Safe, Warm & Well:
Warm Space Toolkit
For more information visit: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/warmspaces
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s ‘Safe Warm Well-come’ project aims to help communities in our Borough target social isolation and the cost-of-living crisis. Council are joining with community groups and others to encourage and support the provision of inclusive, community-led Safe Warm Well-come centres, which bring people together to reconnect, post-covid, in safe, warm places. This is such an important initiative for the residents of our Borough, especially with all our fuel bills rising and the end of Covid restrictions. We all need to support each other.
The purpose of this simple toolkit is to share some ideas and guidance on how to create a Safe Warm Well-come centre. What Are Safe Warm Well-come centres? Safe Warm Well-come Centres should be free to use, warm, safe places where residents can expect a friendly and inclusive welcome. People can come along on their own, or with a friend, and talk to others over a hot drink or maybe a hot meal and be encouraged to stay as long as they like. There can be activities provided, and those attending can get information packs with practical tips and advice on saving energy costs and keeping safe and warm at home as well. In addition, people can be helped to find out about more specialist advice and support for their particular problems. As part of the Safe Warm Well-come Network, council will provide you with information packs so you can direct residents to other services that can help with the cost-of-living crisis.
For more information visit: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/warmspaces
Understanding the Safe Warm Well-come Charter Centres wishing to identify as a Safe Warm Well-come Centre must sign up to the Safe Warm Well-come charter to ensure that people know what to expect when they step across the threshold of a venue; a guarantee of respect, dignity and warmth. Centres will be provided with a recognisable ‘Safe, Warm & Well’ logo (as seen below), to enable them to be readily identifiable as a Safe Warm Well-come centre.
Things to consider when preparing your venue for visitors The Basics All centres should provide an accessible entrance, seating, toilet facilities and be adequately heated to a comfortable ambient temperature. The centre should be welcoming with approachable volunteers who offer a warm welcome and put people at ease. Language matters; the term ‘warm banks’ might be off-putting for users.
Activities and amenities Activities don’t need to be complex; some board games, a tv or wifi are always welcome. Other ideas include the provision of newspapers and magazines, book swap, childrens’ toys, workstations for agile working etc Think about opening times and try to offer a range of activities at different times to broaden accessibility to different types of users. Don’t wait for funding - there’s always a way. Ask - people want to help.
Facilities for tea, coffee or even a hot meal such as soup could also be provided. Everyone putting the kettle on makes it feel like mutual support rather than charity. Using a common-sense approach to reducing the risk of covid infection is also key. Make sure there is enough space to allow for social distancing and plenty of ventilation particularly where those attending are particularly vulnerable to infection.
For more information visit: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/warmspaces
Small events Venues can arrange small events to encourage people to attend. A Safe Warm Well-come event could include a weekly coffee morning or a monthly breakfast club, a repair cafe session, guest speakers or a meetup for carers, a wellbeing session or a slow cooking course to help people budget for heating and eating.
Things to consider when preparing your venue for visitors Council working together with local communities The purpose of the Safe Warm Well-come network is to work together to share ways to help residents at this increasingly difficult time. Our communities are best placed to identify what works for their local areas and Council wish to provide support for this. As well as a small grants programme (see below) Council are looking into other ways of supporting registered Safe Warm Wellcome centres over the coming months.
Warm Space Small Grant Programme Small grants (up to £500) can be awarded to organisations in Mid and East Antrim for the creation and improvement of Safe Warm Well-come Centres for local communities, allowing them to reconnect post Covid, leading to a positive difference for those living in the area. The application process can be accessed by clicking here.
This could include lending sewing equipment for groups, delivering slow cooker demonstrations, providing signposting to affordable warmth funding and supplying information packs on energy advice and cost-of-living tips for giving out to those attending.
Next Steps If you are interested in becoming a Safe Warm Wellcome Centre, or would you like to find out more about the grants scheme, or other ways that Council can help, please get in touch. Email: grants@midandeastantrim.gov.uk Tel: 02825 633530 or 02825 633198 Email: wellbeing@midandeastantrim.gov.uk Tel: 028 25 633394
For more information visit: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/warmspaces