Warm banks at libraries to help tackle rising costs
North Yorkshire libraries will act as warm banks during the winter amid calls for community groups and residents to “look out” for their neighbours and friends.
Due to the rising cost of living and increasing energy bills for most households, organisations and groups across the county are aiming to provide various forms of support to residents this winter.
This includes Scarborough Council, which has allocated £10,000 to assist communitybased organisations in providing community spaces where residents can come to keep warm during the winter months.
Thegrantsofupto£300are available to non-profit organisations and parish and town councils and can be used to cover utility and running costs, basic food or refreshment costs, materials and equipment, as well as room hire costs.
North Yorkshire County Council is also working with community support organisations in Scarborough and Whitby as well as providing cost of living support and hardship funding.
North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for policy, partnerships and communities, Neil Irving, said: “Over the winter months we are asking people to think about looking out for their neighbours, friends and family.
“This could involve getting
together for a cup of tea; making sure they have accessed any financial support which may be available to them, or just checking on their wellbeing.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Irving said: “People can also approach community support organisations located across the county who have information on locally-run projects and support available in your area and can sign-post people to other help.
“A list of local community support organisations can be found here; www.northyorks. gov.uk/info/community-support-organisations.”
Scarborough Council has set up a working group to examine ways in which benefits and entitlements can be made more readily accessible.
Cllr David Jeffels, who is headinguptheworkinggroup, said the biggest obstacle to people accessing benefits is “communication and knowing where they can get the information,andthat’swherewe are coming into it.”
The council is currently working with charities, communitygroupsandcompanies including Beyond Housing and North Yorkshire County Council to open up buildings as well as providing advice and support to people affected by the cost of living crisis.
A pot of £10,000 to provide grants of up to £300 has been created to support the roll out of warm spaces. The council’s WarmWelcomeFundwillprovide voluntary and communitygroupshostingwarmspaces with quick and easy access to financial support, which can be used to help fund associatedcostsincludingenergybills.
Cllr Carl Maw, Scarborough Borough Council cabinet member for stronger communities and housing, said: "I’d encourage any group or organisation interested in joining the warms spaces network to get in touch with us and also applyforfundingtoensurethe support is available for as long as possible.”
More information about the Warm Welcome Fund is available by emailing margaret.elwick@scarborough.gov. uk.