Leek Radio's 'Warm Hub' based in Leek town centre has received a cash boost after being awarded £10,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

Leek Radio will be using the funding to assist them in their efforts to help their community through the cost of living crisis via their 'Leek Warm Hub' project, impacting the lives of many local people in need this winter and beyond.

This new National Lottery funding will give Leek Radio the ability to provide a "fully loaded" service on top of what they currently offer to many local residents and they can support around 50 people at any one time and more when The hub opens for longer hours and more days in the new year.

The Warm Hub officially opened its doors on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 in an initial basic capacity, offering a warm space for visitors to enjoy a hot beverage and a chat with one of our volunteers. The New Year will bring about a whole host of changes and improvements including but not limited to:

The Lounge - a space with sofas and some of the usual entertainment you find at home, so you can keep warm and still have some creature comforts.

Kids Corner - with play equipment, colouring books, and other toys to keep them occupied while parents and carers can have five minutes to relax with a hot drink or have a chat with the hub volunteers

Duel Purpose Dining Area - a small 16 to 18 seat shared dining area for when we start offering a hot meal (TBA) and we will be purchasing a commercial Bain-Marie to keep food nice and hot for the serving period. There is plenty of space for families or individuals to sit or just use the area to set up laptops and do some work, or chat to friends online.

Free Wi-Fi access.

Hot drinks, biscuits, toast and cup soups will always be available. The Leek Radio team has also set aside some funds to create an emergency fund to help some of the most vulnerable members of the community (subject to meeting certain criteria).

These could be families who have gas prepayment meters; families which live with elderly relatives who can't physically get to the warm hub; some families with very young children and wheelchair users who physically can not get into our building.

Leek Radio will publish information on their Facebook page about how people can apply to the fund, in the new year.

If people would like to get involved with the project as a volunteer you can contact the station via their email address: [email protected].

The 'Warm Hub' is open to all members of the community and does not require any means testing, simply just turn up and make yourself at home. Leek Radio is located above the Co-operative Bank on Derby Street in Leek, and our entrance is accessible at the side of the building on Bath Street (opposite Cafe No.5)

National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.

Leek Radio's managing director and Leek Warm Hub project lead, Alex Beverley, said: "Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can go the extra mile, supporting our local community further. We are here for everyone.

"Leek Radio is a community focused organisation just trying to make a difference.

"We have been providing "a friend in your ear" through our radio broadcasting since April 2020, just after the start of the pandemic lockdowns and through the Warm Hub Project we have been able to provide a safe warm space since November 2 to local residents who are having to choose between heating or eating. Soon we will be able to help with both.

"Currently we are open between 5pm and 10pm on Wednesdays and everyone is welcome.

"Think of us as your local community cafe and meeting place, but the beverages are free of charge."

Alex added: "This National Lottery funding means the world to us because we can now make things happen that will benefit all those who need it, easing the cost of living burden and making a big difference to local people's lives.

"We would also like to thank our landlords The Cooperative Bank and Leek Food Bank for their ongoing support of our CIC.

"For more information people can visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/yourleekradio or Leek Warm Hub Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/leekwarmhub."

During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK. To find out more visit www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk