BUSINESSES and community groups that have opened their doors to the people of Derby in a bid to keep them warm this winter have been described as ‘absolutely inspiring’ by their local MP.
Derby North MP Amanda Solloway has been visiting some of the spaces set up across the city that are offering a warm welcome to those struggling to heat their homes during the cost-of-living crisis.
She found that the warm spaces were offering somewhere for residents to go to keep warm, meet other people, or even to use an alternative place to work or study.
The New Zealand Arms, in Langley Street, has been welcoming visitors keen to keep warm during the day for the last three weeks and they’ve seen students, pensioners and even business owners making use of the free wifi and refreshments.
Among the regular visitors is Pat Surrell, 75, who pops into the pub three or four times a week to enjoy a warm-up, a free lunch and some board games.
She said: “The staff here are wonderful because nothing is too much trouble. It means I don’t have to have the heating on at home and I don’t have to keep making drinks to keep warm. They even make us a bit of lunch – in fact they know I like tomato soup so they went out to get a tin especially for me.
“We’ve been playing Connect 4 today but there’s always something to do or people to chat to. The TV is on as well and there’s board games too.”
Landlord Pete Wilson said around 10 to 15 people have been dropping into the pub each day and were able to play pool and darts free of charge and enjoy limitless free tea and coffee.
He said: “The most important thing, we feel, is that there is no stigma attached. People are made extremely welcome by all the regulars and they are free to sit wherever they like, without any expectation that they have to buy something.
“It makes total sense for them to come here because we have the heating on anyway and we’re making food for our customers, so it’s no problem at all to rustle up a bit more.
“Pubs should be the heart of a community and we are based in the middle of a residential area – there are 23,000 people within a 10 minute walk – so we want anyone who needs a bit of company and somewhere warm for the afternoon to pop along.
“We’ve even had small business owners and students set up desks in the pub. My daughter is at university and I would hope that she’d have somewhere to go like this. It costs us pence, but money can’t buy somewhere safe, warm and friendly – it’s priceless to some people.”
Just round the corner the New Zealand Community Association throws open the doors to the Lonny Wilsoncroft Community Centre, in Stepping Lane, once a week offering free entertainment as well as central heating.
During Amanda’s visit around 15 people were watching Bohemian Rhapsody on a big screen, while volunteers – including former Mayor of Derby, Lisa Higginbottom – made their lunch.
Chair of the association Mandy Coons said: “We have entertainment one week and then a film the next, so that the community has something to look forward to. The singer really attracts the crowds, we had 30 people here last week.
“It’s just a lovely atmosphere and we serve free hot drink and a bite to eat – today we’re offering roast beef or turkey sandwiches. We’ve even got horse radish and cranberry sauce.”
The Feel Alive Hub, which is based at the Aspire Community and Wrestling Alliance on St Mark’s Road in Chaddesden is another ‘warm space’ in the city, funded by the National Grid.
The community club is for adults with learning difficulties, who go there to take part in activities such as crafts, woodwork, dance and drama classes as well as fishing trips and visits to the gym.
They are also building up life skills by serving refreshments and light lunches to members of the community who call in for a warm up on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Director Babette Grimaldi said: “We’ve had about 10 new people each day and it’s a win-win situation. They are saving money on their gas and electricity bills and our young people are learning how to be around new people, forming relationships with the community.
“We would welcome any new people to come along, especially those who live alone and would just like some company. We have toys and games to keep children occupied and visitors can join in with our activities or just sit by themselves – there’s no judgement from anyone.”
Amanda Solloway said: “It is absolutely inspiring to see people in our community opening up warm and welcoming spaces for the most vulnerable in our society; not just helping to keep them warm this winter ,when we all know the cost of living is high, but going above and beyond to make sure their visitors have a comfortable visit.
“They are providing free drinks, lunch, activities and, best of all, company. January is a very lonely time for many people, when the days are long but the daylight short.
“These businesses and organisations are actually providing a lifeline to some people and I can’t thank them enough for all that they are doing. I really believe the people of Derby are among the kindest in the UK and when times are tough they all pull together.
“I would urge anyone who is sat at home, worried about the cost of putting the fire on, or just feeling a bit lonely, to think about visiting a warm space.”