Eight warm banks - Warm Welcome Spaces - open in Birmingham in Northfield, Billesley Sutton Coldfield & more

Eight warm banks - also called Warm Welcome Spaces have opened in Birmingham to support those affected by rising energy bil
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Eight Warm Welcome Spaces have opened in Birmingham to provide support for those struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.

Birmingham City Council has opened the community hubs at locations across the city to provide spaces where people can keep warm with the risisng energy costs affecting people across the city. The spaces will also provide opportunities for people to take part in activities, access services and get practical advice and support on the current economic crisis, as well as meet members of their community.

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The council is working with a partnership of voluntary and community sector organisations to help grow a network of spaces for people to use and visit during the winter period and beyond.

The sites have opened after the energy regulator Ofgem raised the energy price cap for bills in October, a move which has taken the average gas and electricity bill to £2,500 and a scheduled 80% rise the cap to £3,549 a year.

Birmingham residents are amongst some of the hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis. Data analysed by BirminghamWorld shows that the cost of household bills and mortgage payments for a typical family in Birmingham was set to hit a staggering £1,325 this month (October). This is £269 more per month than a year ago, a 25% rise.

And recent research from the debt collection company Lowell and the US-based Urban Institute think-tank show that Hodge Hill, Ladywood and Erdington, are in the top five constituencies in the UK set to be hardest hit by the cost-of-living crisis. Only Liverpool Walton and Middlesborough are above them. This means many Birmingham residents are far more vulnerable to the further economic shock of the cost-of-living crisis.

Warm Welcome Spaces opening across BirminghamWarm Welcome Spaces opening across Birmingham
Warm Welcome Spaces opening across Birmingham

What are Warm Welcome Spaces, also called warm banks?

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A Warm Welcome Space will essentially work in the same way as a food bank, but instead of people visiting for food and other supplies, they will visit a place to keep warm.

As energy bills continue to skyrocket, it is expected that these will become more and more essential in the coming months. The Warm Welcome Campaign aims to support and champion the community response to the cost-of-living crisis across the UK. The aim of the campaign is to equip thousands of organisations to provide a warm welcome to everyone who might need it this winter

Working with churches and other faith groups, civil society organisations, businesses and Local Authorities, to create informative spaces at locations for people who need support during these tough times.

A person checks their smart meterA person checks their smart meter
A person checks their smart meter

What exactly do the Warm Welcome Spaces offer?

These spaces will be available for people to use and visit during the winter period and beyond.

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There are several existing Warm Welcome Spaces within local communities across the city. Warm Welcome Spaces are inclusive and non-judgmental and they are also heated and free to access. People will be able to get advice on how to cope during the cost-of-living crisis, and will also be provided with information on how to get help.

The services at each space will vary, but will include:

  • information on further support and available guidance
  • opportunities to participate in activities and learn new things
  • free internet access, computers and charging points
  • a friendly environment to connect with others within the community
Ladywood Leisure CentreLadywood Leisure Centre
Ladywood Leisure Centre

Where are they?

So far, the council has set up eight Warm Welcome centres across Birmingham, although more are also expected to open in the future. At the moment, the hubs are located at:

  • Beeches Pool and Fitness Centre, Perry Barr
  • Billesley Tennis and Fitness Centre, Billesley
  • Ladywood Leisure Centre, Ladywood
  • NAF (Northfield Arts Forum) Caf, Northfield
  • Northfield Leisure Centre, Northfield
  • Spitfire Advice and Support Service, Castle Vale
  • Stechford Leisure Centre, Stechford
  • Wyndley Leisure Centre, Sutton Coldfield

How can I sign up?

You can register by completing an online form here

What has the council said about the sites?

Cllr John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety & Equalities, said: “Following our declaration of a Cost of Living emergency in Birmingham, I am glad to see this network taking shape, which will help everyone struggling in the current climate.

“The Warm Welcome network is more than about keeping warm, it’s about providing space for communities to come together, to support one another as well as providing access to advice and information that will help them cope during the winter months and beyond.

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“We recognise that there is already a wealth of existing spaces and activity within the city, and we want to help connect the people of Birmingham to this. If you already provide this type of space, or would like to, the council would love to hear from you and ask that you register to the Birmingham Warm Welcome network so that you are included in our directory.”

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