A community scheme which gives residents a free, warm and comfortable space during the cost of living crisis is up and running in Trafford.
Trafford Living Rooms, launched by Trafford Council and its partners, is being co-ordinated by the six Community Hubs across the borough for the next six months.
The scheme offers at least one warm space for people across the borough to use during the crisis at different times between 9am and 7pm currently from Monday to Friday. For more information and to find out where the 40 plus Living Rooms are located, please log on to www.traffordhubs.org/lounge
The hubs were set up in March 2020 by voluntary organisations as part of the response to the Covid pandemic. They have since evolved to meet the needs of their local communities and provide a range of help and support for all local residents.
All Living Rooms offer a range of activities for everyone, free open access at certain times, toilets, comfortable seating, heating, as well as free refreshments and hot and cold drinks and snacks. Many also offer soup or a hot meal, wi-fi, charging points, use of laptops and TV and help with transport to and from the venue.
Cllr Jo Harding, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Strategic Partnerships said: “This cost of living crisis is proving to be an absolute nightmare for so many residents and businesses who are struggling to pay their bills. As a result, we are working closely with partners to try and help as many residents as possible to get through this awful time.
“The Trafford Living Rooms scheme provides a safe, warm, and comfortable place for people to go when they are struggling to heat their homes and pay other bills. Thank you so much to all our partners for their help and support in bringing this fabulous project to Trafford. I am sure it will be a massive success and help those struggling the most.”
Trafford Council has made supporting people out of poverty a major corporate priority along with reducing health inequalities and addressing our climate crisis. The Living Rooms are part of a package of measures to help residents and businesses get through the cost of living crisis. These include the creation of digital tools like Money Advice Referral Tool (MART) (trafford.gov.uk) to signpost people to support networks and places to get money advice.
The Council is also working with the largest housing associations to co-ordinate advice and information services, to grow its community network and improve the energy efficiency of homes. Councillors have also signed off additional funding for Trafford Citizens Advice Service which is helping thousands of residents across the borough. People can call its advice line on freephone number 0808 278 7803.
Also, a winter wellbeing pack is also being put together by the Council and its partners to be delivered to the homes of more than 3,000 people targeting those whose have been in hospital during the last 12 months and need some extra support.
Trafford Housing Trust (THT), part of L&Q, has provided grants to organisations in support of Living Rooms as well as ongoing grant funding for the Trafford Hubs. Aileen Edmunds, Head of Social Impact at THT, said: “Setting up warm spaces is essential to support people in need at this time of year. At THT we are determined that our customers and neighbours can access the help they need this winter. We are proud to support this project both financially and by dedicating our community asset Limelight as a Trafford Living Room.”
Posted on Wednesday 9th November 2022