company and receive a hot drink free of charge, to come along.”
Ashfield District Council has been working to address the concerns faced this winter, recently the Feeding Ashfield Network has been developed and provides a unified space where food banks, support services and volunteers can access information and services. This has been recognised as a problem across the nation with many services operating independently as charities or voluntary organisation, but with no single point of information which the Feeding Ashfield Network aims to solve.
Cllr Rachel Madden, Lead Member for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing said: ‘The pressure faced this winter for families and individuals on the lowest incomes or those on benefits is easily overlooked. Most people will feel the pinch this winter, but the most vulnerable members of our community who may not have a voice or means and knowledge to help themselves will be the people it impacts.”
