Published 27 November 2023
By Lucy Ashton
A varied programme of events in welcoming warm spaces is available for residents during the colder months, as part of the council’s Winter in West Dunbartonshire initiative.
From family friendly clubs, to art and crafts, IT courses and book discussions, the schedule of free winter events taking place in buildings including libraries offers plenty of variety for residents of all ages.
The Council’s Winter in West Dunbartonshire programme, now in its second year, has been developed to ensure that any resident who wants to keep warm this winter can make use of the buildings open throughout the day, enjoy activities and access support.
It is one of a raft of initiatives from the Council which will help residents with the cost of living crisis.
Last year, a number of schemes were introduced to reduce the impact of soaring prices on residents, including a £1million cost of living fund, a £250,000 Energy Fund and £1000 a week additional funding for food banks.
Labour councillors Michelle McGinty and Clare Steel.
Councillor Michelle McGinty, Chair of the cross party Cost of Living Working Group, said: “We know many of our residents are impacted by the rising cost of living and this is even more of a pressure during winter when they need to heat their homes.
“Our priority remains to ensure that we do all we can to help people to stay warm in their own homes, and our range of initiatives through the Cost of Living fund will go some way towards this. Our Winter in West Dunbartonshire programme supplements this, and allows residents to make use of the large network of welcoming spaces we have, which will tackle loneliness and isolation as well as supporting people to keep warm.
“These hubs are open throughout the year but are especially important for vulnerable residents during the colder months.”
Councillor Clare Steel, Vice Chair of the Working Group, added: “Supporting our communities is always our priority and that is why, during this cost of living crisis, we are taking urgent, and tangible action to ensure that our residents are supported.
“Residents can attend for activities at these locations without any need to discuss their personal circumstances, which will help reduce the stigma that often exists around poverty and asking for support.”
As part of the Winter in West Dunbartonshire initiative, free tea and coffee will be provided across the library network.
The full list of events and activities is available here and will be updated regularly:
https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/winterinwd
If you are worried about the cost of living and are struggling financially, visit https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/benefits-and-grants/cost-of-living/ for some tips, or contact our working4U team via https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working4u
Another spin story from the Labour Council, only groups and clubs who currently use the libraries are given access, the general public are not mentioned which was the same as last winter hence the reason community groups had to step in to provide heat hubs.
Yep, it’s them damn spin doctors again and the council’s anti democratic Labour and SNP councillors who put this stuff out to the gullible press who don’t ask the questions that would elicit the detail. In my own case, they refuse to let me ask questions. Did you ever think you would see the day when Little Pravda would operate out of the Burgh Hall? Well, it’s been here for some time now and the Gauleiters are sticking to it. West Dunbartonshire Council really should grow up. The public are being robbed of £500,000 a year for PR which appears to attract more bad publicity than it does good.