Welcoming places are being established across the Bridlington and the East Riding to provide somewhere warm for residents to visit during the colder months.
As part of East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Help for Households campaign, which has been established to support residents and businesses through the current cost of living crisis, organisations and community groups will be able to apply for grants to open their venues as welcoming places while East Riding libraries will be opening their doors to people to offer a warm and welcoming place.
As part of the Do it for East Yorkshire community grant, organisations and community groups, including those who have previously received funding from the scheme, can now apply for grants between £1,500 and £5,000 specifically to open their venues on a regular basis to provide welcoming places.
These venues can include village halls, community centres and food banks but they must provide activities and/or refreshments such as a lunch club or exercise group in order to be eligible to apply for the grant to go towards energy costs of staying open.
The funding cannot be used to go towards costs associated with venue hire or staffing costs relating to running this type of activity.
Libraries across the East Riding will also be open for people to drop in during the colder months and will offer a wide range of activities to support health and well-being throughout the cost of living crisis.
Libraries offer free access to wi-fi and a range of digital services while library staff can help people get online while there will also be a range of activities such as games and jigsaws and the offer of a warm drink and support.
East Riding libraries are located at: Anlaby, Beverley, Bridlington, North Bridlington, Brough, Cottingham, Driffield, Flamborough, Goole, Hedon, Hessle, Hornsea, Howden, Leven, Market Weighton, North Ferriby, Pocklington, Snaith, South Cave, Stamford Bridge, Swanland, Willerby and Withernsea.
Residents are also welcome on the mobile libraries that visit 157 locations across the East Riding.
Councillor Jonathan Owen, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “We know it’s going to be a particularly hard winter with the cost of energy going up meaning some of our residents will struggle to heat their homes.
“Welcoming places are open to all residents and will provide a warm welcome to all people from all backgrounds and circumstances.
“These welcoming places can be found in our libraries as well as venues within local communities and they are places where people can gather to relax, engage in activities, socialise as a community as well as access support during this cost of living crisis.
“I’d also encourage local groups and organisations who are considering opening up their own venues as welcoming places to have a look at the funding available via the Do it for East Yorkshire Community grant to see if they are eligible and able to provide some help for their communities.”
* For more information on the Do it for East Riding Community Grant go to https://eryc.link/grant
Residents, households and businesses can access a wide range of help and support via the council’s Help for Households webpage – https://eryc.link/helpforhouseholds
