AMBER ALERT – Cold Snap Hits North West: Here Is Where Blackpool Residents Can Find Warmth and Vital Support
An Amber Weather Warning for cold weather has been published for the North West region, urging residents to take precautions as temperatures drop throughout the week. With the cold posing a risk to the most vulnerable, Blackpool Council and its partners are mobilizing a wide range of services to ensure no one is left out in the cold.
The Blackpool Together campaign is activating community resources across the town, offering residents a place to keep warm, access food, and receive urgent support.
🏠 Warm Welcoming Spaces – Stay Cosy and Connect
Community spaces across Blackpool are hosting welcoming place sessions during the winter months, offering residents a place to keep warm, often with free or discounted hot food and drinks.
Local libraries and the three Blackpool Family Hubs (Central, North, and South) serve as welcoming spots all year round—providing free Wi-Fi, computers, and a warm area to sit and chat.
In addition to these regular spots, there are specific hubs offering a schedule of activities and support:
– The Community Hubs offer free food, refreshments, games, quizzes, bingo, and chair-based exercise at centres including Aysgarth, Spencer Court, Cherry Tree, Bostonway, Argosy, Tarnside, and Kincraig (check the website for the full timetable).
– Centres for Warmth at the Family Hubs and Claremont Community Centre provide confidential support and expert advice specifically on energy efficiency and managing utility bills.
🍽️ Food and Essential Support
For those struggling to put food on the table, several community initiatives are running:
– The Big Food Truck operates at various locations including Claremont Park, Blackpool Football Club, and Layton Methodist Church.
– Other essential services include St Thomas Church (hot food/snacks), the Salvation Army Citadel (hot meals, showers, and laundry for vulnerable adults), Amazing Graze Free Food Shop, and the Blackpool Community Grocery which allows residents to buy a basket of shopping for a heavily discounted price.
💡 Financial and Household Assistance
Help is available not only for keeping warm, but for making your home more efficient and managing debt.
– Energy & Household Bills Advice: Services like Cosy Homes in Lancashire can help assess eligibility for grants to improve home energy efficiency, such as insulation.
– Discretionary Support: The council’s Discretionary Support Scheme can provide urgent short-term help, including arranging top-ups for emergency supplies of gas or electricity for vulnerable residents. The Household Support Fund also offers targeted financial support to help with energy costs.
📞 Accessing Help – Learn More
Across the town, the council, community groups, charities and partners are offering a wide range of winter support, including energy and household bills advice, health and wellbeing sessions, and community activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, and knitting.
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞
Visit: www.blackpool.gov.uk/Together for a full overview of what’s available, including the complete, most up-to-date list of Warm Hubs.
– Freephone 0808 175 3379 (open 10.00am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday) – Email: support@blackpoolvolunteers.org.uk – Pop in: Volunteer Centre, 95 Abingdon Street, Blackpool, FY1 1PP (open Monday to Friday 9.00am until 5.00pm) – In Person: Pop into a local library or family hub to get signposting information
Winter kindness: Winter weather can really impact those most vulnerable. Please check in on any loved ones or neighbours who may need it this week.
