DURING late 2022 and early 2023, Conwy County Borough Council supported the Welsh Government initiative to bring Warm Hubs into the heart of Conwy.
With many people set to struggle to keep their homes at a healthy temperature over the winter, particularly those people at home all day, the elderly and the vulnerable, Warm Hubs were established to offer a safe, accessible and warm environment during the day to help those facing extreme fuel poverty.
Back in September, the Welsh Government announced an initial £1m of funding across Wales to support communities to develop Warm Hubs or expand and enhance existing Warm Hub provisions.
Conwy County Borough Council were successful in securing just under £40,000 of this funding to distribute through the Warm Hub scheme to offer safe and warm places within the local community that people could go to keep warm during the Winter months.
Working in partnership with CVSC, 38 community groups across the County were successful in applying for the funding and provided a warm and friendly welcome to all who visited, offering free hot drinks, opportunities to socialise and a place to ask for help, if needed.
Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Leader and Cabinet member for Economic Development and Communities said, “We were pleased to have secured funding for the Warm Hub scheme. It was heartening to see so many community groups applying for the funding and willing to open their facilities to provide a warm safe place during these difficult times. What we also saw was that bringing people together and tackling isolation was also a huge benefit”.
A spokesperson from St John’s Methodist Church Conwy said, “The hub became a warm, safe space for all sorts of reasons, and all sorts of people. Those living alone appreciate the sense of belonging, and an opportunity to meet friends and new people”.
“We are continuing to explore ways of continuing through the summer with outdoor events offering activities and a meal through a BBQ or Picnic, in association with other community groups. The pressure on heating needs may ease during the summer, but for some the cost of feeding remains challenging. Many good connections have also be forged through the warm space, and we are keen to enable this community to continue meeting and flourishing”.
It wasn’t just the Community groups that played their part, Conwy County Borough Council Libraries were also integral in the provision. Many of the libraries noted that the main things to have come from the warm hubs were the new friendship groups that had been forged by what were previously isolated individuals. All of whom are still in contact and regularly meet up to this day, calling each other to check they are feeling ok or if they need anything”.
Cllr Aaron Wynne, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said, “Our Libraries also provided a warm welcome over the winter months. Our 10 libraries have amazing facilities that provide much appreciated resources, activities, information and advice for our residents all year round, and they continue to be available for the public to use.”
