Warm Welcome For Everyone In East Suffolk

People are being reminded that Warm Welcomes are continuing this winter in more than 20 venues across east Suffolk.

People are being reminded that Warm Welcomes are continuing this winter in more than 20 venues across east Suffolk.

Offering a warm, safe space to socialise over the winter - the scheme provides warm, friendly spaces with refreshments, food and activities.

Organised by East Suffolk Council, the reminder about the Warm Welcomes comes as colder weather arrives this week. The network of venues offering residents a warm, safe space to socialise over the winter is now in its second year. East Suffolk Council’s Warm Welcomes (formerly Warm Rooms) scheme has now relaunched, with more than 20 village halls, churches and community hubs providing a warm space and an opportunity to connect with other members of the local community. Last year, Warm Rooms operated over the winter months to provide warm, friendly spaces across East Suffolk. This winter, the rooms have been rebranded as Warm Welcomes following feedback received by those using the service, and the host venues. Part-funded by the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Warm Welcomes provide a safe and welcoming space where members of the community, including people who may be struggling with the cost of heating their homes, can come to meet with others and access information about additional support available in the community. Councillor Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism said: “Warm Welcomes provide people of all ages with a safe space to visit to meet others from their community, take part in activities and find out more about other types of support available in their local area.” Earlier this year, community groups interested in joining the Warm Welcomes programme were encouraged to apply for grant funding. Venues must be open for at least 8 hours per week and the funding can be used as a contribution towards energy costs, refreshments, food, activities and the purchase or hire of resources such as craft materials. Further details, including full addresses and opening times, are available at https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/warm-welcomes East Suffolk Council understands the pressures faced by many people today and is working closely with partners and stakeholders to ensure support is available to help ease the squeeze for households in East Suffolk: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/squeeze The list of East Suffolk Warm Welcomes includes: Pakefield Church - Bloodmoor Hill Community Centre, Carlton Colville DANES- 161 Rotterdam Road, Lowestoft Gunton Community Hall - Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft St Andrews Church - Roman Road, Lowestoft St Peter and St John's Church - Kirkley Church Hall, St Peter's Road, Lowestoft Seagull Theatre - Morton Road, Lowestoft Somerleyton Village Hall - The Street, Somerleyton Lound Village Hall - Church Lane, Lound Re-Utilise - 209 Whapload Road, Lowestoft Lowestoft Over 60s Centre - 8 Clapham Road South, Lowestoft Oulton Community Centre - Meadow Road, Oulton Halesworth Day Centre - London Road, Halesworth Huntingfield Village Hall - Brick Kiln Lane, Huntingfield Bungay Community Library - Wharton Street, Bungay Bungay Community Support, 28 Wingfield Street, Bungay Waveney Centre - New Market, Beccles Fortrey Heap Village Hall - Conifer Close, North Cove Southwold Library - The Old Hospital, Field Stile Road, Southwold Kessingland Parish Council - Marram Green, Hall Road, Kessingland Levington and Stratton Hall Parish Council - 2 Bridge Road, Levington Pushchair Pitstop - St Edmunds Church, Langer Road, Felixstowe ROPETH - The Angela Cobbold Hall, Little Bealings Jetty Lane - The Avenue, Woodbridge