As the winter months approach, Jigsaw’s Neighbourhood Engagement team has reopened several warm hubs across our communities to provide a safe space for residents to socialise and stay warm.
In Chorley, Neighbourhood Engagement Officer Tracy Townson launched ‘The Welcome Hub’, a place for residents to visit on a weekly basis, enjoy food and a hot drink, and make new friends to help tackle social isolation.
The launch, which took place at Coppull Methodist Church, was attended by the Mayor Councillor Gordon France and Mayoress Councillor Margaret France and other partner agencies including Chorley Council and SVP Chorley Buddies, alongside members of the local community.
Tracy led this project alongside volunteers and managed to apply for £1,000 in funding from Chorley Council to ensure the hub provides a much-needed service to local residents.
In Harpurhey, the ‘Be Warm Keep Warm’ winter hub was reopened by Officer Julie Fraser at the Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project community centre in Manchester.
Residents can attend the hub every Monday from 11am-2pm and receive hot and cold drinks, soup and a roll, and benefit from computer access and free WiFi.
Officer Minaz Aslam recently reopened the Ashton Central warm hub in partnership with the Holy Trinity Community Centre which runs every Monday from 9.30-3.30pm during term time throughout the winter months.
This is the third year of running a warm hub at the venue for the local community and is a welcomed initiative to combat fuel poverty.
Residents who attend can enjoy hot drinks and hot food and have the chance to chat with new people, use the community grocer and find out about other projects and activities that take place in the community centre.
On Thursday 14 November, the Warm Hub at The Dukinfield Hub will open and run every Thursday from 12:30-2:30pm until March.
The hub will be run by volunteers from The Peoples Community Dukinfield Group and has been funded by The Jigsaw Foundation, with a £1,000 contribution towards the running costs.
