TEN venues in Teesdale are now officially designated as Warm Spaces where residents can go to keep cosy and cut their heating bills at home.
Durham County Council, which is working alongside the County Durham Community Foundation, has so far awarded funding to 95 organisations in the voluntary and community sector to create Warm Spaces. Barnard Castle Town Council is the latest organisation to sign up to the scheme. The Dawson Room at Woodleigh, near Scar Top, will be opened on Thursdays from December 15, from 1pm to 3pm.
Town mayor Cllr Rima Chatterjee said: “The town council knows that the cost of heating homes is a huge concern for many people as we head into winter. It doesn’t want anyone struggling in the cold and are encouraging people to use its warm space, and others have offered across Barnard Castle. A warm welcome is guaranteed.”
TCR Hub, at Shaw Bank, has also become a Warm Space. It is open on Mondays, between 1.30pm to 5.30pm, and on Tuesdays, between 10.30am to 5.30pm. Rachel Tweddle, from TCR Hub, said: “Much of this time is covered by our lovely volunteers. There is no pressure to partake in activities or strike up conversations. You can sit and read a book, bring your laptop, bring a hobby, or meet a friend. We are providing free hot drinks and snacks.”
However, Ms Tweddle said some groups were worried about joining the scheme because they had to sign up to a county council charter.
She added: “A number of care homes wanted to join but were put off by having to open up to everyone. It’s tricky as if it’s an official Warm Space, then you need to have someone on duty.”
The Witham, in Barnard Castle, is also open as a Warm Space between 12.30pm and 3.30pm on Mondays with free refreshments. The town’s Methodist Church is also part of the scheme, opening on Wednesdays, from 1pm to 4pm, with refreshments.
The town library is also designated as a Warm Space during opening hours.
Elsewhere, the YMCA’s community cafe, at Lipscomb Hall, in Cockfield, is also taking part and is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 9.30am and 2:30pm and there is a seniors lunch club on Fridays, between 9:30am and 4:30pm.
Utass is open between 9am and 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for people to drop by for hot drinks, biscuits and access a computer. Woodland Village Hall is open as a Warm Space on Monday, 2pm to 4pm; Thursday, 11.30am to 2pm; and Saturday, 11.30pm to 2pm. St Cuthbert’s Church, in Etherley, is also taking part, as is Toft Hill Community Centre, which is open Mondays, 1pm to 3pm; Tuesdays, 1pm to 3pm; Wednesdays, 10am to noon; Thursdays, 10am to noon. Cllr Alan Shield, cabinet member for equality and inclusion at Durham County Council, said: “It is heart-warming to see so many groups and organisations opening their doors as Warm Spaces.
“With further funding still available, we would encourage groups still wishing to become a Warm Space to apply for a grant.”
Visit www.durham.gov.uk
/warmspaces for more details.
The Pathway at Middleton-in-Teesdale is running an unoffical Warm Space every Friday, noon to 4pm
