Submitted by Carrie Brookes on 20 Oct 2022 - 4:05pm
Middlesbrough Council and other service providers in the area are opening their doors to give a warm welcome to any of our residents that are experiencing tough times in the Cost of Living Crisis, by providing warm welcoming spaces for people to visit to stay warm, receive support, or to meet other people, at no or minimal cost.
Who is this for?
This Warm Welcome Warm spaces initiative is for any resident of the town to get warm, potentially have some hot refreshments, talk to other people, access services or get advice from a wide range of organisations. There is no criteria for anyone to attend. All Welcome.
How can we help?
If you have a venue, hall, café, community centre etc. and can provide anything from a seat to a full hall for people to come inside, keep warm and feel safe – you can help.
Some venues can just provide space for people to sit, some can provide warm refreshments, some can provide signposting or space for service providers to come in and give advice to residents. You may be able to provide 1, 2 or all 3 services – they are all so important in their own right.
What do I need?
A safe venue for people to feel welcome is all you need to get started. The Council will send you a checklist and literature to guide you to get up and running, if you need help.
We are already providing this, but how can I advertise or join up to the initiative?
If you are already using your spaces to welcome people in, thank you! Please let the Council know via the email or contact details below, so they can help you advertise your space on their central database for all residents of Middleborough to see. The information will be included on a ‘Heat map’ of the town and also council/service provider websites, as well as social media. Also, look out for more information in local magazines like ‘Love Middlesbrough’ that come through your door.
If we do not have premises but can provide signposting or advice to residents, can we still be involved?
Absolutely. Please contact the Council and they will be happy to discuss all options available, what venues you can attend on what dates and times.
Who do I need to contact?
For more information or to sign up to the initiative please send an expression of interest to livewellcentre@middlesbrough.gov.uk or 01642 727590 (Reception) and the Council will contact you and send you a venue pack over either electronically or through the post to get you started.
Funding may be available to support you becoming part of this initiative to help with electricity, heating and refreshments (Criteria may apply for funding)
