Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Welcoming spaces are opening across Caerphilly County Borough to offer a “warm place and a friendly face” to residents during the cost-of-living crisis.

All of the welcoming spaces will be free to use and include libraries, community centres, church halls, sports clubs and other community spaces.

Council leader, Cllr Sean Morgan said: “We know how much residents are already struggling with rising prices across the board, and this network of welcoming spaces is just a part of our response.

“Each welcoming space may look different, whether they choose to offer activities, support or even hot food and drink – but all will share the ethos of offering a warm place and a friendly face this winter.

“The council is committed to supporting residents through the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. We will continue to work with our partners in the housing, voluntary and community sectors to do everything we can to support our communities.”

For those needing a warm place to go, there is somewhere open from Monday to Friday in Caerphilly County Borough.

Every Monday, Nelson community kitchen at the community centre is offering a hot meal to residents  at lunch time. Every Tuesday, arts and crafts, games and films are available at Blackwood cricket club.
Free afternoon tea is offered on Wednesdays at Pontlottyn Saint Tyfaelog Parish Church. There’s more arts and crafts at Rhymney ladies flower guild on Thursdays, and lastly, hot drinks are free at We Connect coffee shop and TLC Café on Fridays.

Additionally, all libraries will offer free hot drinks during their opening hours.

Below is a list of welcoming spaces, but the council has said that more are expected to be added to it by the end of the week.

• Aberbargoed Library
• Abercarn Library
• Abertridwr Library
• Argoed open spaces (time TBC)
• Bargoed Library
• Blackwood Cricket Club (Tuesday and Wednesday 3pm to 5pm)
• Blackwood Library
• Caerphilly Library
• Caerphilly Miners Centre (Friday 9.30am – 12.30pm)
• Deri Library
• Friends of Treowen Stars (Monday to Thursday 9am – 2:30pm)
• GDAS and Growing Spaces at Hafod Deg (Wednesday 10am – 2.30pm)
• Hollybush RFC (Friday 12pm – 3pm)
• Llanbradach Library
• Machen Library
• Markham Community House (Monday 11am -1pm)
• Nelson Community Centre (Monday 12pm – 2pm)
• Nelson Library
• Newbridge Library
• Oakdale Library
• Pengam Library
• Philipstown warm hub (First Monday of every month, 10am to 1pm)
• Pontlottyn Saint Tyfaelog Parish Church (Wednesday 12pm to 2pm)
• Rhymney Ladies Flower Guild (Thursday 2.30pm to 4pm)
• Rhymney Library
• Rhymney Penuel Baptist Church (10am to 1pm)
• Risca Library
• Risca We Connect Coffee Shop (Friday 6pm to 8pm)
• TLC Cafe (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1pm to 3pm)
• Whiterose Centre (New Tredegar Library)
• Ystrad Mynach Library

For more information on how to become part of the welcoming space network, contact the Caerphilly Cares team by email caerphillycares@caerphilly.gov.uk or telephone 01443 811490.

An application pack for additional funding to support the development of a welcoming space can be provided by the council.