Stockport Council relaunches Warm Spaces initiative for Winter 2023

Stockport Council has relaunched its Warm Spaces initiative for Winter 2023 at a launch event held at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park grounds on 1st November.

Over 90 attendees were present at the launch of the scheme, with funds community organisations to combat residents’ loneliness, isolation, wellbeing and keep them warm and well during winter. Warm Spaces, available in every ward across Stockport, will remain open until the end of February and offer complimentary Wi-Fi, hot meals, and drinks and can signpost residents to further support.

Cllr Frankie Singleton, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, launched the event at Stockport County to thank the 52 providers of Warm Spaces and libraries across the borough, and invited organisations which took part in the scheme last year to share their experiences. Local residents who had benefited from the scheme also shared the impact Warm Spaces have had.

Stockport County FC’s charitable trust is among the organisations hosting Warm Spaces this winter, receiving funds for its Social Well-Being Group. Alison Warwood, Chief Executive Officer for Stockport County Community Trust said,

“We were delighted to be able to host the Warm Spaces launch today at Stockport County. As a previous recipient of a Warm Spaces grant, we know how important this fund is to community groups to help support those people that need it the most. The grant we received has helped to fund our County’s Social Well-Being Group at Edgeley Park which takes place weekly, supporting people in the community living with long-term health and mental illness, dementia and experiencing loneliness social isolation.

“We hope to continue to support Warm Spaces and the important work these grants will continue to support.”

Cllr Frankie Singleton commented,

“I’d like to thank everyone who attended today to the launch of Stockport’s warm spaces initiative. It was great to see so many local community organisations and businesses wanting to get involved this year and provide a warm space so that all that all our residents have somewhere to keep warm this winter.

“The response from our Warm Spaces provided during the winter of 2022/23 was overwhelming, and we are delighted to have been able to provide grants to numerous spaces providing warmth and shelter again this winter. There has been an extraordinary amount of dedication and volunteered time from everyone who has played a part in this scheme.

“We know there are going to be people who are facing genuine hardships this winter, which is why our Warm Spaces are so important and serve as welcoming and inclusive environments for those of all ages.”