Shipley Christians Together (SCT), a grouping of churches of several denominations in Shipley, Saltaire and Windhill, have launched a joint programme of offering Warm spaces through the winter until Easter in churches across the district. The full scheme will operate from 01 November and includes a range of daytime meeting points with warm space, hot drinks, lunchtime snacks, games, newspapers, mobile recharging services and people to socialise with.
The church leaders in the area decided to co-operate together and to work with Shipley Town Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council to offer safe, secure and positive environments for those struggling with heating their own homes.
The Warm Spaces initiative of SCT comes into place alongside the provision of food through the Bradford North Foodbank, who have distribution points at Christchurch, Windhill and Shipley Baptist Church. SCT also operates a Christians Against poverty Debt Advice Centre at Northcliffe Local Ecumenical Partnership.
The Revd Dr Keith Jones, one the leadership team at Shipley Baptist Church and party of the SCT leadership group says “we are very concerned that people in the Shipley area should be supported with warm spaces, accessible cheap and free food and debt support during this difficult winter. Whilst churches are at the forefront of offering these services with love and compassion, we are not restricting the offers in any way. We remain anxious to respond to community need”.
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WARM SPACES IN SHIPLEY CHURCHES
TUESDAY
· Shipley Baptist Church
– 10.00am – 4.00pm
– Winter Warmer in the lower hall
– A warm space with tea, coffee, soft drinks, table games, newspapers, table for craft work, knit and natter etc
· Saltaire Methodist Church
– 12 noon – 4.00pm
· Christian Life Church
– 1:30pm – 3:30pm
– Entry will be free with free tea, coffee and juice
– The playframe and toys in our downstairs hall will all be available
– A very under 5 friendly environment
– May not be suitable for those without children as it can get noisy in there!
WEDNESDAY
· St Paul’s Church
– 10am to 12 noon (except 28th December)
· Northcliffe Church
– 12.30 -2.30pm
– Serving soup, tea, coffee etc
FRIDAY
· St Peter’s Church
– 10.30am to 2.30 pm
– A place just to be
– Hot drinks, cake, soup, bread, a warm welcome and chat available
· Shipley Baptist Church
– 10.00am -1.00pm
– “Cuppacare” low cost café in lower hall
– Come and talk with us, have hot food, a chance to relax
SATURDAY
· St Paul’s Church
– 10am to 12 noon
– Saturday Café (1st & 3rd Saturdays in month)
costoflivingbradford.co.uk/warm-spaces you will be able to see a directory of all the Warm Spaces across the district