Posted: Mon 26th Sep 2022

Wrexham’s libraries to be used as “warm spaces” for residents during the winter months

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Monday, Sep 26th, 2022

Libraries across Wrexham will be opening their doors to provide “warm spaces” and offer drop-in sessions for those seeking financial advice and support.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to worsen there are fears that many residents in Wrexham will be forced to go without heating their homes over the winter months despite the cap of £2,500 for typical household usage.

The discussion around having to provide warm spaces to residents was last week described as “difficult to believe that we have reached this point” by First Minister Mark Drakeford, who applauded efforts of community groups, local authorities and organisations for their efforts to help.

Today Wrexham Council announced that libraries across Wrexham will be amongst the warm places that will be provided locally this winter.

People will be able to pop in during the opening hours of the library to be “warm and comfortable”, say the local authority.

The libraries taking part in warm places are:

  • Brynteg Library
  • Cefn Mawr Library
  • Chirk Library
  • Coedpoeth Library
  • Gwersyllt Library
  • Llay Library
  • Overton Library
  • Rhos Library
  • Ruabon Library
  • Wrexham Library

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Housing and Climate Champion, said: “The cost of living crisis has left many local people worried about staying warm at home and this is only going to worsen as we move towards the winter months.

“Rising energy prices are putting real pressure on families, so having community warm places in Wrexham is something to help during a very challenging time.

“Initially, the warm places will be our libraries, but we’re hoping to add more community buildings as we progress.

“Anyone who wants to is very welcome to come inside to be warm and comfortable in a friendly environment.

“These are very worrying times for many people and we hope the warm places can help to ease some of the pressure our communities are feeling.”

People can access support and advice from organisations on select dates at the different libraries across Wrexham. These drop in sessions will take place at the following locations:

  • Friday, October 7, 2022 – Wrexham Library, 10am – 2pm
  • Friday, October 21, 2022 – Cefn Mawr Library, 10am – 2pm
  • Friday, November 4, 2022 – Brynteg Library, 12pm – 3pm
  • Friday, November 18, 2022 – Chirk Library, 10am – 2pm
  • Friday, December 2, 2022 – Coedpoeth Library, 2pm – 5pm
  • Friday, December 16, 2022 – Rhos Library, 11am – 3pm
  • Friday, January 6, 2023 – Gwersyllt Library, 2pm – 5pm
  • Friday, January 20, 2023 – Ruabon Library, 2pm – 5pm
  • Friday, February 3, 2023 – Llay Library, 2pm – 5pm
  • Friday, February 17, 2023 – Wrexham Library, 10am – 2pm

Caia Park Partnership is hosting a cost of living event on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, between 10am – 2pm. The event takes place at The Hub, Prince Charles Road, Caia Park, Wrexham LL13 8TH.

Wrexham Council is looking to extend the offer of warm places around Wrexham and is looking for community and third sector organisations to get involved in the project.

If your organisation has public space with capacity for people to spend time in a comfortable environment and you’d like to support the project, please email [email protected].

Wrexham Council has also issued a series of tips on how to reduce the amount of energy you use at home, including:

  • Replacing traditional lightbulbs with LED ones. LED bulbs use about half the energy of the bigger fluorescent spiral energy-saving bulbs. So, when it’s time to replace your bulbs, consider LED replacements.
  • Draught proofing your home. It can be relatively cheap and simple to draught proof your home using materials from a DIY store. You can get rolls of draught-excluding foam tubing for windows. To stop cold air getting in through your front door, consider a draught brush for the letterbox and maybe a cover for the keyhole.
  • Filling your washing machine. Making sure you fill up the machine each time you run it will mean you have fewer loads, saving energy.
  • Only boiling the amount of water you need. The more water you boil, the more energy you use. Only boil the water you need each time. Making sure any devices aren’t left on standby. The Energy Saving Trust says you can save up to £40-a-year saving by switching devices off standby.
  • Adjusting your radiator thermostats. If you have them use them, you may not need to heat every room.
  • Insulating your hot water cylinder. If you have a hot water cylinder that’s uninsulated, it will be losing heat. This means the water inside cools down faster. Fitting a hot water jacket could save around £40 a year.
  • Checking your boiler pressure. This tells you the pressure of the water circulating in the heating system. If this is too slow, it will make your system inefficient and using more energy to heat your home.

Council tenants can also access support, advice and guidance through the Financial Inclusion Officers based in the local housing estate offices.

Tenants can check they are receiving their full benefit entitlement by using the Entitled To benefits calculator.

The Nest scheme offers free, impartial advice and, if you are eligible, free home efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating, insulation, or solar panels.

GOV.UK’s Help For Households page contains useful information about the types of help and support available.



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