Leisure centres in Oadby and Wigston have opened as ‘warm hubs’ to help people through the winter during the cost of living crisis.
Oadby’s Parklands Leisure Centre and Wigston Pool and Fitness Centre, are offering a safe place for the local community during the colder months.
They are the latest additions to 12 places in the borough where members of the public can seek refuge from the cold weather, socialise with friends, and save a bit on their heating bills until spring arrives. Free tea and coffee is available, as well as board games, colouring books.
Funded by a £1,000 grant from Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, the hubs are open until Friday, April 7, during specific days and times.
With the cost of living crisis becoming ever more prevalent, the ‘warm hub’ initiative is encouraging community sites to support those struggling with the expense of heating their homes.
The centres will be open to everyone, free of charge, so individuals do not have to be an Everyone Active member to take advantage of the warm space.
James Naylor, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We know the next few months could be difficult for many people, so we want everyone to know they have a safe and warm place to visit.
“We have a community feel at our leisure centres and we want to invite people to come down and make the most of the space, not only to stay warm, but to socialise with friends or use as a co-working area.
“It’s a free-of-charge offer to just come in and spend time with us, safe and warm.”
Councillor John Boyce, Leader of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council, said: “We launched our warm hub grant scheme so that we can support local groups, organisations and businesses that want to make a positive difference during the Cost of Living crisis.
“The take up has been tremendous and we now have 12 warm hubs in the borough, including those being offered by Everyone Active at Parklands and Wigston Pool and Fitness Centre.
“This is a great example of successful partnership working and of the community spirit we have in Oadby & Wigston – thank you to Everyone Active and the other local organisations that are using this grant funding to set up warm hubs for those in need.”
Parklands’ warm hub is based in the café from Monday-Friday (6.30pm-9.30pm). Free tea and coffee is available as well as board games, colouring books and hot water bottles, which can be taken away to keep warm.
In addition, free badminton is being offered in the sports hall from Monday-Friday (12noon-3pm), subject to availability.
The Wigston warm hub is in reception from Monday-Friday (8.30am-9pm) and at weekends (9am-5pm). Hot drinks, board games, colouring books and hot water bottles are available.
At both sites, people are welcome to turn up and speak to reception teams, without the need to pre-book a place.
Visit: www.oadby-wigston.gov.uk/warmhubs to find out more warm hubs in the area.
