Welcome places announced across Glasgow ahead of winter

Published: 17th of October, 2022

Almost 30 council and community venues have been announced as part of a network of designated welcome places for Glaswegians ahead of the onset of winter and as the cost of living and energy crisis continues to impact people of all ages.

The Council, working in partnership with Glasgow Life and voluntary sector organisations, has committed to providing as much practical support as possible over the next few months - and opening doors to anyone who needs that additional help in what is being heralded as the most challenging winter due to a range of factors.

As Councillor Ruairi Kelly, City Convener of Neighbourhood Services and Assets explains: "We know that in households across the city people are already choosing between fuel or food.

"This is only going to get worse as we continue to hear about inflation rises which has a knock-on effect on everyday life.

"The Welcome Places programme will be an evolving situation to meet the needs of our citizens and will be part of a range of measures that we are looking at.

"We have already released details of a £1million fuel support plan to help hard-pressed households - the Glasgow Fuel Support Project will help individuals and families with top-up payments, advice and assistance to help bridge the gap in bills.

"With Welcome Places we want to offer alternative solutions and a place for people to feel secure, warm, with company, and with a friendly face available to help as well as the chance to find out about other support being delivered, in some cases, by the third sector in our city."

The network of community venues and libraries across the city have been identified using a range of factors, including being as close as possible to direct transport links with maximum offer of space and facilities, and operating as business-as-usual venues in local neighbourhoods.

In some venues there will be the opportunity to engage in services and take part in activities in a warm place within normal operating hours.

Designated Welcome Places will also include welfare and refreshments, and the use of Wi-Fi and PCs in libraries, and will offer a welcoming sanctuary and heated spot for residents to spend some time in and save money.

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and City Convener for Culture, Sport and International Relations added: "Our facilities have been welcoming our citizens for many years, so it seemed the most sensible thing to extend this welcome further to people in need this winter.

"During scheduled opening hours no one will be asked to leave our buildings.

"By working with voluntary sector partners, support will be on hand to offer advice and guidance if it is wanted.

"We don't know what the impact is going to be - but what we do know is that everyone is bound to be touched by the cost of living or fuel crisis - that is a fact.

"Everyone will be made welcome in our venues. These are challenging times but by joining forces and strengthening community links, we will get through this together."

Officers will continue to liaise with partners to bring on additional venues to the Welcome Places network over the next few months and they will be promoted to local communities to make sure there is a high awareness among all ages.

Venues will start operating on a rolling basis from Monday 17 October and will adapt over the winter months to circumstances and to meet the needs of people who are attending.

Anyone experiencing any difficulties and in need of advice and guidance on a range of issues can also contact Glasgow Helps on 0141 276 1185 or at Glasgow Helps.

Updated information on the Welcome Places network as it evolves over the winter will be posted on this webpage.

The list of the first venues being designated Welcome Places include:

Bridgeton Library

Barlanark Community Centre

Barmulloch Residents Centre

Bridgeton Library

Castlemilk Community Centre

Cranhill Community Centre - Opening from 31 October

Drumchapel Library

Easterhouse Library @ The Bridge

Finns Place

Govanhill Community Centre

Kingsway Community Connections

Milton Library

Mitchell Library

Netherton Community Centre - Opening from 31 October

Parkhead Nazarene - Coffee and Company - Thursday evenings between 6pm and 8pm - opening from 3 November

Partick Library

Penilee Community Centre

Pollok Community Centre - Opening from 14 November

Pollokshaws Library

Possilpoint Community Centre - Opening from 31 October

Ruchill Golf Pavilion

Shettleston Library

St Aloysius Church - Opening from 9 November 

St Francis Centre - Opening from 14 November

The Charter (Tollcross Road) - Winter Warmer lunch cafe on Mondays between 12.30pm and 4pm. The Charter cafe is also open 10am-2.30pm on both Wednesdays and Fridays.

Woodside Library

Yoker Community Campus