Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) has distributed further financial support across the district to establish Warm Spaces in response to the rising cost of living.
The Bridge Church, St Ives, has been awarded £400 of Community Chest funding, while Godmanchester Baptist Church has been awarded £450. Sawtry Womens Institute, Huntingdon Methodist Church, and Yaxley Parish Council have each been awarded £500.
This Community Chest Grant funding will help the organisations to deliver Warm Spaces in their local community, making a positive difference to those living in the areas. Warm Spaces are welcoming environments where people of all ages can go to stay warm, take part in something fun whilst meeting new people in their community.
Church Pastor of The Bridge Church, St Ives, Andy Richards, said: "We are delighted to receive the £400 Community Chest Grant from HDC.
"We are pleased to be able to provide a warm place for anyone in the community to be able to attend, keep warm and hopefully make friends.
"Our Friday "Drop in" is open to anyone and we offer warm drinks, home baked cakes and board games all free of charge."
Parish Clerk of Yaxley Parish Council, Helen Taylor, said: "We have extended our Monday Morning Coffee Club to incorporate a warm space every Monday.
"The money from the District Council will be spent on buying various kitchen supplies so we can provide a warm light lunch.
"Last Monday we saw over 50 residents pop in and we served 45 baked potatoes! Those attending can't sing its praises enough saying that it has given them a warm friendly place where they can sit amongst friends and enjoy a chat and a bite to eat.
"None of this could have happened without our volunteers who have been the key in making this so successful."
Huntingdon Methodist Church Trustee, Robin Ward, said: "The HDC grant of £500 will help towards being able to deliver our Warm Space every Friday. Tesco has made a substantial donation of food and we are grateful for their support as well as donations from our own church members.
"This funding will ensure we can provide not only free hot and cold snacks for all attendees, but also a wide choice of table games, books, magazines, CDs and DVDs as well as free WiFi.
"We recognise that many people and families in our community have real concerns this winter, and our aim is to provide a warm, safe and welcoming space every Friday up until 5.30pm for everyone and everything we provide is free."
Lead Pastor of Godmanchester Baptist Church, Daniel Beckett, said: "The funding from HDC means we will be able to offer a warm space with a welcoming atmosphere each Thursday throughout the winter.
"We hope it will be a community space for people to meet others and enjoy time playing games, doing jigsaws and being with other people."
Executive Councillor for Community and Health, Cllr Ben Pitt, said: "It's fantastic to be able to support the set up of additional Warm Spaces across the district with further approved Community Chest Grant funding.
The list of available spaces for residents to attend is growing and it is wonderful to see the community coming together to support each other in this way."
Find out more information on the Warm Spaces in Huntingdonshire.
