The City of Wolverhampton Council has announced that it is launching a range of warm spaces throughout the city to help residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
A total of 30 venues in Wolverhampton will initially open their doors, including community centres, libraries and Strengthening Families hubs. Leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Cllr Ian Brookfield, said that it was ‘awful’ that the council had to resort to offering residents warm spaces.
‘It’s awful that it has come to this in a country like Britain, but this is a no brainer for the council,’ he said.
‘Our wide range of community spaces and council buildings across the city will be open in any event, so why wouldn’t we throw our doors open over the colder months to help those in need stay warm.’
‘We will ensure there are warm spaces across the city, across all 20 wards where people can go and keep warm, charge their devices, use the Wifi and get a hot drink and a bite to eat,’ he continued.
‘People should not have to be cold in their own homes, because they are scared to put the heating on. As a council, we are doing all we can to help our most vulnerable residents through this cost of living crisis and have already invested £1.1m on top of the £2.6m Household Support Fund received to date from central government.
‘We’d much prefer this kind of scheme wasn’t necessary in the first place, but we won’t stand by and do nothing; we’ll be launching this scheme shortly and make everyone aware of exactly which premises will be open for them to keep warm this winter.’
