Borough buildings throw open their doors to help people beat the chill

Libraries, leisure centres, churches and community centres are among more than 30 buildings that are opening their doors to help people in the Borough stay warm this autumn and winter.

The "Warm Spaces" initiative, led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in partnership with charities, housing providers and faith and community groups, launched today (October 3).

Participating venues have signed-up to a charter to offer people a safe and friendly place where they can keep warm.

Some of the venues will also have WiFi and phone charging facilities and offer a hot drink and a bite to eat.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of the Council, said: "It is tragic that it has come to this, but we will not stand by and do nothing.

"We've already rolled out all kinds of cost of living support and what we also have is public buildings that we can use to help people, which is what we're doing here.

"Our Fairer Stockton-on-Tees team has been out working hard to put together this network of warm, welcoming and non-judgemental places.

"We've got 25 buildings that have opened from today with eight more gearing up to open in the coming days and weeks and we fully expect that number to grow even further.

"For some years now our focus has been on protecting those most vulnerable in our Borough. They need us now more than ever.

"We know people are worried sick about how they're going to get through these next few months with energy price rises and the cost of living crisis biting.

"We don't want anyone to suffer in silence and we will continue to do everything we can to help.

"All of our residents from across the Borough are welcome to come and use one of these warm spaces."

Where are the "Warm Spaces" buildings and when are they open?

The following "Warm Spaces" buildings opened from today:

• ARC - Stockton Arts Centre, 60 Dovecot Street, Stockton, TS18 1LL
• Billingham Family Hub, Ochil Terrace, Billingham, TS23 2QL
• Billingham Forum, The Causeway, Billingham, TS23 2LJ
• Billingham Library, Billingham town centre, TS23 2LN
• Café in the Park, John Whitehead Park, Billingham, TS23 2DD
• Eltham Community Centre, 91 Eltham Crescent, Thornaby, TS17 9RG
• Fairfield Library, Fairfield Road, TS19 7AJ
• Ingleby Barwick Library, Blair Avenue, Ingleby Barwick, TS17 5BL
• Newtown Community Resource Centre, Durham Road, TS19 0DE
• Norton Library, 87 High Street, Norton, TS20 1AE
• Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre, St John's Way, TS19 0FB
• Redhill Family Hub, Redhill Road, TS19 9BX
• Robert Atkinson Centre, Thorntree Road, Thornaby, TS17 8AW
• Roseworth Library, Redhill Children's Centre, Roseworth, TS19 9BX
• Splash, Church Road, Stockton, TS18 1TY
• Stillington Village Hall, 2 Forest Park, Stillington, TS21 1NW
• Stockton Central Library, Church Road, Stockton, TS18 1TU
• Stockton Family Hub, Yarm Road, TS18 3PJ
• The Glebe Community Centre, Hanover Parade, TS20 1RF
• The Grangefield Centre, 195 Oxbridge Lane, TS18 4HY
• The Willows Community Centre, Northport Road, Portrack, TS18 2HX
• Thornaby Central Library, Pavilion Shopping Centre, TS17 7EW
• Thornaby Family Hub, Tedder Avenue, TS17 9PJ
• Thornaby Library, Gilmour Street, Thornaby, TS17 6PF
• Yarm Library, 41 High Street, Yarm, TS15 9BH

The following "Warm Spaces" are set to open in the coming days and weeks:

• Norton Grange Community Centre, Somerset Road, Norton, TS20 2ND (opens Tuesday, October 4)
• Stockton Parish Church, High Street, Stockton, TS18 1SP (opens Wednesday, October 5)
• St Peter's Church, Yarm Road, TS18 3PJ (opens Thursday, October 6)
• Stockton Baptist Church, The Square, Stockton, TS18 1TE (opens Thursday, October 6)
• Thornaby Methodist Church, Stanstead Way, Thornaby, TS17 9DZ (opens Tuesday, October 11)
• Stockton Salvation Army, Palmerston Street, TS18 1NU (opens Monday, October 24)
• All Saints CE Academy, Blair Avenue, Ingleby Barwick, TS17 5BL (opens Monday, October 31)
• Destiny Church Café, Destiny Centre, 395 Norton Road, TS20 2QQ (opens Monday, November 7)

A Warm Spaces logo will be displayed in each venue.

To find out opening hours and details of what's on offer at each venue visit the Warm Spaces page of the Council website.

New "Warm Spaces" venues will be added to the page as and when they open.

How can I sign-up to offer a "Warm Spaces" building?

The Council's Fairer Stockton-on-Tees team would love to hear from any organisation that could open their doors to people.

Organisations may also be eligible for one-off funding between £50 and £500 to support this offer.

If you think you can help, visit the Warm Spaces application page of the Council website to complete the online form.

Where can I find out more about the help available?

Information on benefits, food banks, free school meals, help with school uniform costs and more can be found on the Cost of Living Support page of the Council's website.

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