News
Manchester’s libraries are becoming ‘warm spaces’ with FREE hot drinks and Wi-Fi this winter
They're designed to "provide support to people who need it" over some of the most challenging months of the year.
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2023 
Manchester’s libraries are to become ‘warm spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need this winter.
After tens of thousands of local residents visited the “non-judgemental safe spaces” to escape and take refuge from the cold back in 2022, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme once again this winter.
22 libraries across Manchester are taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to “provide support to people who need it” over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Free hot drinks, Wi-Fi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.
All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them “for as long as you like”.
“Through our Warm Welcoming Spaces offer, we are extending a helping hand to people who may be struggling this winter,” explained Councillor Joanna Midgley, who is the Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council.
“In Manchester, no one should be cold this winter [so] through this scheme, we want to help tackle poverty and isolation, and show that help is always available to people who may be finding things difficult.
“I am proud that once again our communities are pulling together to support our vulnerable residents.”
Read more:
- Five ways you can help homeless people in Greater Manchester this winter
- New survey reveals almost half of all British households were ‘too scared to put the heating on’ last winter
- Manchester City Council invests £50m in ‘transformational upgrades’ to social housing
Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.
Featured Image – RawPixel
