COMMUNITY group, Otley 2030 has secured match-funding from the Co-op for Otley’s Warm Spaces project - meaning all donations made to their new fundraising appeal will be doubled.

The group hopes to fundraise enough money to support all the local Warm Spaces venues in continuing to open until the end of the winter.

The Otley Warm Spaces project started back in November, offering free, warm and welcoming spaces around the town. The project involves a collaboration of different Otley community groups and includes Otley Town Council, Churches Together, Otley Action for Older People, Otley Labour Party, Otley Space, and Otley 2030.

Participating venues can currently be found at: Otley library, the Chippendale Centre (run by Otley Action for Older People), Otley Labour Rooms, Otley Parish Church, Beech Hill Church, The Core (Otley Town Council, run by Otley Catholic Church members), Otley Methodist Church, The Bridge Church (URC) and Otley Social Club.

Otley 2030 says that as the cost-of-living crisis bites and energy prices increase, many local people will be choosing to eat or heat. Each Warm Space venue offers members of the community free hot drinks as well as snacks, and some will provide Wi-Fi and toys, so that people can work from there or bring their children.

“We are raising money to help the venues pay their increased heating bills, to provide food and drinks in the warm spaces, and also to offer more activities,” says Community Development Lead, Andrew Howarth. “We're also creating energy saving advice resources for our local residents.”

“This is a brilliant opportunity for us to raise significant funds for the Warm Spaces project through the Co-op Warm Spaces Funding Boost. Things are still tough and we’ve got months of cold weather still to come, so any support we receive will be so useful. The crowd funder runs until 2nd February 2023 and during this time all donations made will be doubled (match funded) by the Co-op!”

Warm Spaces are available across the town, and a new space opened in December at Otley Social Club (just off Weston Lane) on Tuesdays from 12.30pm-3.30pm. Another addition for 2023 is a new collaboration at Beech Hill Church on Westgate. They are working with Otley Sewing Collective to offer Draught Busters sessions on alternate Wednesdays from 10am-1pm, starting on January 25. People are invited to come to the church’s Warm Space and make their own draught excluder - completely free of charge.

For more information on where and when all Otley’s Warm Spaces are available, go to https://www.otleytowncouncil.gov.uk/otley-warm-spaces/ or drop into The Core. You can also email the council on admin@otleytowncouncil.gov.uk, or telephone on 01943 466335 between 10am and 3pm Tuesday to Friday.

To donate to the Warm Spaces fundraiser and make your money go twice as far, go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/otley-warm-spaces