Suffolk Libraries will again be running a ‘Warm Welcome’ campaign over the coming winter.
Building on the success of previous years, Suffolk’s libraries will once again serve as warm spaces to help anyone affected by cost-of-living increases or struggling to heat their homes. As well as simply offering a friendly welcoming space for people to come in and keep warm, many libraries will be offering free hot drinks and ‘kindness racks’ with free, high-quality donated clothing available to take away.
This year’s campaign has been given a boost thanks to a grant of £5,000 from the East of England Coop to cover the cost of tea, coffee, sugar, milk, breakfast bars and period products which Suffolk Libraries is able to offer for free.
Suffolk Libraries was one of the first library services to announce it would be offering warm spaces back in September 2022. Last winter 19,397 hot drinks were given out from the county’s libraries and the campaign has been making a real difference over the past two winters.
With the weather already starting to cool down, Suffolk Libraries is launching the campaign now to help spread the word. Suffolk Libraries is appealing for financial donations to be able to offer even more support to help people over the winter period. This can be done online or through collecting boxes which will be in each library.
Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries, said:
“We want to remind people that if you’re struggling with money or your wellbeing, you’re welcome in the library. You don't need to take part in a library activity or borrow a book - it's fine to simply come into our libraries to escape the cold, find a friendly face and enjoy the company of others. Almost everything on offer is free and whilst you’re in the library you might also find out about a service, activity or another organisation who can help. Our warm welcome has made a real difference to hundreds of people over the past two winters and we’re pleased to be able to extend this welcome for the coming winter.”
Angela Carpenter, Community Support Manager at the East of England Co-op, added:
“It is a privilege to be able to share some of the East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund with Suffolk Libraries to support their important project to offer warm spaces and hot drinks. We would like to thank Suffolk Libraries for their commitment to supporting communities across Suffolk through their great work and the variety of services available at their libraries.”
Suffolk Libraries will also be working with BBC Radio Suffolk and other local organisations to run a Christmas toy appeal. Last year libraries collected and donated over 2,500 brand new toys to local families in need. This appeal will officially be launching in the coming weeks.
