February can be a difficult month to get through. We are all getting a bit fed up with the winter weather and being wet and/or cold. 

I often work from home, but I am worried about the cost of my gas central heating so I sit at my kitchen table with multiple layers on and a hot water bottle on my lap as I watch the temperature on the thermostat drop down to about 12 degrees.  

I am not alone. This is an issue faced by households across Derbyshire. It is particularly worrying for people on low incomes that are home during the day and who may need to keep the house warm due to having young children, a medical condition made worse by the cold or are elderly. 

Village halls and community buildings have stepped up, with some funding support from Derbyshire County Council, to provide ‘Warm Hubs’.  These informal sessions welcome in anyone and everyone from the local area to share the warm space and enjoy the company of others. There are often activities for a variety of age groups and of course the essential hot drinks and biscuits. 

I would urge you to seek out a Warm Hub in your local area and go along. Maybe you could volunteer to help run the sessions or just enjoy the company and give your own central heating a rest. 

Here is a list of Warm Hubs in South Derbyshire from the DCC website, but I am sure there are others that are not on the list. If there isn’t one in your area, why not think about setting one up and applying for funding? 

• Rosliston Warm Hub, The Bulls Head, 19 Burton Road, Rosliston, DE12 8JU, tel: 01283 362780, warm space and hot drink on Wednesdays from 2.30pm to 4.30pm 
• Warm Lounge, Emmanuel Church Hall, DE11 8LF, Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm 
• Warm Welcome, The Salvation Army Swadlincote, 181 Wilmot Road, Church Gresley, DE11 9BN tel: 01283 216264, warm space and hot drink on Mondays from 1pm to 5pm 

• St Helen's Church, Church Hill, Etwall, DE65 6LW, Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm 
• Rosliston Warm Hub, The Bulls Head, 19 Burton Road, Rosliston 
• Warm Lounge, Emmanual Church Hall, Swadlincote 
• Warm Welcome, The Salvation Army, 181 Wilmot Road, Church Gresley, Swadlincote 
• St Helen's Church, Church Hill, Etwall 

We have created a Facebook group so that all those involved with Warm Hubs can share suggestions and their own experiences to help others who might be just starting out.  

If you are part of a community building committee, why not sign up your hall to our Village Halls & Community Buildings Membership Scheme? At just £1.73 per week you will have access to a range of specialist support and advice. Drop me an email or give me a call.  

[email protected] 01629 592970 / 07540 736118