Poole residents to stay cosy as first ‘warm bank’ is set up

Poole residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis need never worry about the cold, as BCP Council is providing its first ever ‘warm bank’ as a response to the news that the average household’s yearly energy bill is set to rise to £3,549 in October.

Based in Rossmore Leisure Centre in Poole, the ‘warm bank’ will provide a safe space, free-of-charge for those worried about fuel bills this winter. The council hopes the bank will open by the beginning of October and invites local residents to use the space, which will be open at the same times as the leisure centre.

Councillor Sean Gabriel, who is involved with the centre’s management said: “Particularly in the winter it’s going to be challenging for some people so it’s somewhere that they can come and feel safe and feel warm because a lot of our customers say they feel safe at Rossmore… especially if some people are feeling quite lonely, they can come here and meet new friends.”

Fitness manager at the centre, Dilan Tunc, added: “With electricity bills and everything going up at the moment, it’s just a place for people who either live on their own, elderly to come in and have a communal feel, to stay warm and we’ll have books, puzzles, games and magazines for people to use as well. We also have a café for people to have hot drinks and food during the day.”

On top of that, locals can charge their phones free-of-charge and take advantage of free internet access.

‘Warm banks’ are not a new idea, but financial guru Martin Lewis recently raised awareness of them, tweeting his 1.7 million followers, saying: “Can’t believe I’m writing this, but I wonder if this winter we’ll need ‘warm banks’, the equivalent of ‘food banks’, where people who can’t afford heating are invited to spend their days at no cost with heating (eg libraries, public buildings)?”

Some people will have to make hard choices about which bills they can and cannot afford this winter, and Age UK is concerned; lack of heat can be risky or even fatal to vulnerable groups, particularly the very young, the elderly and those who are ill. A study by the charity found that in the ten years from 2006 to 2016 approximately 250,000 older people died from the cold; the equivalent of one death every seven minutes. And it estimates that there have been 2.5 million avoidable deaths in England and Wales over the last 60 years. caused by the cold.

Commenting on the initiative, Mayor of Poole and ward councillor Tony Trent, said: “I think it’s an excellent idea, last week at a housing conference we discussed how and where these can be set up so it’s nice to see one actually being set up because I think there will be some people in dire need of somewhere warm to go.”

Rossmore Leisure Centre is asking for further donations of books, games and puzzles.

For information about the centre’s opening hours click here