Several new weekly warm, safe and welcoming local spaces where anyone can drop in to enjoy free tea, coffee, juices and social interaction are opening this coming week at various locations across Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and the Northern Corridor as part of a unique partnership endeavour.
The pioneering Warm Welcomes venture aims to address an urgent need for warm, welcoming spaces in the Cumbernauld and North area during the upcoming winter months.
It will involve various Warm Spaces providing vital relief and free refreshments for those affected by the rising cost of living and increased social isolation. A total of 14 Warm Spaces have already been announced and a number of others expected to be confirmed over the coming weeks.
Weekly sessions will run for 10 weeks from Monday 3 February 2025 until Friday 11 April 2025 at different geographically spread venues across the North area of North Lanarkshire, including rural and village sites. A full list of scheduled dates, times and places for Warm Welcomes sessions can be viewed here.
An open invitation is extended to anyone available to drop in to any of the sessions on any given week, with a special welcome afforded to older people, carers, people with additional support needs, children and families.
The unique partnership initiative is being led by Northern Corridor Community Volunteers, Croy Community Hub and Cornerstone House Centre, with a range of other community groups also coordinating local delivery. Warm Welcomes is being supported by Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire via the Cumbernauld and North Area Community Solutions Improving Lives Locality Activity Fund.
The activity will directly address loneliness, social exclusion and financial strain during the coldest months whilst supporting community cohesion by bringing people in need together. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, said:
“We are delighted to be in a position to roll out the exciting new Warm Welcomes scheme across Cumbernauld and the North area in collaboration with Northern Corridor Community Volunteers and Croy Community Hub this winter.
“Crucially, the project will service local communities evidenced to have the greatest need in relation to health, income, culture, age and society.
“We anticipate that weekly spaces will provide financial relief for vulnerable citizens, reduce social isolation, enhance mental health and wellbeing and strengthen local community anchor organisations.
“The need for warm spaces during early 2025 was highlighted through numerous communications with local citizens and community leaders over the past few months.
“It is recognised that winter is a particularly difficult time for many local residents, with challenges such as high heating costs, disconnection and mental health concerns exacerbated by financial pressures and a lack of accessible community hubs.
“Notably, North Lanarkshire Council has not allocated funding for warm spaces this year. This has left many communities without essential support during the harshest months of the year, and as such a clear gap in provision has been identified.”
Saliently, the format of Warm Welcomes reflects an understanding of Cumbernauld’s unique needs, particularly in rural villages often underserved by traditional services.
Partnering embedded community groups together to deliver warm spaces ensures that they located in areas of greatest need and managed by individuals who understand local dynamics. This community-led approach seeks to establish trust, engagement and sustainability.
The importance of this initiative is underlined by the fact that according to the Scottish House Condition Survey, approximately 24% of households in Cumbernauld experience fuel poverty, with this figure likely to have risen due to recent increases in energy prices.
Older adults, who are particularly susceptible to health risks from cold temperatures, are disproportionately represented among those affected. The inability to afford sufficient heating has tangible impacts on physical and mental health, making the provision of Warm Welcomes not just a convenience but a necessity.
Moreover, social isolation remains a significant issue amongst older and disadvantaged in the North area. Studies from Age Scotland indicate that nearly half of Scottish adults over 75 feel lonely some or most of the time.
In the absence of local authority-funded spaces, many individuals have few options for social engagement during winter. Loneliness has been shown to increase the risk of mental and physical health conditions, including depression, anxiety and other stress-related conditions.
Additionally, the cost of living crisis has intensified financial pressures on households across Cumbernauld. Data from Citizens Advice Scotland shows a surge in requests for financial and energy-related advice in the local area, highlighting the widespread challenges families and individuals face in meeting basic needs.
By offering warm spaces with free refreshments, this new venture will provide essential respite and reduce the financial burden on struggling residents.
For further information about the Warm Welcomes activity or any of the local warm spaces organised through it, please contact Cornerstone House Centre in the first instance on 01236 739220 or email locality.host@cornerstone-house.org.uk.
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