Welcoming Spaces give a warm reception to all
Buckinghamshire Council’s latest measure to offer 'a helping hand' to support local residents with the cost of living crisis this winter, is the introduction of Buckinghamshire's Welcoming Spaces.
The council is pledging to develop a network of Welcoming Spaces offering a variety of facilities around the county, with local partner organisations, where residents can come into safe and inclusive spaces, free of charge, to stay warm and enjoy a little company.
The scheme is kick-starting with the launch of Buckinghamshire's libraries and community libraries as the first of the Welcoming Spaces venues. Visitors will be welcome for as long as they wish during opening hours and can make use of facilities including free wifi and computer access. Library staff will also be on hand to offer information and support to visitors struggling with the effects of the cost of living crisis.
Council Leader, Martin Tett, explained: “We know that many people are really worried about making ends meet this winter. Even with the recent cap on energy bills, the cost of heating our homes and keeping warm is just too much for some. We don’t want anyone to suffer in silence so that is why we are opening up our libraries and community libraries as warm and welcoming places for anyone who needs a place to go during the daytime to keep warm and safe.”
Find out more about the Welcoming Spaces scheme.
The council is also keen to support other organisations in local communities to open up as Welcoming Spaces. Work is currently taking place with partners and local communities to develop this plan. More information will be available soon for interested community groups and organisations with suitable venues to find out more.
The Welcoming Spaces initiative forms part of the wider work of the council, focusing on the cost of living crisis. For more information on what support is available visit our website.