, Cabinet Secretary for Social
Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: In the winter of 2022-23
the Welsh Government provided £1m to support and
expand the provision of safe and warm places within the local
community. These have been variously referred to as Warm Hubs,
Warm Welcome Centres, Warm Spaces and Croeso Cynnes / Cosy
Corners.
I am pleased to announce that this year I will be making
available a further £1.5m to continue to support the provision of
spaces within the local community where people of all ages can go
to access services and advice, participate in social activities
or simply get a warm cup of tea with company.
We know that the services offered through these community spaces
has been vital in helping people; access welfare advice to help
deal with debt issues and ensure they are claiming their
entitlements; combat loneliness and isolation; or just try new
activities or learn new skills.
This investment is part of the wider Welsh Government package of
support for people across Wales over the coming months including
our Discretionary Assistance Fund, Single Advice Fund Services,
and Fuel Vouchers Scheme.
Allocated through Local Authorities we intend for this funding to
build on provision already available across Wales through the
public, voluntary and faith sectors, enabling organisations to
open their facilities for longer, open more often or to provide a
meal and refreshments to those attending.
The focus will continue to be on identifying and delivering to
local need. This means that there will be a number of different
approaches taken to deliver these spaces based on the needs of
communities. But it will be important that they all offer an
inviting place to be and are open and inclusive and available for
all in the community to use.
