Hundreds of people are already starting to feel the benefits of a village Warm Hub in East Cambridgeshire as it officially launched this week.
The Haddenham and Wilburton Warm Hub has been open for around six weeks, but officially opened its doors on November 22.
It is one of 13 in the district, coordinated by charity Cambridgeshire ACRE, and is managed by 20 volunteers that aim to help struggling families in need this winter.
“The launch went very well; there were 20 to 30 extra people that came in and we had a warm welcome,” said Kirsten Bennett, chief executive of Cambridgeshire ACRE.
“People can go if they’re wanting to get out of the house but equally, if they are feeling cold, need someone to talk to with the cost of living.”
Those in attendance at the launch included Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, which developed the idea of Warm Hubs.
And it is an idea that is beginning to come to fruition.
In fact, the Haddenham and Wilburton Hub, based at Haddenham Sports and Social Club on Chewells Lane, has since welcomed its 500th person seeking help, advice or support.
“It’s not until when people turn up that you realise there is a need,” said Ms Bennett.
“I think [the success of Warm Hubs is] because it’s on a very local level, so the volunteers know their communities and know what their communities need.”
The Warm Hubs initiative has been developed by East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire district councils and funded by NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, part of the local Integrated Care System.
That funding is due to expire at the end of March next year, but Ms Bennett feels the Warm Hubs will still be able to have an impact on those in need.
“There are volunteers who will speak to them and need connecting to other services, such as benefits or a household support grant to put people in the right direction,” she added.
“If someone was struggling, there is always help out there and people can be pointed in the right direction for support.”
To find out where each Warm Hub is in East Cambridgeshire, search for ‘Warm Hubs’ on the Cambridgeshire ACRE website.
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