Armley: Volunteers rally to create ‘warm space’ in freezing weather

By Andy Dalton

The recent cold weather snap, downfall of snow and plummeting temperatures have brought a response by an Armley based charity.

Volunteers at the Leeds City Mission Compassion Centre in Mistress Lane have created a haven for people to keep warm during the cold weather.

Many people on limited incomes are struggling with heating bills in winter months. The ‘Warm Space’ is a place to go to keep warm when temperatures plunge low.

Leeds City Mission in Mistress Lane, Armley. Photo: Andy Dalton

Every midweek day (except Wednesday) between 10.30am and 2.30pm visitors are welcome at the Warm Space facility at the City Mission.

Comfortable chairs, board games, jigsaws, free hot refreshments are available. There is also small reading room with an easy chair where anyone can read undisturbed at their leisure. Volunteers are on hand to chat. People are welcome to come and go as they please.

Warm Space is operating until the onset of Spring.

Manager Sinclair Martin said that this winter initiative is reaching out to people who struggle to pay their heating bills at this time of year by providing a place to keep warm and meet other people.

He added: “If anyone is short of warm clothing, such as a jumper or coat, then these can be provided for free from the centre’s clothing store to take away with them.”

They are also able to signpost visitors to other sources of help.

Michael Rybai makes use of the Warm Space facility at the City Mission. Currently out of work, he visits the City Mission premises and appreciates having somewhere to go where he receives a welcome, refreshments and can keep warm.

This initiative is just one of a number of Warm Spaces being run by voluntary and other organisations throughout the city during the cold winter months.

More details on 0113 345 3118. The City Mission Compassion Centre is located at the junction of Town Street and Mistress Lane (next door to Westerly Rise flats) in Armley. It is diagonally opposite Armley Library.

Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency which has worked with marginalised people since 1837 and seeks to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of Leeds residents.