Dial House Joins Network of Warm, Welcoming Spaces

Following a successful grant application to the Cheshire West and Chester Warm, Welcoming Spaces Fund, disability services charity Dial West Cheshire’s Dial House in Chester is now one of the venues across the borough identified as a warm, welcoming space.

As part of Dial West Cheshire’s warm space offer, free tea and coffee are available in its community café at Dial House. In addition, a new ‘warm, winter menu’ includes various meals, including homemade soups, snacks and cakes. In addition to receiving free hot drinks, customers can also access information on sources of support, such as the Household Support Fund, designed to help people through the cost-of-living crisis.

Social group activities such as the charity’s Dial Zoomers and T-Club are also promoted on the menu, and board games, jigsaws and puzzle books are available to enjoy while in the cafe.

Keith Roper, Dial West Cheshire’s Chief Officer, said: “The cost-of-living crisis, including increased energy bills, has exacerbated the difficulties and financial challenges many disabled and older people were already experiencing. It’s great that we can now offer customers free hot drinks, together with information and other sources of support. You can be sure of a friendly welcome and a place to feel safe and warm at Dial House, so pop in for a cuppa!”

John Heselwood of Cheshire Community Action, which is administering the grant fund for community buildings, groups and schools to create Warm, Welcoming Spaces on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council, added: “Dial House’s initiative is a great example of how the grant can help to extend existing community support, as well as enabling the set up new warm hubs from scratch.

“We’re handling applications for Warm, Welcoming Spaces on a first-come, first-served basis and reviewing them weekly so applicants can get a decision within two weeks of submission. We can make more than one award to the same organisation and the scheme is running until 26 March 2023, so there’s still time to get involved!”

For information on how to apply for a £500 Warm, Welcoming Spaces grant, visit Cheshire Community Action’s:

website.

For help with applications, call Cheshire Community Action on 01244 400222 or email: 

enquiries@cheshireaction.org.uk