Mansfield District Council has been working with various community groups to ensure there is a network of “warm rooms” where people in need can go in the coming winter months.
The council’s Wellbeing team approached various community organisations and providers who can offer a warm welcome for anyone struggling to heat their homes during the cost of living crisis.
Many of them already run events such as coffee mornings and support groups and were more than willing to be part of the warm rooms scheme in the district to help those who cannot afford to heat their own homes.
The council’s Oak Tree Leisure Centre and its museum are among its own premises where warm rooms are being set up.
The project is part of the council’s response after declaring a Cost of Living Emergency in September.
It has also held a Cost of Living Summit to bring various agencies and organisations together to form a co-ordinated response, and has just completed a series of Cost of Living Roadshows to help signpost those struggling with bills and debts to where they can find support.
The Warm Rooms scheme is running from November and will be reviewed throughout the winter until March.
Cllr Marion Bradshaw, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities, Housing and Wellbeing, said: “We don’t want to see anyone suffering unnecessarily in this district because they can’t afford to turn on their heating.
“These spaces will enable anyone who is feeling cold to come and have a cup of tea and warm up for a couple of hours.
“Many are offering free refreshments or the chance to have a chat, watch TV, read or play board games. Our partners will also be using the Warm Rooms as somewhere people can get advice and support around the cost of living.”
If any organisations would like to be involved in the Warm Rooms scheme, they should email the council’s Health and Wellbeing Team Leader, Dominic Ayton (link opens in email app).
More information about the scheme and about how to deal with rising bills can be found of the council’s Cost of Living web pages (link opens in new window).
Mansfield Museum, Leeming Street, NG18 1NG: Tuesdays to Saturday, 10am to 3pm, tables and chairs, magazine and board games. Free.
The Beacon project, Wood Street, NG18 1QB: Saturdays 10am to 12noon. Warm space with light refreshments and craft activities. Free.
Arena Church, 66 Leeming Street, NG18 1NG: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10am to 12noon. Free.
Open Door Charity Shop and Community Café, 6 Ladybrook Place, NG18 5JP: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9am to 3pm. Free toast, tea and coffee.
Switch Up, Barringer Road, NG18 2DF: Thursdays, 11am to 2pm. Free tea, coffee, cake and chat.
Mansfield Woodhouse Community Development Group, 53 Park Road, NG19 8ER: Second Thursday of each month, 11am to 12noon. Free tea, coffee and biscuits and hearing aid support.
Chesterfield Road Methodist Church, 196 Chesterfield Road South, NG19 7EE: Thursdays, free tea, coffee, cake and chat.
Friends of Bellamy, Trowell Court Community Centre, NG18 4NU: Wednesday afternoons, free tea and coffee.
Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Jubilee Way South, NG18 3RT: Mondays, 1pm to 3pm, from 14 November, free community room warm room and friendship group with free tea and coffee.
Ladybrook Enterprises, Ladybrook Community Centre, Ladybrook Lane, NG18 5JJ: coffee and chat, Wednesdays, 1:30pm to 3pm, and Thursdays, 3pm to 4.30pm, £1 plus drinks; Time for Tea and Me, Thursdays, 4.30pm to 6pm, £3.50.
Vibrant Warsop, Warsop Methodist Church,1 Portland St, NG20 0LZ: Mondays,1pm to 3.30pm, Arts and Crafts group (Adults), £3; Tuesdays, 9am to 12noon, with coffee and chat from 10am to 12noon, £3; Wednesdays, open 9am to 4pm, with Stay and Play for under-5s in the morning, (term time only), £1 per adult; and Family History Group,1pm to 3pm, £3; Thursdays,1.30pm to 3.30pm, Table Tennis Group, £4.
Coopers Pub, Leeming Lane North, Mansfield Woodhouse, NG19 9HR: 12noon till 5pm, pub desk scheme to make use of the pub as a hot desk. £10, including lunch, unlimited soft drinks, tea or coffee; or meeting space, with unlimited tea and coffee, £1.50 per person; chat and natter tables, all day, Monday to Friday, free TV, phone charge, squash, tea and coffee, in return for donation to Mansfield soup kitchen.
