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Community Living Rooms are varied and take place within libraries, community centres, faith groups and more. It’s a great place to come together with other members of the community with some offering refreshments, arts and crafts, games, digital skills sessions as well as information, support and advice.
North Somerset Council has provided funding to each Community Living Room with additional financial contributions from Bristol Water, Wessex Water and Alliance Homes.
North Somerset Council worked with numerous organisations and community groups to help set up free Community Living Rooms across the region last year in direct response to the cost of living crisis.
Cllr Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader at North Somerset Council said: “It’s wonderful that so many community living rooms will be open this winter to offer warm, friendly spaces for members of the community to come together to meet, have a chat and support each other.
“The idea of Community Living rooms is something I’ve supported for many years, as a way of bringing people together.
“They are free to attend, and when set up last year, played a key role in the response to the cost of living crisis, offering a warm space for people to spend time together and to help reduce home energy bills. They have been so successful and valued, that communities across North Somerset are continuing to keep them open.
“I’m very proud that, as a council that cares, we've been able to support so many organisations who are now helping run Community Living Rooms.”
To help find your nearest Community Living Room, including open times, visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/communitylivingrooms. An interactive map is also available at Community Living Rooms (n-somerset.gov.uk).
Key organisations in North Somerset, including North Somerset Council, set up an area-wide Cost of Living working group earlier this year. Community Living Rooms are just one of the many packages of measures in place to help residents at this challenging financial time.
For more information about help available including support with bills, childcare costs, housing support, and energy and heating advice, check out www.n-somerset.gov.uk/col. Here there are also useful links to local food banks, financial grants, a cost-of-living survival kit and support to help people travel to work.