Vale of Glamorgan Council's Warm Welcome programme has awarded nearly £30,000 to community projects and seen more than 3,500 people use their facilities this winter.

As part of the Council's work to support citizens during the cost-of-living crisis, this initiative launched in September.

It offers a warm and inviting place for people to come together at no cost to enjoy a range of activities, should they wish, and access cost-of-living support. 

Nearly 40 locations across the Vale have taken part in the scheme, creating a network of community spaces.

All of them of them were free to access and activities spread across seven days of the week.

Only around 10 are expected to stop the provision, meaning it will continue at the vast majority into the spring.

Each location offers a different opportunity to enjoy some company, get involved in an activity, and take advantage of the facilities available. 

 Details on what is on offer at each location can be found as part of the Cost of Living Support Hub on the Vale of Glamorgan Council's website.

 The Hub also provides information on accessing cost-of-living support grants and details of support available from the Council and a range of partners.

Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "The cost-of-living crisis continues to have a detrimental impact on so many people within our communities.

"Having to choose between paying energy bills or buying food is not an acceptable situation for anyone, but sadly that is exactly the position a growing number find themselves in.

"The Council has been working hard since the summer to provide advice and support to those that need it, as well as administering hundreds of thousands of pounds of support grants.

"As the weather got colder, we wanted to not only increase the support on offer, but also find a way to bring our communities together.

"The stats suggest our Warm Welcome centres have been able to do that and I hope they provided some small comfort to those struggling with financial pressure and isolation."