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During the winter, venues across Caerphilly County Borough started running warm hubs to help through the cost-of-living crisis

The aim of these was to bring people together and offer them a warm space, something to eat and a hot drink, as well as a place to socialise.

Community centres, churches, libraries, gyms, and sports clubs all made up the 32 free warm hubs – also known as welcoming spaces – across the borough.

The warm hubs were supported through Welsh Government funding between November and March. Since that funding has ended, many of the warm hubs have now stopped.

However, new funding from Caerphilly County Borough Council has meant some of these venues have been able to start running these hubs again.

One of these venues is the family-run community hub Libanus Lifestyle.

Based at the former Libanus Chapel, which was built in 1829 and is one of the oldest buildings in Blackwood, the not-for-profit Libanus Lifestyle is run by a small group of volunteers and offers a variety of classes and events.

The new welcoming space runs at the centre every Thursday between 10.30am and 1.30pm, with a free hot meal for those attending.

On Thursday May 4, a Coronation celebration was held at the welcoming space, which attracts nearly 30 people a week – some coming from as far away as Cwmcarn, Risca and Nelson.

But while the volunteers at Libanus are doing their bit to help during the cost-of-living crisis by opening their welcoming space, they themselves have been hit by rising costs.

Karen James, who runs Libanus Lifestyle, said: “It’s getting harder and harder. It costs us a lot of money to stay open.

She explained that in 2022, their quarterly gas and electricity bill for January, February and March came to around £500 – this year it has risen to £2,900 for the same period.

Work converting the former chapel into the strong community asset it is today began in 2015, with the building modernised and its churchyard converted into a vibrant garden.

The garden hosts an array of plants, fruit and vegetables, as well as beehives, compost bins, a shed and a cabin for community use.

Karen’s husband, Jeremy James told Caerphilly Observer about what’s next for the hub and said: “We’re hoping to get a new roof on the chapel and use the loft as a meeting space.”

He explained the current roof dates back as long as the 194-year-old building itself, with insulation desperately needed to keep the centre warm and drive down heating costs.

Speaking about the welcoming space, Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix said: “It’s a good project which gives people opportunities to have food and talk.

“It gives people some focus to their day and lets them get out there and socialise and have a good time.

“Karen and the team always put on food. It’s a really good asset for the community.”

Cllr Dix continued: “The team are always looking at what they’re doing and making sure they’re meeting community needs.

“The attendance is a testament to the hard work they put in.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at Libanus Lifestyle can call Sean James on 07942 185956.