A CHARITY is working with community groups to set up a venue to help those struggling to pay their heating bills to keep warm this winter.

GL11 Community Hub in Cam is working with civic leaders and others to establish a venue which would be open every day.

The hub recently started running a cost of living support day each Wednesday where people can drop in for advice and support and enjoy social activities.

Paul Rainger who works with GL11, said the new warm venue would be open from 10am to 7pm every day to provide a heated space for people.

The venue will run at a location yet to be arranged.

Residents would be able to to grab a hot drink and meal, access services and the venue would run alongside the hub's existing food bank and community pantry.

He said: "Everyone can see the cost of living crisis coming.

"We know that a lot of people are going to be impacted for heat and food.

"We want to reach those who have not been reached before and we want to bring everyone together.

"We want to create somewhere warm and safe where people can be warmly welcomed over the winter months.

"At the moment we're coordinating a community response with other partners."

According to the charity, an estimated 40 per cent of households nationally will be in poverty this winter.

During the pandemic the hub opened a foodbank and it has recently opened a community pantry.

The group held a meeting last month with civic leaders and representatives from the NHS, churches, the Chantry Centre and Stroud District Council to establish a working partnership.

Indigo Redfern, CEO of GL11, said: "There is a great collective will amongst us all to work together to provide spaces in Cam and Dursley every day of the week where people can be sure of a warm welcome and good company this winter.

"Our own café serves £1 breakfasts, potluck lunches and suppers, with free hot drinks, cakes and internet access, alongside help and advice with debt, benefits, housing, employment and wellbeing."

Labour parliamentary candidate for the area Simon Opher said: "Indigo and the rest of the GL11 team have worked so quickly to get this off the ground.

"This is what bottom up community support should look like. We're in for a bumpy ride and we must look after the less well off."

MP Siobhan Baillie said: "I welcome any initiative to keep vulnerable people safe and warm this winter and I will be asking to visit the venue in the coming months to see the work taking place and to talk with the organisers and those using it.

"There is considerable government heating support this winter for everyone but in particular pensioners, the disabled and those on mean tested benefits, including extra cost of living money.

"However, it appears that sometimes this is not fully known or understood.

"I would urge everyone to look at the government's support available at tinyurl.com/mr427e9x "This can help everyone understand what support is out there and if they are eligible to claim it.

"In addition, £500 million of funding has been given to councils for a household support fund.

"This discretionary money can help those who are struggling and it is being administered by Stroud District Council."

GL11 Community Hub was set up in 2001 and is based in Fairmead, Cam.

They run services that respond to community needs and social issues.

So far they have linked 14 new members with the community pantry and handed out over £2,500 in supermarket and energy vouchers.

For more information visit gl11.org.uk Anyone interested in supporting or volunteering can contact the hub via office@gl11.org.uk