Warm Hubs project helping to keep out the cold
The Stonewater Retirement Living team is supporting customers through the cold weather by holding special events to keep people warm and stay connected with each other.
The Warm Hubs project, which began in autumn 2022, has been running across 18 retirement living schemes across the country, giving customers a chance to turn their own heating down for a few hours and warm up with some group activities.
Supported by Age UK, the sessions, which are being run in communal areas at the schemes, have included crafting afternoons, board games, food and drink, money advice, exercise, group discussions, digital skills training and more.
Olwen, from St Davids Court, Oldbury, said: “(the Warm Hub sessions) Gave me something to look forward to during the dark winter days.”
June, also from St Davids Court, said: “Felt like, one big happy family, it was a lovely build up to Christmas.”
Doreen, from Leominster, said: “It’s good to know we have a warm space where we can get together as, sometimes, I feel lonely.”
Joanne Morris, Wellbeing and Community Capacity Performance Manager at Stonewater, said: “Our Wellbeing Connectors saw attendance double as the sessions continued, as more customers used it as a chance to meet and chat with their neighbours, sometimes for the first time! “The weekly sessions included pop-up coffee shops, light lunches with soups and toasted sandwiches and afternoon crafting activities were popular choices. We’ve had board games and quizzes so we’ve really seen our brains getting some exercise as well as our bodies as arm chair aerobics was also a winner.”
Joanne also said that one digital skills session has helped one customer feel more confident with making video calls, and is now looking to buy a smartphone so they can speak to their relatives in Australia.
Following the success of the Warm Hubs, the Supported Living and Retirement Living Teams at Stonewater have secured more funding to expand the project, offering more customers a warm place to connect and engage with their neighbours. Our latest Warm Hub, in Swindon, is open twice a week and provides a warm space, hot drinks and snacks, advice and guidance on cost of living and energy saving, as well as free items for visitors such as hot water bottles, draft excluders and blankets.
If you or someone you know would like to find out more about our Warm Hubs, speak to your Wellbeing Connectors or get in touch with us.