Charities and businesses across Devon are offering warm spaces, hot meals and winter clothes to residents struggling during the cost of living crisis
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With temperature dropping and energy prices still at all all time high, many residents in Devon are struggling to stay warm in the run up to Christmas. In response to this, councils, charities and business across the county have come together to offer their help and provide warm and comfortable spaces that residents can use for free.
In the last week, councils across Devon have announced a number of 'warm spaces' which aim to support communities during the cost of living crisis. The spaces will offer a warm area for residents, with many buildings offering free cups of tea/coffee, winter clothing and hot meals.
Leader at North Devon Council, Councillor David Worden, says: "It's saddening to think that in the 21st century we have to consider schemes like ‘warm spaces’. Everyone should be able to stay warm in their own home but unfortunately, the cost of living crisis means the creation of council-supported warm spaces had to be part of our action plan."
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Here is a list of all charities, organisations and businesses currently offering warm spaces in Devon - broken up by local authority. If you know of any others which are not included on this list, please get in touch.
Teignmouth Library, Fore Street, Teignmouth, TQ14 8DY- Monday 9.00am - 6.00pm, Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm, Wednesday 9.00am - 6.00pm, Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm, Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm - Warm winter coat rail; free Wi-fi. Free hot drinks on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Alice Cross Centre, 1-3 Bitton Park Rd, Teignmouth TQ14 9BT - Thursdays 2.00pm - 4.00pm - The hEAT café provides complimentary food and drinks
Barnstaple Library, South Molton Library and Ilfracombe Library have a range of services available as part of their Cold Days, Warm Libraries Initiative
The Freedom Centre, 1 Howard Ave, Barnstaple, EX32 8QA - Drop-in Day centre where people can get warm food, a shower and clean clothes free as well as agency referrals for services and additional help and support. Starting with immediate effect on Mondays to Thursdays from 11am until 1pm
The Beechfield Centre, Beechfield Road, Fremington, EX31 3DD - The Beechfield Centre is opening with immediate effect as a warm space every Wednesday evening (opening time yet to be confirmed). Individuals and families can enjoy a free hot drink and have the opportunity to charge electrical items.
Combe Martin Community Centre, Church Street, Combe Martin, EX34 0LQ - Combe Martin Community Centre will open each week, Monday to Friday from 9am until 3pm starting from Thursday 1 December until Easter 2023. Refreshments are available, free of charge
The Jubilee Room, Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, EX35 6BT - Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council: The Jubilee Room at Lynton Town Hall will be open as The Warm Welcome Club. Starting with immediate effect, the hall will be open each week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am until 1pm. Refreshments will be available and the opportunity to chat and play a game
North Molton Village Hall, Victory Memorial Hall, Fore Street, North Molton - Thursdays 2pm to 4pm. Tea, coffee and a piece of cake available.
South Molton Baptist Church, 9 New Road, South Molton, EX36 4BH - Wednesdays and Sundays 2pm to 5pm. Tea and coffee provided.
South Molton Methodist Church, North Street, South Molton, EX36 3AW - Saturday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm when there will be tea, coffee and biscuits and option to play table tennis or do some jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles and board games
Belle's Place, Lee Place, Ilfracombe EX34 9BQ - open Monday, Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays and 12pm-3pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm
The Haven, The Baptist Church, Ilfracombe - Wednesdays 10:30-12pm
Pip and Jim's Church St James Pl, Ilfracombe EX34 9BJ (12pm-2pm)
Residents visiting East Devon Warm Hubs can get free hot drinks, snacks, daily papers and games. They can also pick up free gloves, hats and blankets.
Axminster -Millwey Community Centre, EX13 5EW (open Tuesdays 10am-4pm, Sundays, 9.30am - 11.30am)
Exmouth- Burnside Community Centre, Withycombe, EX8 3AQ (open Monday - Wednesday)
Honiton -Dunning Court Community Centre, nr Thelma Hulbert Gallery, EX14 1FQ (open Monday 10am-4pm)
Honiton - The Beehive, EX14 1LZ, Tuesday 1pm-5pm
Honiton - CUB (Community Use Building), EX14 1QW, Thursday 1pm - 5 pm
Honiton - Family Church, EX14 1LW Friday 10am - 12pm
Honiton Library EX14 1BS - open all week
Seaton- Waffle Café, Seaton Community Hospital, EX12 2UU (open Monday 9am -4pm)
Sidmouth - Trumps Court, nr the Ham Carpark, EX10 8BL (open Tuesdays and Thursdays - 10am -4pm)
Broadclyst - Broadview Community Centre, EX5 3HA (open Wednesdays 10am-4pm)
Ottery - Yonder Close Community Centre, EX11 1HE (opens Thursdays 10am -4pm)
Woodbury -Park Close Community Centre (open Fridays - 10am-4pm)
St George's Extension, Tiverton in Becks Square will run at the community café on Tuesday from 10 am until noon. The Living Room will be open.
Tiverton Library is a free warm space to enjoy, relax, and socialise this winter – and it is here for you for life.
Cullompton Library at The Hayridge offers hot drinks from Monday to Friday from 10 am until 4 pm.
Halberton Village Hall Monday from 10 am until 2 pm. It will offer free hot and cold drinks, soup and bread. You can chat, read, play games or do a jigsaw.
Uffculme Warm Space is located at Square Corner on Fridays from 10 am until 4 pm, offering a chance for people to learn how to reduce energy bills, as well as offering drinks, soup, rolls and Wifi.
Bampton, the LARC will open every Tuesday from 12.30 pm until 3 pm and Thursday from 9.30 am until 12.30 pm, offering a space to relax, chat and enjoy a hot drink. Trained advisors will also be on hand to provide advice on managing bills and confidential help.
Bampton Village Hall will open a warm space each Friday from 11 am until 3 pm, offering warm drinks, light food, games, music, and more.
Hemyock - warm space will be at The Blackdown Healthy Living & Activity Centre each Tuesday from 10 am until 3 pm and at St Mary's Church Rooms on Thursday from 10 am until 3 pm. The soup will be provided thanks to The Catherine Wheel.
The Station Tea Rooms (Turning Tides), Crediton, are from 10 am until 3 pm on Monday. Tuesday at the Boniface Centre from 10 am until 11.30 am and St Boniface Catholic Church from 2 pm until 6 pm with a meal at 4.45 pm.
On Wednesday at St Boniface Catholic Church from 2 pm until 4 pm.
On Thursday, a Crediton Congregational Church for over 50s from 10 am until 11.30 am. Crediton Congregational Church hot lunch is open from noon until 2 pm.
On Friday, Crediton Methodist Church offers a warm room and refreshments from 10 am until noon, and on Saturday, Crediton Methodist Church opens from 10 am until 11.30 am.
Are you running a warm space that we haven't listed above? Log in and let us know in the comments.
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