According to a previous statement by Birmingham City Council, "more than 100 community warm spaces are now available around the city."
The Council continues to collaborate with a group of nonprofit, community organisations, such as Thrive Together Birmingham, to create a network of locations that people can use and visit all winter as a response to the cost-of-living crisis.
They offer a free, inviting environment where individuals can go to engage in activities, receive support, obtain helpful guidance and help, as well as connect with others in their area.
Coffee shops, community centres, libraries, and pubs are among the places that have registered to help and will each offer something different to the community.
On the Birmingham City Council website, businesses and community centres can apply to become warm spaces.
Share Shack learning space
Photography source: The Active Wellbeing Society
Share Shack, a warm space in Ladywood, Birmingham, has had a positive impact on the community. Birmingham Poverty Truth Commissioner, Sarah Howden, shares her personal experience:
"In my mind, the ultimate purpose is to give individuals a comfortable place to go as often as possible where there will always be a support network. Share Shack provides a wide range of services for the community, including meals, arts and crafts, drinks, and lending one another goods. It's a very helpful facility, especially the welcoming atmosphere, she said.
Three times a week, I go there to have dinner and speak to other adults about their current struggles. I don't have to stress about cooking, and I'm not consumed by thoughts of bills. I can save money this way for my daughter and me. Not only can I engage with other people, but my daughter can play with other kids and it's the closest thing I have felt to being in a family. Even though the cost of living is a major challenge, this generosity has brought many of us together. Now, I am ready to help and volunteer." She added
From personal experience, Sarah is undergoing the process of volunteering at Shake Shack and wants to help the community that helped her.
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