CCVS Communications Officer, Lorna Gough 21.11.23 – updated 08.01.24
CCVS are sharing details of local winter campaigns and appeals, as well as offers of services and events which are brought to our attention.
Our aim is to spread the word and extend the reach on behalf of organisations, for an even bigger benefit to the community.
Share these details with your networks to reach even more people.
1. Cambridge Sustainable Food is raising funds to make sure that no-one in our city goes hungry this winter. With so many people struggling to make ends meet the food they supply to community food hubs around the city makes a real difference.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-cambridge-families-with-vegetables
2. North Cambridge Soup Kitchen
The Karim Foundation, supported by Al-Amin Stores, are running a soup kitchen, open to all, on the 3rd Sunday of every month at The Meadows Community Centre, 299 Arbury Road, Cambridge, CB4 2JL from 11.30am – 1.30pm.
They will be serving free hot soup with bread, providing a safe and friendly space for anyone in need of a meal, friendly company, reassurance and support.
3. Wintercomfort for the Homeless
Over the past 12 months, Wintercomfort for the Homeless has provided life-changing services for more than 680 people experiencing or at risk of #homelessness in Cambridge.
They need to raise funds to ensure that they can meet the growing demand. Please donate to support their work https://wintercomfort.org.uk/make-a-donation/
As we prepare for the cold days ahead, Wintercomfort would like to offer people a warm drink or soup to take with them when they leave their day service. If you are able to purchase a reusable flask, please visit their Wishlist: https://amzn.to/47kZN0M
4. Cambridge City Council Warm and Welcoming Spaces
Cambridge City Council open their community centres as warm and welcoming spaces every winter. You can use the centres’ communal spaces to work, enjoy time with friends, or stay warm. Details: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/warm-and-welcoming-spaces
5. Wisbech Rotary Club Silver Monday events
Every month Wisbech Rotary Club run a Silver Monday event at the Luxe Cinema on Alexandra Road, Wisbech, PE13 1HQ From 9.30 – 12.30. Mature guests can come and watch a film, have tea and coffee all for £3, to tackle social isolation and loneliness. Entry is by ticket – advance booking essential by calling Val on 01945 860596
Winter dates as follows:
Mon 15 Jan 2024
Mon 19 Feb 2024
6. Cambridge Central Library – warm hub offer
Cambridge Central Library has an active warm hub offer. They will provide hot drinks and biscuits twice a day (10am-12noon and 3-5pm Mon-Sat, and 3-4pm on Sundays) on the third floor of Central Library in Lion Yard.
This has the joint purposes of helping people tackle the living cost crisis as well as loneliness. Hence, they want to welcome trusted partners who want to engage with people or offer a beneficial service to them in those hours.
If your organisation is interested in joining them, please book the time slots in the Doodle poll and wait for the library team to confirm your booking: https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/e922oD3a
For more information, please email: citylibrarieswarmhub@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
7. Cambridgeshire Community Foundation – surviving winter appeal
As the cost-of-living crisis continues and many energy support schemes offered last winter will no longer be offered this year, prices will be equally, if not more, challenging than last year.
Support is needed more than ever, with those who had previously been ‘just about managing’ now being pushed to the brink. Cambridge Aid is currently helping 25% more people this year, compared to 2022, and Cambridge City Foodbank is experiencing a 40% increase in need for fuel vouchers compared to the same period last year.
How does the Surviving Winter Appeal help?
The funds raised by the Surviving Winter Appeal are being distributed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation’s nominated charitable partner organisations.
Households who need help to stay warm and have access to energy throughout the winter can apply to these partner organisations, which use the funds raised to make payments or purchases relating to energy and heating, such as topping up pre-payment meters. Without the support, some people face no warmth in their radiators to keep the house warm and no heat on the hob to cook a meal.
How you can help
If you are in a position to help, please donate to the Surviving Winter Appeal to help local families and individuals facing a winter in fuel poverty. If you are receiving support that you do not need, such as a Winter Fuel Payment which is non-means-tested, we encourage you to please donate the equivalent or part equivalent to help those who will struggle to afford a warm home. Full details and how to donate: https://www.cambscf.org.uk/survivingwinter
ccvsblog 