Warm Hubs
About Warm Hubs
What is a Warm Hub?
‘Warm Hubs’ have been created by CAN as places within the local community where people can be assured of finding a safe, warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy refreshments, social activity, information and advice and the company of other people’.
Why is this Project needed?
Northumberland is one of the most sparsely populated counties in England with just 63 people per square kilometre. 40.7% of Northumberland’s population – 151,885 people live in rural areas (defined as small towns & fringes, villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings). Of these more than 20% are over the age of 65, 15,075 people report themselves as having a limiting long-term illness and 17,550 people are income deprived.
There is a nationwide agenda to tackle the problems associated with fuel poverty but rural isolation presents a significant barrier to reaching many of those most in need. This project seeks to overcome this barrier. Community Action Northumberland has a long history of working with rural communities and has a strong network of links with community anchors such as parish councils and village halls.
We believe that village halls and other community buildings provide a natural access point through which to reach local communities.
Warm Hubs - your questions answered
CAN’s award-winning Warm Hubs project was showcased at a conference held in Newcastle on 17th October 2019. Delegates from as far afield as Surrey came to find out about Warm Hubs and to discuss how other parts of the UK might start to benefit from the Warm Hub approach.
The following video showcases our Warm Hubs project explaining all about them.
This video was made at a conference we ran on Warm Hubs for stakeholders to find out more about them. It answers a lot of the questions people have about Warm Hubs.
How can a venue become a Warm Hub?
Community Action Northumberland works with village halls and other community
buildings to ensure that:
- The building is ‘fit for purpose’. CAN staff will support the management committee to undertake risk assessments, energy audits and accessibility checks. A small grant can be made available to carry out simple upgrades as well as support to find funding for more extensive work
- Governance and policies are in place
- Appropriate insurances and licences have been acquired
- Suitable volunteer recruitment processes
- Volunteers receive ongoing support and training in Dementia Awareness, Food Safety, Equality and Diversity, First Aid and more.
For further information visit warmhubs.com
How are the Warm Hubs run?
The scheme is very flexible and each Warm Hub will be run by local people for local people – ensuring that the scheme best meets the needs of their own community.
CAN staff are available to offer ongoing advice and support on a range of issues, including funding.
Who do I contact if I want to be involved?
If you are interested, please contact Marc Johnson,
Community Development Officer at CAN, who is managing the project:
List of Warm Hubs
The following list and map is of Warm Hubs operating in Northumberland, last updated in April 2024. We have deliberately not put contact details or addresses, as many are run by volunteers.
Northumberland Council has a separate list of Warm Spaces offering warm safe places for people to use in Winter.
If you’d like to make contact with a specific hub contact Marc Johnson marcjohnson@ca-north.org.uk
Map of Warm Hub locations
- Allendale Village Hall
- Amble
- Beadnell
- Belview Belford
- Berwick Voluntary Centre
- Branxton Village Hall
- Corsenside Hall
- Coquetdale Lunch Club
- Craster
- Crookham
- Eglingham Village Hall
- Embleton Church Hall
- Falstone Village Hall
- Haltwhistle
- Hepple
- Hexham Number 28
- Holy Island
- Humshaugh Village Hall
- Lesbury Village Hall
- Longframlington
- Longhorsley Village Hall
- Longhoughton
- Milfield Reading Room
- Mitford Village Hall
- Norham Village Hall
- Otterburn Memorial Hall
- Powburn Memorial Hall
- Prudhoe Church hall
- The Miners Lamp at Prudhoe
- Riding Mill Parish Hall
- Rothbury Jubilee Centre
- Seahouses Hub
- South Charlton Hall
- Stakeford Junction at Stakeford Methodist Church
- Stocksfield Community Centre
- Thropton War Memorial Hall
- Wark
- Whittingham Church
- Widdrington Station
- Wingates Hall
- Wooler URC
- Wylam St Oswins
