Centre for Warmth Fridays at Back of the Moss Community Centre this winter

The warm and inviting lounge

The Back of the Moss Community Centre in Heywood is holding an open evening this Friday (21 October), delivering a variety of free cost-saving initiatives to help keep the local community warm during the cost-of-living crisis this winter.

The day launches the centre’s ‘Centre for Warmth’ initiative, which will run on Fridays from 4 November until Friday 31 March 2023.

Thanks to funding from gas supplier Cadent, the centre - which is run by a charity and board of unpaid volunteers - will be opened on Fridays from 4pm to 7pm to provide free support and a warm space to those unable to heat their home over winter.

This includes hot drinks, a hot home-cooked meal, a lounge and a family movie room (children must be accompanied by an adult).

The centre already offers a service to help people complete their PIP applications and help vulnerable adults get on the priority service register as well as a whole host of sessions which are free or a small admission fee such as boxing, line dancing and tai chi and luncheon club amongst others.  

Manager Jane Catz said: "We are opening up the centre to those who struggle to heat their homes this winter, providing a warm space and a hot meal. Then the centre will open at 4-7pm on Fridays from Friday 4 November until Friday 31 March 2023."

Chris Furlong, chair of the charity which runs the centre, added: "We will offer energy-saving advice such as help with filling in forms or changing energy suppliers. Helping with working out how much energy you are using, how much each device costs etc. We will be offering energy-saving devices such as slow cookers and heat blankets to those that attend the warm events."

The open day on Friday 21 October starts at 5pm and runs until 7pm.