PREPARATIONS are being made to open ‘warm banks’ in the city to help people struggling to keep warm this winter.

Worcester Community Trust is drawing up plans to use its facilities, including some of its six hubs in the city in Dines Green, Tolladine, Ronkswood, Warndon and Brickfields, as “warm hubs” this winter in response to the huge hike in the price of gas and electric.

The charity’s chief executive Jon Newey said the ‘warm hubs’ would provide a comfortable and heated space for people to grab a hot drink, charge their phones and log onto the Wi-Fi, and would run alongside the trust’s existing community fridges and breakfast clubs.

The energy price cap will increase by more than 80 per cent to £3,549 from October 1 with the average yearly bill for households on a default tariff rising by £1,578.

WCT chief executive Jon Newey said: “We’re currently working with a range of other organisations in the city to create ‘Warm Hubs’ at our centres to give people a comfortable space to go over winter.

“The aim is to invite people in to make them comfortable, grab a cup of tea, enjoy the heating, charge their phone and use the Wi-Fi.  These will work alongside the trust’s already existing services such as the community fridges at Tolly and Ronkswood, breakfast clubs, coffee mornings and ‘snack and chats’ across the city and a range of free youth and family activities and one-to-one advice services.

“We’ll also be running a ‘How to Cook on a Budget’ and offering one-to-one advice around budgeting and energy management from the autumn in partnership with Cadent.”

Worcester City Council will be discussing plans to help residents struggling with rising inflation, soaring energy bills and the cost-of-living crisis at a meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday including money for the Citizens Advice Bureau to hire extra staff and provide more drop-in sessions.

Councillors will also look at funding free school meals during school holidays across the next six months.

Anyone interested in supporting can contact the trust via email at enquiries@worcestercommunitytrust.org.uk using ‘Warm Hubs’ in the title.