With temperatures continuing to fall we have announced that more than 40 warm spaces will open in North Tyneside this week.
With warm welcome spaces located in all corners of the borough, residents are invited to access warm, comfortable spaces this Winter.
From access to free hot drinks, Wi-Fi, and computers to activities like bingo, crafts, cookery lessons and toddler groups, the spaces offer much more than just a warm building.
Since launching in 2022, more than 43,000 people have visited a warm space in the borough and alongside its libraries and customer first centres, we have funded 20 voluntary and community sector organisations to open their doors to residents.
They’ll be offering everything from soup and low-cost meals through to social activities like board games, group walks and film showings.
These local spaces are designed for the community, there’s no criteria to attend and the support is available to everyone.
The warm welcome sessions hosted in the our library and customer first centres continue to be open to anyone. You don’t need to be a library member to visit, residents can stay as long as they like.
Alongside its regular opening hours when residents can find a space to study, shelter from the weather or access books, computers, games, puzzles and jigsaws, each venue hosts a warm welcome where free hot drinks are available.
Dame Norma Redfearn DBE, Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, has shared her delight at the announcement: “It continues to be a difficult time for many of our residents and as we head into another winter, I’m pleased that we are able to relaunch our Warm Welcome scheme to ensure everyone who needs it has access to a warm, comfortable space.
“The scheme has become so much more than just a warm place, they’re a place where residents can go to catch up with friends, meet new people, access support, learn new skills or even just relax for a while.
“It’s great to see these venues open across the borough right in the heart of our communities and offering the vital support than many people need.
“Warm Welcomes are just one part of our commitment to helping residents through this ongoing crisis, we have dedicated support in place and our teams are working to support anyone in need.”
Eight schools in North Tyneside have received funding to host Warm Welcomes for their school communities, with additional activities including cooking sessions to be launched soon.
The latest group of Warm Welcomes will run from November 2023 to April 2024, with £75,000 funding allocated by the us for the scheme.
A full list of venues, opening times and activities can be found here.
The announcement is part of our ongoing commitment to tackling the cost-of-living crisis, including increasing food support in the borough, funding supermarket vouchers for children on free-school meals and introducing new funding schemes to support residents.
Full details about the support available for North Tyneside’s residents and businesses throughout the cost-of-living crisis can be found here.
