Qube launches Warm Space Project supported by Oswestry Town Council
Oswestry-based charity, Qube are working with Oswestry Town Council to initiate a ‘Warm Space’ project, which aims to support both the financial and mental burdens of the cost of living, especially during the cold, Winter months.
Qube has been working on creating a warm and inviting area within their gallery space that people can visit to enjoy a warm, social setting and access a hot drink.
They have taken the idea of the warm space further, by providing starter packs to visitors, which offers them the means to create a piece of warmth that they can take home. These will include yarn and either a crochet hook or knitting needles so people can create anything from a blanket or scarf to a bobble hat or some mittens, and of course, the creatives in the team will be able to support visitors in learning how to use these materials by teaching crochet and knitting.
The Qube team also have ambitious plans to support visitors in other ways too. They plan to provide support with the cost of living, by creating informative noticeboards full of pamphlets, helpline advice, and other useful documents such as weekly shops for £20 which will all be useful to those who need guidance. To further support this area, Qube is hoping to connect with the Citizens Advice Bureau to offer drop-in sessions that the community can access on a regular basis to discuss their concerns.
Plans are also in place to seek the assistance of a trained mental health nurse who can provide advice on why socialising and finding a craft, such as knitting or crochet, is great for mental health and well-being, as it’s realised mental health is a huge area that should be supported.
Gemma Manning-Bentley, Arts & Creativity Officer at Qube says about the project:
“We are delighted to welcome people within the community to our warm space! It’s a place where we hope the most vulnerable can make use of and feel comfortable during what we know are these tough times. Not only is it designed to relieve some of the pressures of the cost of living, but we hope that people can find refuge in knowing they are not on their own. We would be hugely grateful to anyone who can support us with donations of items such as yarn, crochet or knitting needles and pattern books.”
Oswestry Town Mayor, Councillor Olly Rose comments:
"Oswestry Town Council is delighted to support this project by Qube. Keeping warm during the winter months is so important and we are aware that the cost-of-living crisis has put additional pressure on household budgets. The Council also wants to tackle the issue of social isolation in our community, so this is a great project to be involved with.”
If you would like to make use of Qube’s ‘Warm Space’, please visit Qube, Oswald Road, Oswestry SY11 1RB (opposite Iceland). The team is ready to welcome you.
