At CCB we know through our work with rural village halls that they can always be relied upon to offer familiar, safe, and friendly environments which communities can enjoy to get together for a huge variety of events.

We are only too acutely aware through our Energy & Water Advice project of the need to provide local ‘warm hubs’ due to the current cost of living and energy crisis which is having a huge impact on households to effectively heat their homes

‘Warm Hubs’ have been created by our sister rural community council in Northumberland – Community Action Northumberland, they have shown that Warm Hubs can provide a much-needed crucial resource where people can meet in a warm environment to enjoy refreshments, social activity, information, advice, and the company of other people. The short film below outlines how these war hubs can work, though they may work differently depending on the local need.

“The aim of the warm hub is to provide support to those most vulnerable this winter to help mitigate the cost of living crisis.”

“The hubs offer a warm, friendly and inclusive environment with access to hot food, tea and coffee (sometimes lunch); somewhere to socialise, take part in activities and receive information on how to reduce bills, access financial support, and stay healthy and well.”

We know there will be an increased need for this kind of offering in isolated rural areas especially in the coming winter and next year or two due to the cost of fuel and rise in cost of living generally. We are currently scoping possible funding solutions and are actively seeking support so that we can start to set bring Warm Hubs to rural communities in Berkshire.

Village Hall Charity Trustees are telling CCB’s Community Buildings Advisor, Kate, the following:

• A warm hub may be needed in their area
• Village Hall Charities are treated as businesses and as such are experiencing energy price hikes which have a big impact as they are not ‘profit’ making businesses – so who will fund the cost of energy for opening a Hub?
• Warm Hubs would need managing – Trustees usually just hire out the hall to local groups. It would be good to have a county co-ordinator to support the governance issues around Hubs e.g. need for safeguarding? Food hygiene? Risk assessments etc.
• Warm Hubs could be supported by volunteers – could CCB partner with a CVS to find volunteers?
• If providing food or hot drinks, this would need funding

Look out for further information soon regarding this and if you are interested in supporting us or partnering with us in this project please contact us on admin@ccberks.org.uk