Warm Hubs, warm spaces and warm welcomes - Andy's blog
14th Oct 2022
Andy Dean, CAN’s chief executive, writes:
Many organisations across the country, including Northumberland, are responding to the energy and cost of living crisis by opening up venues for residents over the coming winter months. They are all being called different things but represent a range of organisations trying to do their bit.
Warm Hubs in Northumberland, of course, are nothing new. Supported by CAN, Warm Hubs have been around for the last 8 years with more and more venues aspiring to join the movement.
Warm Hubs are places within the local community where people can be assured of finding a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy refreshments, social activity, information and advice and the company of other people.
Unfortunately, fuel poverty and isolation are nothing new to rural areas and this is exactly why Warm Hubs were set up. As these issues affect more and more people, it’s no surprise that local authorities, charities and businesses up and down the country are trying to respond.
At CAN, there have always been three key principles for Warm Hubs:
- The building is ‘fit for purpose’. CAN staff support the management committee to undertake risk assessments, energy audits and accessibility checks with a small grant available to carry out simple upgrades as well as support to find funding for more extensive work.
- Governance and policies are in place - appropriate insurances and licences have been acquired, suitable volunteer recruitment, safeguarding and other processes are in place.
- Volunteers receive ongoing support and training in Dementia Awareness, Food Safety, Equality and Diversity, First Aid and more.
Warm Hubs are not just for this winter, they are set up to be sustainable and a long-term solution to the needs which exist locally. At CAN, we will be maintaining this approach with existing Warm Hubs and any others we help to get off the ground.
We will also shortly be launching a ‘Warm Hubs Toolkit’ to help other organisations that want to support sustainable Warm Hubs in their areas – watch this space!
You can read more about Warm Hubs on the Energy Advice in Rural Northumberland website.