Warm Spaces Initiative, a Lifeline for Aberdeen’s Communities
As winter sets in, many of Aberdeen’s most vulnerable residents are finding relief from the cold thanks to the city’s Warm Spaces initiative. What began in November 2022 as a response to the soaring cost of living and rising energy bills has now grown into a network of over 30 heated community spaces across the city. From libraries and sports halls to cultural landmarks like Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Music Hall, and His Majesty’s Theatre, these venues are offering people a vital place to stay warm, socialise, and access essential services.
While the initiative has been widely praised for its compassion and ingenuity, it raises uncomfortable questions about the state of poverty and inequality in a country as wealthy as the UK. Should families in one of the world’s richest economies really be relying on local council initiatives to stay warm?
The concept behind Warm Spaces is simple but powerful: use public buildings that are already being heated and open them up for wider community use. This approach allows Aberdeen City Council to provide vital support for those struggling to pay energy bills, without the cost of heating additional buildings.
Warm Spaces offer much more than heat. Visitors can access:
Free Wi-Fi
Showers and baby-changing areas
Quiet study spaces for students and learners
Period products
Children's play areas
Print and digital resources
These spaces also host community events and activities, bringing people together and reducing isolation during the dark winter months. Free toothbrushes and toothpaste for children under five are offered in partnership with Childsmile, promoting good oral health in young children.
The initiative has been widely praised by city councillors. Councillor Christian Allard, Co-leader of Aberdeen City Council and Anti-Poverty and Inequality Convener, framed the initiative as a necessary response to growing inequality:
“The winter and Festive periods can be challenging times for many individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. That’s why it is important that we put our and our partners’ buildings, which are already heated, at their disposal and so help those worse affected by the impacts of energy costs.”
The idea is not just about warmth, according to Councillor Desmond Bouse, Vice-Convener for Anti-Poverty and Inequality. He emphasised that Warm Spaces create community hubs where people can play, socialise, and study together:
“As well as offsetting heating costs, they also act as places where individuals and families can come together in a safe environment to play, socialise and study.”
For many, these spaces offer a rare chance for human connection at a time when isolation and loneliness are major social challenges.
While the work of Aberdeen City Council is commendable, there is a growing sense that initiatives like this shouldn't be necessary in the first place. The fact that families must rely on public spaces to stay warm highlights a much larger issue, energy poverty and cost of living pressures that have gripped the UK in recent years.
The UK is one of the world's wealthiest nations, and yet the need for Warm Spaces has become a stark reminder of how inequality has deepened. Rising energy prices, stagnant wages, and cuts to social welfare have left thousands of people unable to afford basic necessities like heating. The question many are now asking is: Why are families in a rich country being forced into public buildings to stay warm?
Energy poverty isn't a new problem, but it has been exacerbated by the energy crisis that followed the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Wholesale gas prices surged, and while the UK Government introduced a £400 Energy Support Scheme for households, it has proven to be a short-term solution. Many argue that Warm Spaces are a symptom of a deeper crisis that requires systemic change, such as:
Better regulation of energy prices to prevent excessive hikes.
Increased support for vulnerable households through higher benefits or energy bill discounts.
Greater investment in home insulation and energy efficiency, which would reduce overall energy consumption and lower bills in the long term.
Without addressing these underlying issues, initiatives like Warm Spaces may become a permanent feature of the social support system, a concerning prospect for a country that prides itself on its economic strength.
Behind every Warm Space are real stories of people grappling with the rising cost of living. For some parents, these spaces have become essential to keeping their children warm during the day while managing energy use at home. Students benefit from having quiet, heated spaces to study in, especially when home environments may not be suitable. Older residents often find comfort and companionship, reducing social isolation while also staying warm.
These personal stories highlight the human impact of poverty and inequality, turning an abstract issue into a lived reality for thousands of people. It also underscores the role of local government and community support in addressing gaps left by central government policies.
While the compassionate response from Aberdeen City Council is worthy of praise, it is clear that initiatives like Warm Spaces must remain a temporary solution rather than a permanent fixture. In a fair society, citizens should not have to seek refuge in libraries or community halls to stay warm.
The broader issue lies with national policy, not local councils. The UK Government must address the structural causes of poverty, which include stagnant wages, rising costs, and inadequate social support. While Warm Spaces show the power of local action, long-term change requires national intervention.
It's worth noting that local councils themselves are facing significant budget pressures. Programmes like Warm Spaces are not free, and while Aberdeen City Council is using existing heated buildings to keep costs down, the reality is that many councils are struggling to maintain public services due to ongoing austerity measures. Without central government support, initiatives like this may struggle to survive.
Warm Spaces are a vital response to a crisis, and Aberdeen City Council deserves credit for the compassion and creativity it has shown. By using existing public buildings and providing essential services like Wi-Fi, play areas, and showers, the council is addressing both practical needs and emotional well-being.
However, Warm Spaces should not be seen as a long-term solution. The fact that they are necessary at all reflects the depth of inequality and energy poverty in the UK. In a country with vast wealth and resources, it should not be the responsibility of local councils to ensure citizens are warm. Instead, it should be the role of national government to tackle the root causes of poverty and energy inequality.
Without systemic change, Warm Spaces risk becoming a permanent fixture in the UK’s approach to poverty. While it’s heartening to see communities come together, it’s disheartening that they have to. As the winter of 2024 approaches, the hope is that these spaces will be seen for what they are: a necessary stopgap, not a solution.
For information on Warm Spaces locations, opening hours, and available facilities, visit Aberdeen City Council’s interactive webpage:
