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North Somerset Council has worked with numerous organisations and community groups to help set up free Community Living Rooms across the region in direct response to the Cost-of-Living crisis with libraries, community centres, faith groups and many more stepping forward and opening their doors as dedicated warm spaces.
To help find your nearest Community Living Room, a new interactive map is available at Community Living Rooms (n-somerset.gov.uk). Click on a map pin for more detail including address, opening times and facilities available.
North Somerset Council has allocated over £25,000 in grants to help support organisations wishing to set up a Community Living Room with over £13,500 allocated so far – with more to come as additional warm spaces across the region come on board.
Cllr Mike Bell, Deputy Leader at North Somerset Council said: “Many people in our community face enormous pressure due to the rising cost of living and onset of winter. This is a council that cares about people and I’m proud that we’ve been able to support so many organisations who are now helping run Community Living Rooms at this crucial time. These are welcoming places for you to come, grab a cup of tea, a bit of company and most importantly keep warm this winter.”
In addition to the £25,000 funding provided by North Somerset Council so far, match funding of £2,500 have each been given by Alliance Homes, Bristol Water and Wessex Water to support North Somerset’s Community Living Rooms initiatives.
Cllr Bell continued: “I’d like to thank the organisations who have contributed financially to this great work and helped to set up Community Living Rooms across the area. No one should go cold at any time, and it is disappointing that these schemes are even needed at all. However, North Somerset residents should know that support is here, and we really are in this together to help each other.”
The interactive Community Living Room map is also available to view at https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/north-somerset-together/community-living-rooms-north-somerset alongside links to maps showing spaces registered with Warm Spaces https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space initiatives. Residents will therefore be able to access up-to-date information about North Somerset spaces that have been registered with one or more of the initiatives.
Key organisations in North Somerset, including North Somerset Council, set up an area-wide Cost of Living working group earlier this year under the umbrella #NorthSomersetTogether. 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/my-services/benefits-support/cost-living-advice-guidance. There are also useful links to local food banks, a cost-of-living survival kit and support to help people travel to work.
For more details on setting up a community space as a Community Living Room, please email policypartnershipteam@n-somerset.gov.uk.