GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council has announced it is establishing a warm bank in every library in the county. 

The scheme will allow residents across local communities to access free warm and welcoming spaces within libraries.

It will include: 

  • Warm places to relax
  • Hot drinks
  • Free access to internet and Wi-Fi
  • Access to computers
  • Charging points for devices
  • Signposting to further advice and support
  • Free activities such as homework help, knit and natter, and library clubs
  • Everything else you’d expect at your local library

There are currently 39 GCC-run libraries across Gloucestershire. 

Although not all libraries are the same all libraries will provide a basic offer that meets the requirements of the GCC scheme.

GCC has also brought together a wealth of information from the public and third sector, to help everyone get faster access to the support they need during the cost-of-living challenges.  

The support hub is split into five key areas - money, food, energy, warm spaces, and protecting health and wellbeing.

It is currently based online, with hardcopy alternatives being made available very soon.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of GCC, said he hoped the support would help residents in this 'tough climate'. 

He said: “There is a wealth of information related to support with the cost-of-living challenges, but much of it is scattered across different organisations.

"We’ve brought this together in one place to make accessing this information much easier.

“Alongside this, we are today launching our warm and welcome offer in libraries - an enhanced offer to what libraries provide every day.

"All this in the same week we announced the new phase of Levelling Up funding to tackle health inequalities in the most deprived communities in Gloucestershire.

"We hope this package of support will help residents in this tough climate.”

Any organisations with additional information for inclusion in the ‘Support Hub’ can e-mail communications@gloucestershire.gov.uk

You can visit the county council's new support hub online here.