Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has been named as the top council district for family-friendly free warm spaces.
Charities and communities across the UK started the Warm Welcome Spaces initiative to help people struggling to afford their heating bills.
Libraries, churches, cafes, and community centres offers free warm places for those who need it.
Many locations also provide free food, wifi and socialising activities.
It’s thought that half a million people visited Warm Spaces during the winter of 2023 when fuel prices were at an all-time high.
Of the 2,500 UK locations analysed, experts at The Underfloor Heating Store found that BCP is the top council district in the UK when it comes to free family-friendly warm spaces.
They assessed factors such as whether there are toilets, hot drinks, accessibility and food.
Nine Warm Welcome locations were named in the BCP area as the best for families including:
1. Becky’s Community Café at St Joseph’s Church in Christchurch.
3. Community Living Room at Parkstone Church.
5. The Hope Hub in Winton (pictured).
6. St Paul’s Cafe in St Paul’s Church, Throop.
7. Community Meal at The Runway, Christchurch’s God First Church.
Picture: Jon Beale.