Christian charity mapping Yarmouth warm hubs
The charity Imagine Norfolk Together is creating a map of warm spaces people can access across the Great Yarmouth Borough to keep warm over the winter months.
As the days get colder and energy costs remain high, many people are continuing to find it difficult to stay warm at home. A recent YouGov survey commissioned by National Energy Action found that one in four UK adults has found it hard to pay their energy bills over the past three months. As a result many churches and organisations are opening up their doors to provide a warm space for people to come to and feel welcomed.
Imagine Norfolk Together is creating a map for the Borough of Great Yarmouth to show where people can go throughout the week to find somewhere where they will find a warm space, a warm welcome and a warm drink for free.
Anna Heydon, Development Worker from Imagine Norfolk Together, is encouraging churches and other groups in the borough to inform her of any sessions during which they open up their building as a warm place for people to come, so that it can be added to the list. In order to qualify, the session needs to happen regularly, take place in a warm environment, be welcoming to anyone who turns up and provide free refreshments.
Anna says: "It's tragic that people are struggling to keep warm in their own homes. However I am so encouraged that whenever there is a need in the neighbourhood, our local churches are so often willing to step forward and offer what they can for the good of the community, reflecting the generous love of God."
Imagine Norfolk Together has previously produced a map of the areas covered by the seven church-backed foodbanks which operate in the borough, and also produce a regularly updated list of free meals which churches provide in the area.
Imagine Norfolk Together was originally set up in 2016 by the Church Urban Fund and Diocese of Norwich. The charity continues to work ecumenically in the areas of Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn to support the work of churches in the community.
In order for your church / group / organisation to be added to the Imagine Norfolk Together warm spaces map, please email Anna:
anna.heydon@togethernorfolk.org.uk
The warm spaces map can be viewed here: https://imaginenorfolktogether.org.uk/resources/great-yarmouth-borough-warm-spaces
Picture courtesy of Imagine Norfolk Together website.