Warm Hubs

1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd on 25 January 2023.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative

(Translated)

1. Will the Minister make a statement on the roll-out of the Welsh Government's warm hubs scheme? OQ58988

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 1:30, 25 January 2023

Thank you for the question. Warm hubs across Wales are now offering a range of support, depending on their location and their facilities. This includes a simple warm space with refreshments, to more substantive food, activities, free access to computers and Wi-Fi, and charging points for phones and tablets.

Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative

Thank you for that response, Minister. Will you join me in congratulating the faith communities across Wales, who've been particularly effective partners, that have engaged with the warm hubs scheme, across the country, in every corner of Wales? I know that, for example, Festival Church, in my own constituency—the church that I go to every Sunday—is one of those warm hubs that is reaching out to people in the local community and opening its doors in order to make itself available as a safe and warm space for people to be able to enjoy. But there are many thousands of these, of course, across the nation, and, therefore, would you join me in congratulating those faith communities, who've really worked hard to reach out and partner with the Welsh Government in order to deliver this important programme?

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 1:31, 25 January 2023

I will join you in congratulating faith communities who have played a part, as you say, across the board, all denominations. And indeed, on Monday, in our Cabinet cost-of-living sub-committee, we heard from the Muslim Council of Wales and, indeed, from the Church in Wales as well—Archbishop Andy John was talking about the food and shelter and fuel campaign that the churches have run. So, across all denominations, indeed, our mosques and temples, everyone's playing a key part, and I would like to particularly congratulate all our constituencies who've got those featured in their communities.

Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour 1:32, 25 January 2023

Minister, Cynon Valley boasts 19 winter welcome centres, offering local people a safe, accessible and warm environment during the day, and I'm sure that you would like to join with me in thanking all who are providing this invaluable resource this winter. The provision of advice and support for those who attend is a key objective of the centres. So, I'd like to ask what work is being done by the Welsh Government to facilitate the sharing of best practice in this regard, so that attendees can access the right support and that providers know what is expected of them.

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour

Thank you very much, Vikki Howells. And again, the representation across all constituencies—yours in the Cynon Valley—of volunteers running these projects, instigating these projects, and I want to put on record again my sincere thanks to all of the volunteers who are responding, helping to support their communities. Also, just to confirm, this goes back to our £1 million warm hubs spending, which we distributed via local authorities. They work with local partners in the development and delivery of warm hubs. And actually, your point about good practice and sharing good practice has been really important. We met again, as I mentioned, our Cabinet sub-committee, with the Welsh Local Government Association, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and Wales TUC on Monday, and, of course, sharing there of good practice, but also, as to the WLGA, I've met with leaders and they have exchanged good practice as we've met as well. I think this demonstrated the expertise that has now developed across Wales, and we will feed back what's working. I think that the development of those links to access to Wi-Fi, access to advice as well—. So, it's a place where every contact counts, for the 'Here to help' 'Claim what's yours' campaign—all sharing, but with volunteers at the heart of this.