Dereham draws up list of warm places for winter 

As rising energy prices make it harder to heat homes, churches in Dereham are leading the way in creating warm spaces where people can go.

The social action group Love Dereham has collated a list to let concerned residents know that support is available. 

It comes as 'warm banks' - aimed at those who cannot afford to heat their homes - begin opening across the country.

On October 1, a rise in the energy price cap meant the average UK household saw their energy bill rise to £2,500.
Love Dereham's initiative, 'A Warm Place', brings together organisations including Dereham Baptist Church, Meeting Point and Dereham Cancer Care. 

Keith Mersh, chairman of the group, said: "This is something happening under various names throughout the country. It seemed only right that we offered ourselves as being the people to collate the information for Dereham. 

"We are using the term 'Warm Place' because it has connotations both in terms of temperature and being welcoming for the community. A lot of the venues involved already exist and are offering their services, but it can help sometimes to assemble information like this in one, accessible place."

He added: "We see A Warm Place as another aspect of what we are seeking to do, which is to make life better for our community."

Dereham venues involved in A Warm Place are as follows:

Meeting Point, St Withburga Lane: 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (except 3pm closure on Thursday)
Dereham Cancer Care, Georges Road: 10am to 2pm, Monday and Tuesday; 10am to midday, Thursday 
Green Pastures, Norwich Street: Let's Chat, 11am to midday, Monday to Thursday
Salvation Army, St Nicholas Street: 10am to 3pm, Tuesday
Toftwood Methodist, Chapel Lane: 10.30-11.30am, third Thursday of each month
Dereham Baptist Church, High Street: 1-3pm Thursday; 10am to 1pm Friday 
Cowper Memorial Congregational Church, Market Place: Coffee morning, 10am to midday, every Friday 
Dereham Library, High Street: 9.30am to 7pm, Monday to Friday; 9.30am to 4pm Saturday

Pictured above is Green Pastures Community Hub, one of Dereham’s warm places. Article quotations from EDP.