Our Winter Support Plan
With the arrival of cold weather and concerns about the cost of living, the Town Council is working in partnership, under the Harpenden Cares umbrella, to support residents in a number of ways.
The Harpenden Cares partners offer considerable help in our community and collectively work towards a rounded, coordinated approach to local issues. From distribution of funds, to managing a hub of information, and more besides, the partnership works together so ensure those in need are supported and have access to essential services.
Helping you keep warm this winter – warm hubs
Click here to view a list of venues in Harpenden offering a warm, welcoming space.
“Warm Spaces” opened in Harpenden in response to the rising cost of living; a small way of helping when we’re all feeling the pinch. However, following their success and popularity over the cold weather period, many venues have decided to continue offering a welcome space for refreshments, company in a comfortable environment. Look out for the Warm Space sign around Harpenden!
This information is being updated every week, if you organise or know about a warm space open to the public on a regular basis that isn't listed please let us know.
Please contact the venues directly to enquire about Bank Holiday opening times.
Food Banks
Click here to find up to date information about local food banks.
To view opening times over the Christmas period, you can view the St Albans and District Food Bank notice here.
Harpenden’s Street Coordinators
One Harpenden Cares initiative, which began during the pandemic, is our network of Street Coordinators. Street Coordinators are volunteers who take on the responsibility of liaising with the Town Council and their neighbours: communicating important messages and assisting in looking out for vulnerable people. We’re pleased to report that we have a large number of volunteers across Harpenden who continue to help and we’re actively recruiting new people every week. This is an invaluable scheme as Street Coordinators are often the first point of contact in identifying where assistance is needed.
Our recent recruitment campaign has been successful and we now have Street Coordinators across Harpenden, however we would love to hear from you if your street doesn’t have a Coordinator and you are able to help. Get in touch if you can help!
Responding to winter weather
On a practical level, our Town Rangers work tirelessly over the winter period responding to the challenges that cold weather presents, from clearing public footpaths to dealing with emergency repairs. In addition, we are thankful for our army of ‘Snow Angel’ volunteers whose main responsibility of clearing snow and ice from the pavements allows more vulnerable residents to get out and about more safely.
You can read about our Snow Angels scheme on our Volunteering page. If you’re able to assist us in clearing snow in your local area please contact us, this is a scheme that really makes a difference, particularly to more vulnerable members of our community.
Support is available for people living with Dementia
Click here to read the Alzheimer's Society article if you are worried about how rising living costs will impact your finances if you live with dementia, or care for someone with the condition. Harpenden Town Council has committed to making Harpenden a Dementia Friendly Town, read about what this means on our Dementia Friendly page.
Citizens Advice
Advice is available over the phone on 01727 811 118 or 0800 144 8848 on Mondays to Thursdays, 10am-4pm and on Friday 10am-1pm, and also online: www.citizensadvice.org.uk If you can't call or visit their website, you can also visit in person on Mondays 10am-1pm at The Salvation Army, Leyton Green.
Keep in touch
We are regularly updating our website with information and posting bulletins on our social media channels but if you know someone who is not online and they wish to get in touch you can find our contact details here.
