Rutland warm bank appeals for more volunteers after surprise demand
Ryhall Library's opening as a warm space more often next month
A Rutland 'warm bank' is opening for more days next month, following a successful past few weeks.
Anyone in need of a heated space is being welcomed to Ryhall Library every Wednesday for a few hours at a time, as well as those who just fancy popping down for a chat and a cup of tea.
Charlotte Davis' 'Ryhall Warm Welcome' campaign has been so popular that the library will open as a warm space on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in December - on days when the library isn't normally open to the public.
She tells us it's a bittersweet feeling that she's able to help people in a situation they shouldn't be in:
'It's 2022, we should not be in this situation in the UK, there is enough money to go around it's just in the wrong places.'
'I've had folks say to me "really, is that happening in Rutland? Surely that's just the big cities?" No, it's absolutely not, it's happening everywhere, within our communities. We have had folk coming here that live in the village, not even just for heating to be fair but just for that community spirit - having some company.'
'I'm really fortunate that for November, all our Wednesdays have been fully volunteered and even with a waiting list. When we're opening for three days a week in December it's much more of a struggle to man the library because it's not just about people coming to unlock a door, we need people that can genuinely bring some warmth.'
As part of their Autumn Budget, the Government announced cost of living support worth £26 billion in 2023-24 would be set aside to help the most vulnerable households.