With many struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, the RAF Association’s Crook & District Branch has opened its doors to offer the local community a warm welcome.
The branch, known as the Spitfire Club, based on North Terrace, is open every Tuesday from 9am-12pm, offering free tea, coffee and bacon and sausage sandwiches to anyone who needs a warm space and hot meal.
Alan Myers, Chair of the Crook & District Branch, said: “We know times are tough for many people, so we’re delighted to fire up our log burner and open our doors to offer this support, not just for our RAF community, but for the wider community too.
“We take the welfare of our members and wider community very seriously and recognise the importance that socialising can have in promoting better mental health and welfare.”
The initiative was made possible with grants from Durham County Council, under the Warm Spaces scheme, and County Durham-based housing association believe housing. In addition, the Co-op store in nearby Willington awarded a further grant to help the branch extend its Warm Spaces activities.
The Co-op at Willington has also donated near to end-of-shelf food to the branch, which guests are able to take home.
Michael Boucher, Co-op Operations Manager, said: “Co-op stores operate in the heart of communities, and work to make a difference locally. Our food redistribution programme not only helps to eliminate any food waste, but also makes a real difference. We are pleased that our funding has been able to help provide both a warm space and hot meals for the community, and play a part in supporting the work to bring communities together to keep warm in the coldest months of the year and, to increasing overall wellbeing locally.”
From left to right: Michael Boucher, Co-op Area Manager, Paul Abbott Welfare Officer at Crook & District and Shaun McGrath, Willington Shop Manager.
“We are extremely grateful to the Council and the Co-op for their ongoing support, which has allowed us to provide much-needed support to the people of Crook. It has been warmly received by our guests and has really helped ease the cost-of-living burden,” said Alan.
Cllr Alan Shield, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for equality and inclusion, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the RAF Association’s Crook & District Branch with grant funding for their Warm Space venue. It is so important that we all work together for the benefit of our residents and communities to continue assisting them through the current cost of living.
“It has been heart-warming to see so many community groups and organisations opening their doors to provide Warm Spaces across County Durham, with a total of 175 hubs being confirmed, plus this Crook & District Branch. Their efforts to support local residents are truly appreciated. We are pleased that the grant funding has helped this Warm Space initiative to welcome even more people through its doors and provide a safe, warm space, developing community cohesion and resilience during this challenging time.”
