Coventry City Council raises awareness of its warm spaces

Coventry City Council is encouraging those struggling with energy costs to use the city’s many free to access venues.

Coventry central library

Multiple businesses and charities such as Family hubs or libraries are offering their facilities to those that need a warm space over the winter months.

It’s part of the Council’s support for those struggling with the rising costs of living, hoping to raise awareness of Coventry’s many free to use spaces and encouraging people to keep warm.

 Councillor Kamran Caan, portfolio holder for Public Health and Sport said: “We know that the winter months can present some challenges to look after your health and wellbeing as viruses spread and financial pressures increase.

“We want people to know that they are not alone and there is a brilliant range of cost of living and mental health and wellbeing support in Coventry to help our residents through these difficult times.”

 Libraries around Coventry are holding more events to give professional advice on energy saving, budgeting and employment on top of their usual group activities, free WIFI and free use of computers up to two hours.

 Sorrelle Clements, the Service Development Manager for Coventry Libraries, said that it wasn’t just about encouraging access to warm spaces it is also about uniting the community, adding: “we see our spaces as facilitating community development.”

Coventry’s libraries offer a number of activities for people to get involved with including:

·      Reading groups

·      Friendship groups

·      Virtual reality sessions

·      Chess group

·      Conversation café

·      ‘Cuppa with a copper’

·      Knit and natter

Ms Clements said that she had seen more people using Coventry’s libraries.  “We have offered these sort of services before, but we are seeing more organisations coming in to talk to people. We are also holding more events and activities and encouraging people to stay a bit longer after these groups if they want to.”

Average energy bills increased by 54% in April, then a further 27% in October and are expected to rise another 20% in April 2023. An Office for National Statistics report found that climbing energy prices contributed the largest rise in inflation which is currently sitting at 11.1%, the highest since 1981. In September this year Ofgem published a survey stating over half of consumers are worried about falling behind on paying energy bills, and that concerns about expenses are driving more people to cut spending on non-essentials.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities Councillor David Welsh said: “The city is doing what it can, but it is never going to mitigate the full impact of inflation and the rising energy costs. That’s why we must continue to pressure the government and to call on them to do more.”

Coventry City Council has created a cost of living page on its website where you can get access to advice and support.