As winter approaches and the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, local community spaces have been recruited to make sure people don’t freeze in their homes.

For many, particularly those living on their own, heating an entire house is likely to become an overbearing expense this winter. Community groups, with the help of Ross and Herefordshire councils are stepping in to help those who need it.

Talk Community at Herefordshire Council has launched an online directory of warm spaces ready for the winter. The warm spaces listed in the directory are open to anyone who may be struggling with the increase in the cost-of-living and will be completely free of charge to residents looking for somewhere to keep warm and well during the cold weather.

Venues such as the Ross-on-Wye Library are already signed up to the warm spaces scheme and offer additional services such as free wifi, computer access, and plenty of interesting books to read.

During the scheme Ross library will be open: 9.30am to 4.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays; and closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

A number of the Herefordshire Talk Community Hubs are also listed in the directory. As well as a warm welcome, people will be able to access up-to-date health and wellbeing information and details on services and activities within their local community.

Cllr Ange Tyler, cabinet member for the community said: “We know that many people are worried about making ends meet this winter due to the rising cost of energy bills and the rapid rise in the cost of living.

“The warm spaces initiative is part of a range of measures being put in place to support residents throughout the winter months. The venues offer a safe environment for people, where they can go to warm up, see a friendly face, and access information and support on a wide range of topics from money worries to local activities, if they need it.”

Information about warm spaces in Herefordshire, including opening times, information is available on the Talk Community website: 
talkcommunitydirectory.org/warmspace

Voluntary groups are also developing plans to help people struggling this winter. Ross-on-Wye group the Community Development Trust (CDT) are in the process of developing a more extensive list of what’s available and when.

Voluntary groups in the town have been approached and asked what they can offer. Details will hopefully be publicised within the next three weeks. Information will be circulated on the CDT’s website, Facebook page, and through their newsletter (Ross Neighbourhood News).

The Gazette reported last month that deputy mayor Cllr Bev Pope, with Cllr Jane Roberts, and Tim Shelly are spearheading an initiative to help stave off the worst of rising costs.

Readers were polled last month on the effects of the crisis. Only a third of people said they would not have to make any cutbacks whatsoever, with 44 per cent saying that they’ll be cutting back on non-essential purchases, 22 per cent of people said they would be cutting back on essentials.