Over thirty venues across the borough have opened their doors to help locals struggling with their heating bills keep warm this winter.
Last week, Southwark Council launched Warm Spaces – which is where venues across the borough are opening their doors for anyone who needs to warm up, have a cup of tea and a chat, and receive advice if they are suffering the effects of the cost of living crisis.
The scheme is part of their £7.7million Cost of Living campaign – with other plans including Energy Savers, where people can receive advice on how to save money on fuel bills.
Local charity needs to raise £10,000 in just one week to help the elderly get around this winter
The Warm Spaces initiative was jointly developed by the council, United St Saviours, Southwark Charities, Community Southwark, and other Voluntary and Community Sector groups.
Thirty-three places are now open for people to visit, such as all of Southwark’s libraries, art galleries including the Tate Modern, community centres and even a pub in Peckham. All are free for anyone to drop in, no questions asked.
The council said the response from the community has been ‘incredible’.
Cllr Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Our community is so wonderful in times of trouble. As always, we’ve had an incredible response to our call to venues across Southwark to open their doors to those suffering hardship.”
“I think it’s extraordinary that we’re in this situation. We live in a developed country and we have to create spaces for people to feel warm and feed themselves – it’s really unbelievable.
“I dread to think about how people will survive in the next year or so, but whatever we can do to support them, we will do.”
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Some of the spaces have entertainment, support services and advice. Depending on where you go, they will have different services and opening times – “and they’re catered to specific groups of people, so there’s something for everyone,” Evelyn added.
Some also have food available, like the soup kitchen on Wednesdays at Blackfriars Settlement.
Renuka Bhakta, who works in mental health and wellbeing at Blackfriars Settlement, said: “People feeling isolated have been coming here for years but now there’s an added factor in that people are visibly struggling more.
“They’re not saying they’re cold – but a couple of people have taken some of the blankets that we have here.”
Renuka runs weekly discussion groups for people who have struggled with their mental health.
“There’s a lot of shame attached to asking for help. But to give you an idea – the other day some people were comparing where they could buy electric blankets from. And lots of them were saying how worried they were to put the kettle on. These kind of conversations are becoming regular now.”
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One woman who has been going there regularly is Southwark resident, Rita who lives off Old Kent Road.
At the time of interview, last Wednesday, November 23, Rita’s money had already run out for the month.
“My money has all gone on bills,” she explained. “So right now I’m making do with what I can get – food banks, food cycles.”
Adapting to a different standard of living due to the rise in energy bills is becoming the reality for many.
“I’m not using the heating – I just use a bit of hot water here and there. And I’m trying to wrap up warm as much as I can.”
She said her bills cause her a lot of stress, something that doesn’t help her health condition.
“I had a lot of stress from bills over the last few months. I’m a heart patient so I need to watch my stress-levels.
“Warm spaces will help me a lot – at least I can survive.”
As well as the other services they already provide, Blackfriars Settlement is open as a Warm Space on Mondays 2pm-5pm, Tuesdays 9:30am-2pm and Wednesdays 9:30am-3:30pm.
To find your nearest Warm Space click HERE.
Additional funding for the scheme was given by Partnership Southwark and PPL Consulting.
Local charity needs to raise £10,000 in just one week to help the elderly get around this winter