An online directory has been launched to signpost people in need of warmth this winter to their nearest warm space. ‘Warm banks’ are public spaces, such as libraries, churches, community centres, theatres or art galleries where people can keep warm over the autumn and winter.
The initiative is a response to the cost of living & climate crisis, driven by rising energy prices alongside soaring costs of food which is predicted to intensify as winter approaches. This means thousands of people will not be able to afford to heat their homes.
Organiser Jason Baldry, the founder of Flint Collective, said ‘we went looking for an online directory to investigate registering our location as a ‘warm bank’, but couldn’t find one, so I decided to build a simple website where people can list their venue alongside any additional features they can offer, such as free wifi, food provision or recharging electronic devices. The sharing of warmth and resources is also a key step in helping us tackle the climate crisis together.”
The vision for the website warmspaces.org is to signpost people to their nearest warm bank. Councils across the UK have pledged to use public buildings to keep people warm this winter, but Jason believes a coordinated broad approach is important. “Covid taught us the importance of collective action and communities working together. A central listing of warm spaces could be a lifeline for people who don’t know where to turn to for help. It will allow friends and relatives to signpost vulnerable people to a place of welcome. However, the issue also isn’t limited to the most vulnerable. Many of us have moved to working from home following the pandemic and are facing a winter with increased energy bills. We want to build a comprehensive map of warm spaces catering for a variety of needs.”
Jason is urging organisations to list their venues on the warmspaces.org directory. “We’re not asking people to do anything new. If a venue is open already, we’re simply asking them to add their details to the website. Warm Spaces could be free or offer low-cost options. It may be a community centre, church, or library that you are free to visit. Or it could be a coffee shop where people are free to work for the price of a drink or even times of the week when you are able to stay with no obligation to pay/buy.”
If you have a warm space to share, please add it to the map.
