Safe and Warm Wiltshire

It is impossible to ignore the reality this winter has brought and we understand it is a concerning time for many. As things are, we all need somewhere we can feel safe and warm this winter season, and Wiltshire has been doing an amazing job of providing these spaces for the community. If you are looking for welcoming places to stay warm, meet new people and enjoy a few cups of tea with some friendly faces, read on.

Warm and safe directory

Wiltshire Council has also created an online interactive community directory to help people find the warm spaces and community food providers in the county to support them through the cost-of-living challenges. Each postcode will have specific features and advice, so head to the directory at Interactive Community Directory – Wiltshire Council (wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6801/Interactive-Community-Directory). Wiltshire Council will continue to keep this resource updated regularly to ensure that you are getting the most up to date information possible.

Warm and safe spaces in your area

North Wiltshire

• Calne Health & Social Care Forum has joined forces with the Area Board and Town Council to put on Calne Warm and Well on Thursday 8th December at 2 – 6.30pm at Calne Library. The aim of the event is to develop one place where Calne residents can rely on accurate information to stay warm and well over the next few months. There will be a free hot drink and slice of cake provided at the event and information from managing fuel bills and debts, to accessing tech support and energy saving advice and knowing about the network of warm spaces across the town will be accessible.
• Purton Red House, Church Street- Open Mondays to Wednesdays 6pm-11pm, Thursdays 6pm-12am, Fridays 4pm-12am, Saturdays 12pm-12am and Sundays 12pm-11pm.
• Swindon Central Library, Regent Circus- Open throughout the week from 10am-5.30pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm.
• Swindon Hub, The Parade- Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am-5pm.

East Wiltshire

• Aldbourne Library, South Street- Open Mondays 1.30am-4.30pm and 5pm-7pm, Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Thursdays 1.30pm-4.30pm and 5pm-7pm.
• Amesbury Library, Smithfield Street- Open Mondays 2pm-7pm, Tuesdays and Fridays 9.30am-5pm, Thursdays 9.30am-7pm and Saturdays 9.30am-1pm.
• Ludgershall Library, Memorial Hall- Open Tuesdays 2pm-4pm and Fridays 10am-12pm.

South Wiltshire

• St Michael’s Church & Community Centre, Monday to Fridays 9.30am – 2.30pm – St Michael’s Community Café is serving low-cost hot drinks and food from Monday to Friday. The community fridge and larder is also onsite which aims to help ensure nobody goes hungry. Contact bemerton.parish@yahoo.co.uk if you have any questions.
• Community Café at Salisbury Baptist Church, Tuesday 10am – 1pm – Free hot drinks, and refreshments, will be available in a relaxed and friendly environment which is open to all. There will also be financial and debt guidance, mental wellbeing support on the 1st Tuesday of every month, these groups are run by Salisbury City Council Communities team. Contact bhc@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk for more information.
• Lunch Club at the Friary Community Centre, Thursdays at 12pm – Come & share a meal, make new friends, and get to know the Salisbury City Council Communities Team. Booking is essential for this lunch club, so please call 01722 417100 or email bhc@salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk to secure your place.
• Bemerton Methodist Church Food, Fun and Friendship Group, Mondays during term time, 10am – 12.30pm – Activities include cooking, craft, board games, reflection, and a light lunch. Booking is required so contact Christine Fordham on owbemerton@gmail.com or call 07740512437.
• Salisbury Methodist Circuit, Café on the Green, Thursday in term time, 9am – 12pm – A place to meet and chat with toys and activities for pre-school children always available. Drinks and light snacks and cake served. No purchase is necessary, and your own food and drink can be brought to the Café. Contact owbemerton@gmail.com for more information.
• ArtCare Culture Club History Hub, 4^th Friday of every month 10am-12pm – History hub is a drop in community session where visitors will have discussions about artefacts and objects from the clubs’ historical archives over free tea and coffee. For more details artcaresalisbury.uk.
• Alabare Drop In, Monday to Saturday 11am-3pm – a drop in for those in crisis or facing homelessness, hot drinks, hot showers, support, advice and lunch.

For more warm spaces within the Salisbury area follow this link – carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/app/uploads/2022/12/Warm-Safe.png , or view this document – https://carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/app/uploads/2022/12/Warm_and_Welcoming_Spaces.pdf.

West Wiltshire

• Brunel House Care Home, The Wharf- Open Wednesdays 9.30am-12.30pm. Soup, a roll and a few friendly faces will be available for over 55’s.
• Bradford on Avon Library, Bridge Street- Open Mondays 10am-7pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 9.30am-5pm, Thursdays 9.30am-7pm and Saturdays 9.30am-4pm. Jigsaw puzzles and board games will be on hand for anyone looking for some entertainment.
• Devizes Library, Sheep Street- Opens from 9.30am each day but closes on Sundays. Hot drinks will be available during events and activities.
• Edington Parish Hall, Westbury Road- Open Thursdays from 2pm-4pm.
• Melksham Town Hall, Market Place- Open Mondays- Thursdays 9am-5pm.
• Trowbridge Library, County Hall- Opens Mondays – Saturdays 9am-5pm, plus Mondays and Thursday’s evening until 7pm.

For a more exhaustive list of safe and warm venues around Wiltshire click here – wiltshirelive.co.uk/news/wiltshire-news/warm-spaces-wiltshire-stay-warm-7874501 to see WiltshireLive’s accumulative list.