Warm Hubs - Sheffield

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, the UK’s leading Social Enterprise – has opened three Warm Hubs at its facilities in Sheffield this Winter.

The three new hubs form part of the Sheffield Welcoming Places initiative and are located at Graves Health and Sports Centre in the south of the city close to Bochum Parkway, as well as Thorncliffe Health and Leisure Centre in High Green, with a third hub based at Wisewood Sports Centre on Laird Road in Sheffield, which is being funded by Clarion Futures (Clarion Housing Group’s Charitable Foundation).

The centres will be open from December until March giving locals the chance to benefit from the wealth of support that all three locations will be offering.

The news comes as Places Leisure joins forces with its parent company, Places for People, to extend its support to people across the country. Places for People have also opened Warm Hubs in Preston, West Bromwich and across the company’s three Brio Retirement Living developments in Aberdeen, London and the Cotswolds; Warm Hubs have been in operation at these communities since October.

The three centres in Sheffield offer an array of activities to local people which encourage healthy and active lifestyles from swimming, fitness classes, gym facilities and sporting opportunities to health suites to relax and unwind in.

The leisure centres are encouraging more local people to join those already enjoying the warm hubs and their benefits – from refreshments and friendly chats, through to energy support, help from local charities, advice on managing bills as well as access to community support to combat isolation.

Marcus Hulme, Director of Places Impact, Places for People added: “The cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on our customers and communities. The Warm Hub project in partnership with Places Leisure and Clarion is a great example of how organisations can combine resources to work together and offer practical support across Sheffield through these challenging times.”

The centres in Sheffield are well-used by the local community, and this collaborative initiative aims to encourage even more local people to venture inside to stay warm, meet new friends and get the support they need this winter.

Matt Parsonage, Head of Communities at Clarion Futures, shared: “Clarion Futures (Clarion Housing Group’s Charitable Foundation) are proud to be partnering with Places Leisure on the Warm Hub initiative. These are obviously very worrying times for our residents and communities in Sheffield, so it’s vital that where possible we come together and provide the services they most desperately need.”

Warm Hubs aim to support local people who may be at risk of fuel poverty or may be feeling lonely or isolated. A Warm Hub can be any community building and will provide a confidential, warm, and friendly environment for people to socialise over refreshments and take part in activities.

A representative from Sheffield City Council concluded: “Sheffield City Council is working with voluntary, faith and community organisations to help support people through the cost-of-living crisis and promoting the 88 Welcome Places that are open in Sheffield. The map showing where they are is at https://www.vas.org.uk/sheffield-living-crisis-map-of-support/.”

Places Leisure Warm Hub opening times and offerings may vary but all three centres in Sheffield offer a warm space, shower & toilet facilities, phone charging points, hot drinks and blankets. Additionally, Wisewood Sports Centre is able to provide hot meals to those who need them in partnership with the Riva Community Centre located next door from Monday - Friday. Whilst Graves Health and Sports Centre and Thorncliffe and Health and Leisure Centre offer hour long activity sessions twice a week. For more information and timings follow the link below

Find out more about our Warm Hubs