Blaenau Gwent Council is supporting its most vulnerable residents with a range of support as cost of living expenses continue to rise.
The Council provided grant funding of £29,500 to support 30 warm hub schemes earlier this year. Up to £1,000 was made available initially to organisations to help provide refreshments or a substantial meal, a provision for advice and support and or further enrichment activity such as exercise, arts and should be available for the whole community to use.
Further funding was provided in late March from the Council’s discretionary cost of living scheme to extend the warm hub provision for an extra 3 months into the early Summer.
In February alone the warm hubs supported 1,256 residents right across Blaenau Gwent. For example,  Ebenezer Baptist Church in Abertillery  accommodated 257 residents,  Café 316 in Ebbw Vale supported 216 residents while Coed Cae Community House in Nantyglo helped 147 residents.
Councillor Steve Thomas, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council said:
‘’We recognise the pressure in our local communities as residents have to cope with the demands of the cost of living crisis.  It continues to be one of our top priorities to do all we can as a Council, and working with partners, to support our communities.
The significant rise in energy costs is one of the biggest challenges facing everyone, residents and businesses alike. Warm Hubs are important as they provide somewhere residents are provided with a welcoming, safe and warm environment that they can access at a time when things can be difficult at home for a number of reasons. I am delighted that we have been able to support the work of the many community groups and other organisations involved as they understand the needs of local people provide an ideal access point for local communities.’
Case Study – Tabor Centre
A gentleman attended the Tabor centre. He has mobility problems and suffers with loneliness and finds socialising difficult. He had a long chat with the volunteers at the centre and enjoyed the company with some refreshments. The gentleman said he enjoyed the visit and support he was given and was very happy to have somewhere to go and he would come back again.