Council chiefs have identified 23 venues across the borough that will offer 'warm spaces' to help residents survive the winter.

As many people across the country, including Richmond, struggle to pay energy bills that are double the level of last year, local authorities are trying to offer some respite.

Most of the locations that will offer somewhere for residents to spend a few hours in the warm are libraries, however a number of youth centres are also stepping up.

The Council said: "Warm spaces are intended to provide residents with accessible places to go to keep warm, whilst also offering a range of additional facilities or activities, such as toilets, refreshments, free Wi-Fi and charging points."

It is offering grants to local organisations to set up their own warm spaces for people to come together.

The Council said: "Successful grant applicants will be required to sign up to the Council's Warm Spaces Charter and will have their warm space listed on the Council's planned warm space directory."

Richmond Council is encouraging local voluntary sector groups to apply to the Cost of Living Fund, which provides grants to organisations delivering services to help residents keep warm and fed this winter.

Through the Cost of Living Fund, Richmond Council is providing £150K of grants to voluntary sector organisations working to meet the immediate needs of those struggling most during the crisis.

Council Leader, Cllr Gareth Roberts, said: "The reality of the cost of living crisis is here, and we are committed to ensuring people are able to eat well and stay warm this winter.

"I strongly encourage any voluntary sector group who is looking to assist residents to apply to the Cost of Living Fund.

"By working with our partners, the Council has already offered a huge amount of support to residents but more needs to be done.

"There are many organisations across our borough who already work hard to support their communities. It is therefore a priority for the Council to offer them the support they need to develop plans that will help our residents and businesses weather the storm."

The Fund is part of Richmond Council's £3 million allocation to finance urgent support packages which will help residents struggling as a result of the cost of living crisis, and part of its work with the voluntary sector to provide support where it is needed most.

Organisations will be able to apply for grants between £5k - £10k to support with items that are linked to the grant priorities. The deadline for applications is midnight on November 21.

Details on how to apply for funding as well as the application form can be found at www.richmond.gov.uk/cost_of_living_grant_fund

For organisations requesting less than £5,000 the Civic Pride Fund is open for applications on a rolling basis at this link https://www.richmond.gov.uk/civic_pride_fund

If you are an individual in need of support, or to learn more about how the Council is supporting residents, visit the Cost of Living Hub or sign up to the cost of living e-newsletter – https://richmond.gov.uk/services/cost_of_living_hub

Warm spaces directory

(https://www.richmond.gov.uk/warm_spaces_directory)

Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen

* Barnes Children's Centre - For under 5s and their extended families only.

67b Lower Richmond Road, Mortlake, SW14 7HJ

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

* Castelnau Library - Open to all.

75 Castelnau, London, SW13 9RT

* East Sheen Library - Open to all.

Sheen Lane, London, SW14 8LP

* Powerstation Youth Centre - For 11 to 19 year olds, or up to 25 if disabled.

121a Mortlake High Street, Mortlake, SW14 8SN

Opening hours:Wednesday: 5.30pm-7.30pm

Thursday: 4pm-6.30pm

Friday: 4pm-7.30pm

Saturday: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Ham

* Ham Children's Centre - Under 5s and their extended families only.

Ashburnham Road, Ham, TW10 7BG

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

* Ham Library – Open to all

Ham Street, Ham, TW10 7HR

* Ham Youth Centre - 11 to 19 year olds, or up to 25 if disabled.

Ham Close, off Ashburnham road, Ham, TW10 7PL

Opening hours: Monday: 3pm-7.15pm

Tuesday: 3pm-8pm

Wednesday: 3.30pm-8pm

Thursday: 3.30pm-6pm

Friday: 3pm-5.30pm

Hampton and Hampton Hill

* Hampton Library - Open to all.

Rosehill, Hampton, TW12 2AB

* Hampton Hill Library - Open to all.

68 High Street, Hampton Hill, TW12 1NY

* Hampton Youth Centre – 11-19 year olds, or up to 25 if disabled.

32 Tangley Park Road, Hampton, TW12 3YH

Opening hours:

Monday: 3.15pm-5.45pm then 6.45pm-8.50pm

Tuesday: 3.15pm-5.45pm

Wednesday: 3.15pm-5.45pm

Thursday: 3.30pm-6pm

Friday: 3.15pm-5.45pm

* Norman Jackson Children's Centre - Under 5s and their extended families only.

50 Windmill Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1QU

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

* St James's Church - Open to all.

St James's Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1DQ

Opening hours: Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays 12.30pm-3.30pm

Only available until Monday 9 January 2023.

* Tangley Park Children's Centre - Under 5s and their extended families only.

1 Bramble Lane, Hampton, TW12 3XB

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Hampton Wick

* Hampton Wick Library -Open to all.

Bennet Close, Hampton Wick, KT1 4AT

Kew

* Kew Library - Open to all.

106 North Road, Kew, TW9 4HJ

Richmond

* Richmond Information and Reference Library - Open to all.

Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP

* Richmond Lending Library - Open to all.

Little Green, Richmond, TW9 1QL

Teddington

* Teddington Library - Open to all.

Waldegrave Road, Teddington, TW11 8NY

Twickenham

* Heatham House - 11 to 19 year olds, or up to 25 if disabled.

Whitton Road, Twickenham, TW1 1BH

Opening hours:

Monday: 3.30 to 7.30pm

Tuesday: 3.30 to 6pm

Wednesday: 3.30 to 7.30pm

Thursday: 3.30 to 8.30pm

Friday: 3.30 to 6pm

* Twickenham Library - Open to all.

Garfield Road, Twickenham, TW1 3JT

Whitton

* Heathfield Children's Centre - Under 5s and their extended families only.

1 Powder Mill Lane, Whitton, TW2 6EX

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

* Whitton Library - Open to all.

Address: 141 Nelson Road, Whitton, TW2 7BB

* Whitton Youth Zone - 11 to 19 year olds, or up to 25 if disabled.

1 Britannia Lane, Whitton, TW2 7JX

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 4 to 6.30pm