Warm spaces open today - amid row over whether enough support is being offered
The full list of warm spaces across Torbay can be found below
There will be eight venues offering spaces where people can keep warm, have a meal, and get support with benefits across Torbay this Winter - with the first session taking place at Riviera Life in Torquay from 8.30 this morning till 2pm and more venues joining in over the next few days.
The confirmation comes after Steve Darling MP and local Lib Dem councillors have written to the Chief Executive of Torbay Council Anne-Marie Bond calling for more warm spaces 'after the council’s apparent failure to deliver on its commitment to support residents during cold weather'.
Liberal Democrat councillors Swithin Long and Cordelia Law pressured Torbay Council in early December 2024 at Full Council, to implement more warm spaces.
Councillor Long said “It is outrageous that after caving in to pressure and promising warm spaces that the Conservative administration have not delivered as promised. Residents who could have been warmer this winter will not have been. No progress appears to have been made, leaving many vulnerable residents without access to this vital support."
In response to a letter from the MP, a Torbay Council spokesperson said: “Thank you for your letter dated 15 January 2025 regarding Warm Spaces. Torbay Council is pleased to inform residents there are eight community venues who will be offering 22 sessions per week, starting Friday 17 January.
“This work has been led by Torbay Communities and, while several spaces agreed in principle to become a Warm Space, the council respected the Community and Voluntary Sector’s feedback that it was a difficult time to ask staff and volunteers to commit to more activity in addition to the Christmas work they were committed to.”
“The discussions were finalised when people returned after their Christmas breaks.
"Warm Space sessions are between 2 to 5.5 hours. This encourages a convergence of people so that there is an increased level of socialising, alongside the food and drinks offered. Venues are also offering support to apply for Pension Credit.”
Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “Many people will feel the pinch this winter as fuel bills rise and others become ineligible for the winter fuel payment.
“We want to ensure no one suffers or is forced to make a choice between heating and eating. Once again, our community partners are pulling together to make sure no one in Torbay is at a disadvantage.”
Tracey Cabache, Director of Torbay Communities, said: “It is really important that we continue to provide Warm Spaces for our more vulnerable residents over the winter period and we are grateful that Torbay Council has been able to allocate some funds to support this vital work.
“Our message to residents is to embrace these spaces, do not suffer in silence. You will not only find warmth and a hot meal at these venues – but a very warm welcome too.”
Sessions will be held at the following venues until March:
Torquay
Torbay Community Café and Help Hub, 4-8 Temperance Street, Torquay, TQ2 5PU
Tuesday to Friday 10am to 3pm from Tuesday 21 January
Riviera Life, Home Church, Babbacombe Rd, Torquay, TQ1 1HG
Thursdays 8.30am-2pm from Thursday 17 January
The Living Room, St Mary Magdalene Church, Union Street, Torquay. TQ1 4BX
Wednesdays and Fridays 10.30am to 1pm from Wednesday 22 January
Acorn Youth, Community and Sports Centre (newly reopened), 3 Lummaton Cross, Torquay, TQ2 8ET
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 11.30am-2.30pm from Monday 27 January
Windmill Centre, Pendennis Road, Torquay TQ2 7QR
Tuesdays 9am-2.30pm from Tuesday 21 January
Paignton
Haven, Gerston Christian Centre, Gerston Place, Paignton TQ3 3DX
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 10.30am-1pm from Tuesday 21 January
Foxhole Community Centre, Belfield Rd, Paigtnon TQ3 3UZ
Tuesdays 9am-12noon (not the 18 February) from Tuesday 21 January
Wednesdays 12noon-3pm from Wednesday 29 January
Brixham
YES Brixham at The Edge, Bolton Street, TQ5 9DH
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10am - 4.30pm, and Wednesdays 1- 4.30pm from Monday 20 January.
For more information on the support available if you’re struggling with the cost of living visit Torbay Council’s cost of living webpages: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/benefits/cost-of-living/
You can also call the Torbay Community Helpline on 01803 446022.