People struggling with the cost of living who used winter warm spaces could go back to being alone as weather gets warmer, an East Riding councillor has warned.
East Riding Council’s Economy Portfolio Holder Cllr Jane Evison said those who went and met people in local welcoming spaces risk going backwards as the need for the facilities passes.
Council Economic Development Director Claire Watts said voluntary groups could still fund welcoming spaces but more funding would need to come from outside the authority to support them.
It comes as the council’s Cabinet heard there were 47 applications for grants from volunteer and community groups to run welcoming places during winter, with around £135,616 paid out.
The council used a programme launched after the coronavirus pandemic to help provide places for people who could not afford to heat their homes to keep warm.
They also included games and activities so those visiting could socialise with others.
Cllr Evison said she was concerned that those who benefited from the spaces during winter could miss out on that social contact going forwards.
The portfolio holder said:
“I get that we don’t need the welcoming places any more because the weather will be warmer.
“But what this has done has brought people into the community who have previously been very isolated.
“This has really attracted them and they’ve felt able to engage with other people in their communities, it’s been really successful.
“But what are we going to do about those people who’ve come forward?
“There has to be some more funding so those people don’t just go and sit on their own again, that would be going backwards.”
Meanwhile, Public Protection Portfolio Holder Cllr Kerri Harold said she wanted to see more social supermarkets, like Withernsea’s SHoRes Community Pantry.
Cllr Harold added such supermarkets, which sell food to people on low incomes at cheaper rates than regular shops, could help them before they have to resort to food banks.
Councillors heard that while there were social supermarkets in Withernsea and Goole, there was felt to be a gap in Bridlington which could also benefit.
Cllr Harold said:
“There’s a community pantry in Beverley, but it only has capacity for around 300 people.
“What are we doing to address this gap?
“We’ve got empty shops in Beverley and Bridlington, there must be something we can do.”
Claire Watts said the social supermarket model would be looked at more closely once it has developed further, but added it could only sustain itself in certain places.
The officer said:
“There’s more social supermarkets, pantries and food banks than there was before and the numbers are growing.
“People are working hard trying to make social supermarkets possible, but if a village in a rural area can’t even sustain a shop then it probably can’t sustain a social supermarket.”
Council Leader Cllr Jonathan Owen said efforts to help those through the cost of living were set to continue for at least the next six months.
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