A network of ‘Warm Rooms’ has been established in Beccles to help support residents struggling with the rising cost of living.

Having launched in August 2021, the Beccles Community Hub and Volunteer Centre is a place for local people to bring and receive donated items, participate in activities and learn more about local services and support.

In recent months, the Community Hub has been supporting the community with the rising cost of living.

As part of this, they have co-ordinated a network of spaces in Beccles, known as ‘Warm Rooms’, for use over the autumn and winter where people can go during the day to save the cost of heating their homes.

All venues offer hot drinks, and some are also offering lunchtime meals.

As well as the Warm Rooms, the Community Hub is involved with the Comfort Food scheme where local households in need can access a free hot meal.

This scheme is funded by East Suffolk councillors Caroline Topping, Sarah Plummer and Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw and Peggy McGregor, who was Suffolk County Councillor for Beccles when the scheme was established.

It is voucher-based, meaning a household must be issued with a voucher from a referral hub in the town.

Once the household has the voucher, they can redeem it at local cafés.

The Hub is also supporting local volunteers to knit gloves, scarves and blankets so that locals can keep warm.

Working with partners in the voluntary sector, East Suffolk Council is creating and funding a network of warm spaces in venues across the district, including local community buildings, where people can gather and stay warm during the colder months.

The council’s overall Ease the Squeeze programme is worth more than half a million pounds - and more than £70,000 of this will be invested in Warm Rooms this year.

Caroline Topping, chair of the Community Hub and East Suffolk ward councillor for Beccles, Worlingham, Barnby and North Cove, said: “Beccles Community Hub is an amazing space.

"The volunteers have been absolutely brilliant and I would like to thank them all.

"I would also like to thank all of the people who bring their items to us for giving to a new home.

"This is making a huge difference to people’s lives and extending the lifespan of products that might have been thrown away so also good for the environment."

The Beccles Warm Rooms are available:

Monday - Butchers Arms (3pm to 6pm).

Tuesday - Beccles Library (9.30am to noon), Butchers Arms (3pm to 6pm).

Wednesday - Salvation Army Hall (10am to 2pm)*, Butchers Arms (3pm to 6pm).

Thursday - St Luke’s Lunch Club (12.30 to 2pm), Butchers Arms (3pm to 6pm).

Friday - Hungate Church (10am to noon), St Michael’s Church (10am to noon), Hungate Church (noon to 1pm)*, Butchers Arms (3pm to 6pm).

Saturday - St Luke’s Café (9.30am to 11am), Beccles Library (9.30am to 5pm).

Sunday - Beccles Library (10am to 4pm).

* lunches served.

Anyone wishing to use a Warm Room is welcome to turn up, with no need to book.

Any voluntary organisations or businesses interested in donating space to become a Warm Room should email communities@eastsuffolk.gov.uk