As part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council's work to support citizens during the cost-of-living crisis, the authority has launched its 'Warm Welcome' scheme.

The council will scheme opens up locations across the Vale to create a network of community spaces. These will offer a warm and inviting place for people to come together at no cost, enjoy a range of activities, should they wish, and access cost of living support.  

Among them are venues in the Penarth area including Landough Out Loud Youth Club at Llandough School, the Salvation Army at Plassey Street, Penarth Library, Dinas Powys Library and Activity Centre, Murchfield Community Centre at Sunnycroft Lane, Dinas Powys and the Vpod Bus in at Sully Sports and Social Club, South Road, Sully.

Details of what is on offer at each location can be found as part of the Cost of Living Support Hub on the Vale of Glamorgan Council's website. The Hub also provides information on accessing cost of living support grants and how to access advice and other support from the Council and a range of partners. 

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "The cost-of-living crisis is forcing many people to make impossible decisions. Having to choose between paying energy bills or buying food should simply not be acceptable for anyone in any community.

"I detest the fact that people can't afford to heat their homes or feed their families and we find ourselves in this situation

"Throughout the summer we have been developing services to provide advice and support to those that need it, as well as administering hundreds of thousands of pounds of support grants.

"As we move into winter we wanted to not only increase the support on offer, but find a way to bring our communities together. Starting this week more than 20 locations will be offering a Warm Welcome to residents. Activities on offer include cooking classes, children's activities, craft sessions, all alongside the chance to have a warm drink in a warm spac

"We expect this number to grow as we work with local community groups and some of our voluntary and third sector partners to help them develop their own schemes and we are keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved." 

All of the locations offering a Warm Welcome in the Vale of Glamorgan are free to access and activities are spread across all seven days of the week. Each location offers a different opportunity to enjoy some company, get involved in an activity, and take advantage of the facilities available.