WARM hubs in the Dursley area have been expanded to cope with increasing demand as winter hits.

The news comes as it was revealed that families in the area received the most food parcels (13 per cent) in the district in September - receiving 95 out of nearly 700  - according to Stroud District Food Bank. 

Food bank use in the Stroud district has risen by 90 per cent year-on-year for the same month, according to the latest figures.

Dedicated charity workers and volunteers set up a warm venue scheme across Cam and Dursley in September to help those struggling to pay heating bills. 

Those running the scheme have been surprised by how many people are using them.

Initially, one hub was started by GL11 but this has been expanded to eight.

Paul Rainger, who works with the GL11 community hub in Fairmead, Cam, said: "We are seeing rising demand in all of our services and a wider profile of people coming in seeking help than we expected.

“The demand this winter is only going to grow.

Gazette Series: Attendees at today's cost of living support day at the GL11 Community HubAttendees at today's cost of living support day at the GL11 Community Hub (Image: GL11 Community Hub)

Gazette Series: Hot meals at today's cost of living support day at the GL11 Community HubHot meals at today's cost of living support day at the GL11 Community Hub (Image: GL11 Community Hub)

“People are coping temporarily now but the further we get into the winter more and more people will need help. 

“Last week six new venues opened and this week two more venues are opening.

“It’s a snowball effect really, it’s getting busier and busier at sessions with numbers doubling at each session. 

“We haven’t thought far ahead but the venues will probably run until the cold weather changes around March but it depends on funding. 

“At the moment we’re currently looking for someone to step in to open up on Tuesdays."

One of the venues is the Chantry Centre in Dursley, which is now open every Thursday between 10am and 7pm. 

Trustee Sally Freshwater said they were ‘proud’ to be helping the community. 

She said: “The Chantry Centre is proud to be part of a network of venues offering a warm welcome to the community this winter.

“All are welcome, whether you want to just sit and relax with a cuppa and a book quietly on your own, make some new friends, join in activities, volunteer or to seek advice."

Gazette Series: The Chantry Centre is one of the nine venues as part of warm hub schemeThe Chantry Centre is one of the nine venues as part of warm hub scheme (Image: The Chantry Centre)

The nine venues are open every day apart from Tuesdays on a rota - the open times are as follows:

Monday

  • Kingshill House, 10am to 2pm 

Wednesday 

  • Dursley Tabernacle, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 7pm 
  • GL11 Warm Cafe, 10am to 7pm 

Thursday 

  • Chantry Centre, 10am to 7pm 
  • St George's Church, 10am to 12pm 

Friday 

  • Dursley Methodist Church, 10am to 4pm 

Saturday 

  • Dursley Community Centre, 10am to 4pm 

Sunday

  • 3C Community Church, 1pm to 4pm

For more information visit gl11.org.uk 

Anyone interested in supporting or volunteering can contact the hub via office@gl11.org.uk