Wrexham Council has provided an update on how they plan to support residents with the cost of living crisis in January. 

The cost of living crisis is affecting millions across the UK, and Wrexham is no different. 

With the current climate expected to continue into 2023, the council has issued an update on what support will be available next year. 

Having already set up warm hubs in libraries across the city, there will be a lot more 'warm places' in Wrexham. 

A number of local organisations expressed an interest in becoming ‘warm places’ with help from a Warm Places Grant.

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The council will be awarding 22 grants in the first round of allocations. This will help increase the number of places where people can keep warm and access support and advice this winter.

Councillor David A Bithell says: “Our libraries were among the first places in the county borough to set up as warm places, and anyone is welcome to go into our libraries to keep warm whenever they’re open.

“Our grant initiative will help expand the scheme, and we’re processing applications as quickly as possible so new locations can get up and running.

“Many people are struggling to heat their homes due to energy costs, but by increasing the number of warm places in the county borough, we can at least provide people with somewhere warm, friendly and supportive during the day.”

In January, the authority will also be starting ‘soup and a chat’ events at sheltered housing units across the county borough.

They’ll be providing hot soup and a roll, and a hot drink to tenants in sheltered accommodation, and housing officers will be on hand to provide advice and support on housing and financial issues.

It’s part of its warm spaces initiative and will give some of the most vulnerable members of the community the chance to meet with neighbours and access help in a warm and safe environment.

Cllr Bithell said: “Some of our most vulnerable residents live in sheltered accommodation, and this is a great initiative that will really help tenants who are struggling with the cost of living.

“Of course, we realise that older people are not the only ones in need of support, and housing officers are also carrying out telephone welfare calls and visiting our most vulnerable council tenants.

“We’re here to support local people in any way we can, and we all have a duty to look out for those who are most at risk within our communities.”

Lastly, the council has been holding drop-in events across the county borough over the last few weeks, where you can get face-to-face advice on cost of living issues.

They are set to continue in the new year, on the following dates: 

  • Friday, January 6, 2023 – Gwersyllt Library, 2pm-5pm
  • Friday, January 20, 2023 – Ruabon Library, 2pm-5pm
  • Friday, February 3, 2023 – Llay Library, 2pm-5pm
  • Friday, February 17, 2023 – Wrexham Library, 10am-2pm

Your Money Matters is a campaign launched by us and our sister titles across Newsquest to help you overcome the surge in the cost of living. This year has seen a whole host of household price increases — from the energy price cap rise to surging inflation and food prices — costing your family hundreds or even thousands of pounds extra per year. We’re making it our mission to look out for your cash, offering money-saving deals, competitions, giveaways and insightful stories from your community on the impact this cost-of-living crisis is having on our readers. The worldwide energy crisis exacerbated by the Ukraine invasion, the financial impact of the Covid pandemic, record inflation figures and a surge in the cost of goods, fuel and travel means we will all feel the pinch. Through our newspaper, we want to do what we can to help make your cash go further because we know your money matters.