How on earth can you escape the cold in London, let aside Scotland???

[Possiblynotever]

Just received the map of warm places for those who are struggling with the heating costs. There are four places north of the Thames in London and none in Westminster! What about the libraries? Churches? School halls? Sports centres? London is such a wealthy place it can afford to heat up any poor soul. There is still ice everywhere and people are freezing.
Looking at the map the rest of Great Britain it truly looks grim. But few places are as rich and so selfish as London! It's a scandal!

Yes, I think you can trust libraries, although places fill up quite quickly.
One lovely lady (who I think needs the warmth) offered to teach crochet to children, and the atmosphere is lovely as they prepare presents every day (some are just knotted balls!)

We have several locally including our Church lounge (seats about 20). Open 10am - 4pm every day - 6 days a week). Free tea, coffee and biscuits. Free WiFi, telly is on (albeit just Freeview). Sunday it’s open 12-4pm, with hot soup and rolls. It’s been busy.

Well clearly not this time.

Possibly it was only an ad for a specific initiative. Still, it is an initiative that clusters only in limited areas

I am sure it was!

Layers. We had no heating at work for 2 days (medical practice) so I had 5 layers on top and 3 on the bottom half. No such thing as bad weather, just wrong clothing

I think the OP was just making the point that it's so much colder in Scotland than London, not suggesting Scotland doesn't have warm spaces.

I've been using public spaces in London to stay warm for years, and many of them aren't on these 'warm bank' maps. I almost always take a home made sandwich out with me on days out (to save money/time), so I've got a mental list of places where it's OK to eat packed lunches, for days when a park bench is just too cold. When my DD used to have afternoon naps in her buggy, I used to find somewhere to sit for two hours (it wasn't worth travelling home as we'd have an afternoon activity for when she woke up). Museums are often the best places, most of them have free entry, toilets and a dedicated lunch room (sometimes I just go in for the lunch room and don't even look at the exhibits). Some galleries too (Tate Modern is good). Lots of children's centres in London boroughs as well, for those who just need to keep kids entertained for free. And some council leisure centres have a seated area with tables. Places like Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican are great too - anyone can sit there and hang out with no pressure to buy food, and lots of space for kids. Libraries are OK but you can't stay there too long as you need to eat at some point, and they mostly don't have an eating area. We're quite lucky in London as there are loads of libraries still open here.

I've looked at the warm bank maps for some inner London boroughs and it's a shame that a lot of these cultural venues aren't included. I don't know if the venues don't want to encourage people turning up just to be indoors with no interest in the arts but it's a shame because I only know of them from years of experience, so it's hard for people to know about them except through experience or word of mouth.

Fair enough. Where are you? I might need a warm space.

In my town of 25k there is a different church open every day Mon to Fri with 3 providing a full meal and the other two providing snacks. There is also a church run cafe that is exceptionally cheap and another regular cafe who offers free tea and coffee for two hours one day a week. That’s not including the churches that have very cheap coffee mornings. There is also the library and a community hub sort of place.

The area I live in is quite deprived overall

I'm sorry but what an absolute shambles in this day and age. Shame on you Tories! Warm spaces!? It's not just food banks, it's places to keep warm now too?

As a PP has said not all warm places are on that map.

I'm in a small market town in the NW of England and there are 11 within a 3 mile radius.

Yes, that's right

How have you “opened your home up” OP? Genuinely curious

I am hosting an elderly neighbour during the day.

Unsure why you are comparing Scotland - an entire country with 7 cities and numerous town - with London - a single city? Make it make sense.

For the record I live in Scotland and all council run buildings are offering free rent for any clubs which open their doors to everyone, all council buildings are operating as warm banks, and you can get a free meal, company and heat in various community centres. Also places like Asda offering £1 meals for kids, £1 for over 60s to get soup, a roll and unlimited hot drinks, etc.

Sitting in your home?

So your thread was pointing out that Scotland is colder than London?

Yes, sitting in my home. Watching telly and drinking tea while I work.

Hope you will never have a freezing cold old age.

So glad we have OP here, or none of us would have known.

I know, where would we be without the likes the OP?!

We might need to look at a map! Or watch the TV! Or have a basic understanding of global climate. Gosh, imagine.

Or…. Have been to Scotland and London and felt the difference!

Don’t be ridiculous, nobody has done that.

I think you are missing the point.

Sitting in a cold house day in and day out is miserable and bad for your physical and mental health. Giving someone a few hours of respite and maybe a hot drink and some soup makes a big difference.

I had pneumonia in December when the temps were down to -8 in Scotland and had to have my heating on pretty much 24/7 because my lungs physically hurt breathing cold air. I was lucky to be able to do that and worry about the bill later but someone on a pre payment meter wouldn't have that privilege.