RESIDENTS in South Somerset will be able to use warm spaces set up to tackle the current cost-of-living crisis and the rising cost of fuel.

Spark Somerset has been working with community partners to develop a network and online map of Warm Welcome spaces in the area to give residents the opportunity to “have a hot drink, charge their phones and receive advice on what additional support is available”.

Residents in Chard, Ilminster, Crewkerne, as well as other areas in South Somerset, will now be able to use these spaces.

There will be five Warm Welcome spaces in Chard three of them provided by the Talking Café, and one at Chard Library.

Chard Town Council recently launched a survey to understand the needs of its residents.

When announcing the survey, the council said “it was considering working with other partners to alleviate the crisis for the community”.

Here is more info about the centres in Chard:

  • Talking Café @ Chard, Ariel Healthcare, 59 Fore Street, Chard, TA20 1QA
    Opening days and times: Tuesday 10am-12pm (first Tuesday of the month);
     
  • Talking Café @ Chard, Ariel Healthcare, St Marys Crescent, Chard, TA20 2DZ Opening days and times: Tuesday 10am-12pm (2nd Tuesday of the month);
     
  • Talking Café @ Springmead Surgery, Summerfields Road, Chard, TA20 2EW Opening days and times: Tuesday 10-12pm (3rd Tuesday of the month);
     
  • Talking Café @ Guidlhall Chard, Guildhall, 14 Fore Street, Chard, TA20 1PH
    Opening days and times: Wednesday 10am-12pm;
     
  • Chard Library, Holyrood Lace Mill, Holyrood St, Chard, TA20 2YA
    Opening days and times: Mon, Tues, Fri 9:30am-4:30pm, Thurs 9:30am-5pm, Sat 9:30am-12:30pm

Ilminster Library, as well as Crewkerne Library, will have a Warm Welcome space too.

  • Ilminster Library, Ditton Street, Ilminster, TA19 0BW.
    Opening days and times: Mon, Weds, Sat 9:30am-12pm, Tues, Fri 9:30am-4:30pm.
     
  • Crewkerne Library, Falkland Square, Crewkerne, TA18 7JS
    Opening days and times: Mon 9:30am-1:30pm, Tues, Weds, Fri 9:30am-5pm, Sat 9:30am-12pm.

A full map of The Warm Welcome spaces is now live and can be viewed here.

People can use the map to locate a Warm Welcome space and find out when it’s open and what facilities are on offer.

Anyone who would like to add a group or venue to the map can visit this website.

There will be information and a registration form to help to set up, run or fund a Warm Welcome space.

More details are also available on Chard Town Council website.