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Need for warm spaces not diminishing, says manager

Shivani Chaudhari
Kate Bradbrook/BBC A woman wearing a blue jumper and black frame glasses. She is smiling at the camera. Behind her are rows of food supplies in green boxes Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Lynne Prior says the warm space has been running in the community cafe for the past two years

The manager of a warm space said the need for them does not seem to be diminishing.

Lynne Prior, foodbank services manager for Encompass, has been running a warm space out of a cafe on Church Street, Rushden, Northamptonshire, for the past two years.

Every Wednesday, for two hours in the morning, the community cafe opens its doors to anyone needing to escape the cold and in need of warm food.

Prior said: "There are a lot of people who are really struggling. We have people who are on low income and struggling to make ends meet and people who are homeless."

The cafe has been given a grant to run by North Northamptonshire Council between November to March.

But Prior said the cafe mainly relies on donations from residents and local supermarkets.

Last year the council had encouraged residents to use warm spaces with more than 170 hubs opening for those who need it.

She said: "Even in the summer we still open the cafe because it's somewhere where homeless people can come."

But she added that more people were relying on this space during the colder months.

Prior said that warm places were essential for homeless people, adding: "It is really quite miserable for them this time of year.

"Some of them go to the library but here they can have a chat with their friends in somewhere that is really warm."

Kate Bradbrook/BBC A man wearing a thick grey hoodie with the hood covering his head and a red puffer coat on top. He has black frame glasses and is looking at the camera. There are black chairs and a door behind him. Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Warren Waters says the cafe helps him save money on electricity

Warren Waters, 68, uses the warm space regularly and said: "I come here because it's a nice friendly atmosphere, it's warm, you get warm food and you meet people as well."

While speaking to Kate Bradbrook from BBC Look East he said: "I've had chicken noodle soup, a roll with butter on it and mince pies."

He said he used the warm space to save money on electricity in his home.

Kate Bradbrook/BBC A man wearing a grey jacket with a black top underneath. He has glasses and is looking at the camera Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Philip Handy who lives in a homeless shelter, uses the warm space and says it makes a big difference

Philip Handy, 64, said: "I got made homeless, I slept rough for about four weeks and I'm now in a homeless shelter and it makes one hell of a difference being able to come here.

"You're in the warmth, there's food and you can have a laugh and a joke."

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