Organisations across Morecambe Bay rally to help keep communities warm

Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations across Morecambe Bay are welcoming anyone who needs a heated room, a hot drink, some company and activity. 

The free and safe spaces have been set up in response to rising energy bills. They are known as Warm Spots, Warm Banks and Warm and Welcome Spaces. 

Jonny Gios, Community Connector at Gateway Church and their Volunteer Neighbourhood Chaplains, started a Warm Bank at Kendal Town Hall on the 5 October. 

It is held every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm at the town hall, 9a Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4D. The town hall is accessible to people with disabilities. 

Jonny said: “We’re a church that is passionate about our community that’s why we set up the Warm Bank as we saw a real need. It’s really important for us to go to the people and work in a holistic approach - caring for the person physically, emotionally, spiritually - the whole person. 

“We are seeing around 17 people a week and a third of these are new faces. When we think warm banks we automatically think it is to support the elderly but it’s not it’s for any age, any background, anyone in our community.” 

The service offers tea, coffee, refreshments, ball games, card games, free hats and scarves, hot water bottles, advice and support. 

Jonny added: “We offer a befriending service for people who are lonely and isolated and we are working closely with other organisations to offer a variety of activities, advice and support.”

Jonny and the neighbourhood chaplains from Gateway Church are supporting other Warm Banks in Kendal:

• Every Tuesday, between 1.30pm-3.30pm, at The Salvation Army, Gillengate, Kendal, LA9 4JE. 
• Every Thursday, between 1pm and 4pm, at St Thomas’ Church, Stricklandgate, Kendal, LA9 4QG.
• Every Friday, between 12pm and 3pm at Kendal Leisure Centre, Burton Road, Kendal LA9 7HX.

You can find a full list of Warm Spots in South Cumbria at the following link https://new.cumbria.gov.uk/warm-spots 

You can find a full list of Warm and Welcome Spaces in Lancaster at the following link https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/cost-of-living/energy-bills-staying-warm