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As the cost of energy rises for households, Co-op and the Warm Welcome campaign have joined together to help grow the number of Warm Welcome Spaces and help people stay warm this winter.

Warm Welcome’s vision is to enable a more deeply connected society where everyone has free access to welcoming community spaces and can access support, particularly if they are affected by the cost-of-living crisis and loneliness. In the two years since it launched, it has helped an average 120,000 people a week.

There are now 4,000 registered Warm Welcome Spaces of every shape and size, including community centres, libraries, churches, community cafes, arts centres, local businesses and schools.

Co-op is committing to support Warm Welcome’s 100% Pledge, to ensure everyone in the UK can find a Warm Welcome Space within 30 minutes’ walk of wherever they live.

Co-op is one of the first campaign partner to take the pledge, promising to help its members find their local Warm Welcome Space, work with its community partners and local causes, and to share opportunities for funding and other support with organisations that have signed up.

David Luckin, head of community funding and partnerships, said: “As temperatures fall, it’s important to remember how vital a warm space is to provide warmth and connection to those facing hardship and struggling to heat their homes this Winter.

“Co-op is proud to be a partner of Warm Welcome Spaces, making a 100% pledge for a Warm Welcome for All so everyone in the UK has free access to much needed welcoming community spaces that bring connection, friendship, and support as well as warmth.”