The Sentinel

‘We’ve got a warm welcome for you!’

City venues offering help during the winter

- Phil Corrigan Political Reporter philip.corrigan@reachplc.com

MORE than 30 venues have joined a new network of ‘welcoming spaces’ where cash-strapped people can keep warm over the winter.

Stoke-on-trent City Council has been working with community sector organisati­on VAST and other groups, in efforts to address the cost of living crisis.

Various businesses, community groups and faith organisati­ons have joined the network since it launched last month. They include churches, community venues and the Potteries Centre, as well as the council’s libraries.

The authority describes a welcoming space as ‘a place of connection in the community, which can be establishe­d or newly created, such as a community centre, library, or place of faith, where people can meet, socialise, and potentiall­y access support relating to the cost of living’.

Blurton Community Lounge at Affordable Foods, in Meaford Drive, is the latest venue to join. The lounge will open every Friday, 10am to 1pm.

Council leader Abi Brown said she was ‘delighted’ to see the city ‘coming together during these tough times’.

She added: “Many households are feeling anxious about energy bills as the weather cools, therefore welcoming spaces are places where residents can meet in informal settings, have a chat, access advice and support and make use of services in a warm, welcoming environmen­t.

“We now have a whole host of welcoming spaces across the city but we still need more and I urge businesses and groups to consider how they can help the people of Stoke-on-trent this winter.”

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 ?? ?? HELP AT HAND: Swan Bank Methodist Church is part of the network.
HELP AT HAND: Swan Bank Methodist Church is part of the network.
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