With the cost-of-living crisis, the terms Warm Hub and Warm Space are in the media spotlight. Seen as places where people can go to stay warm when they may be unable to heat their homes.

Village Halls are being called upon to open as Warm Hubs, however our Community Buildings Advisor, Kate, thinks it is important to understand what is meant by a Warm Hub, and if becoming a Warm Hub is not an option for the Village Hall, then perhaps offering the Hall from time to time as a Warm Space may be another option.

What is a Warm Hub?

Take a look at this video for a great case study of a War Hub launched by our sister organisation Northumberland CAN

The characteristics that differentiate Warm Hubs from any other warm place include the following:

Available regularly

• Open to all

• Hall subsidised to cover the cost (via the council or other funding)

• Governance checks are essential to ensure that all compliance requirements have been met, such as food hygiene and safeguarding

• Risk assessments were completed ensuring that different groups can use the facility safely e.g. parents with small children attending and vulnerable adults – how to keep everyone safe

• Warm Hubs should be coordinated or run by someone who can work with an appropriate team of volunteers

• All volunteers should be properly briefed and receive appropriate training, e.g. dementia awareness, hygiene & basic safeguarding etc.

• Hot food and possibly a meal available

• Warm Hubs provide access to appropriate service providers able to offer advice and guidance on topics including fuel poverty advice, cheap & healthy cooking etc.

What is a Warm Space?

• A warm place where local people can gather once or twice a week
• Chance of a hot drink and a chat
• Ideally free/donation or low cost

Places can register and promote Warm Spaces using some of the links below:

Here are a couple of online searchable maps, the biggest seems to be https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space  Warm Welcome has a lot of advice on setting up a space including training resources & branding another site is https://warmspaces.org/

We will be looking at how we might support Halls to become Warm Hubs/Warm Spaces in the months to come. Contact kate.meads@ccberks.org.uk if you would like to be involved in piloting a Warm Hub or Warm Space.