A big poster outside the Bob Jones Community Hub in Wolverhampton proclaims “I’m a warm space” and offers people free hot drinks, phone charging points and place to keep warm for as long as they like.
It is one of 38 warm banks, branded as Warm Spaces, opening across the city this week in preparation for a cold winter amid the cost of living crisis, in a local authority with the highest rate of fuel poverty in the country.
“I’m proud but embarrassed to be doing this,” said Ian Brookfield, the Labour leader of Wolverhampton council. “What are we doing here? At the most basic level we’re trying to save lives. So I suppose that makes me embarrassed as a nation we’ve come to this.”
The spaces include community centres and libraries in council-owned buildings, although 40 venues, offered by local community and faith groups, are also on standby depending on how high the demand gets. A dedicated shuttle bus has been put on to transport people for free to the centres.
The council has also been preparing emergency winter warmth kits, containing a power bank, LED lamp, blanket and hand warmers for people struggling to heat their homes.
“We know for a fact people have already had to put their heating on and it’s going to get a lot colder,” said Brookfield. “We’ve always seen people struggling during recessions and crises, but this is different. Probably the majority of people who live in a city like Wolverhampton will now be looking carefully at their heating and how much they’re using.”
Although the temperature was mild on Wednesday, many people were still using the spaces to get advice and support on rising bills, or simply to socialise with others.
Mani Patel, 87, said she was left with just £90 last month after she paid her energy bill, and her arthritis meant she struggled with the cold.
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“I’m not very well and I need the heating. I have arthritis from my neck down to my leg, so I need warmth but I keep the heating down low,” she said. “It is very hard for me. Me and my son, we can’t survive without heating.”
Over at the Big Venture Centre in the north of the city, many families were taking part in half-term activities while receiving a hot meal from the dedicated warm space.
“We got the bus here but that’s all we’ll spend today. It’s difficult, the shopping is going up so much, even the nappies and baby milk,” said Lucie Jacquin, 29, who was with her three children, eight-year-old Maison, six-year-old Millie and six-month-old Ruben. “We have had the money off the government to help with energy bills but we live in quite an old house so it doesn’t go that far.”
“Everything is going through the roof. Everybody is struggling enough as it is and it keeps going up and up,” said 33-year-old mum of three, Katie Boyle. “But this place is great, everything is free. It’s just great to be able to get the kids out, and get some support. They’ve been amazing.”
