Okehampton Library expands support for residents this winter thanks to funding boost

Okehampton Library has expanded its Warm Spaces campaign this winter, offering free hot drinks, Cup-a-Soups, biscuits and children’s snack packs to visitors in need thanks to funding from Okehampton Rotary Club.

The initiative aims to provide a warm, welcoming environment for anyone seeking comfort or company during the colder months.

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Kayleigh White, Customer Service Assistant at Okehampton Library, said:

“Okehampton Library participates in the Warm Spaces campaign and is proud to be a warm and welcoming space over the winter months. We decided to take this one step further this year, and thanks to funding from Okehampton Rotary Club, we can now provide Cup-a-Soups, biscuits and children's Snack Packs, as well as our usual free hot drinks offer. 

“These are available for anyone to access during library opening hours (children's Snack Packs are available Monday-Friday during school holidays). We also have a community puzzle anyone can contribute to, as well as other regular events and activities, and of course, lots of books for borrowing!”

The library introduced its children’s snack packs during the October half-term and said they have already proven popular.

“We launched our children's Snack Packs last week during October half-term, and already have given out quite a few, and we expect to give out even more over the Christmas holidays!” Kayleigh added. 

“We have also given out 16 hot drinks and soups in this time, and we hope that these numbers will continue to increase as the days get darker and colder. Our Warm Space is used by many visitors that come into our library every day, and we are dedicated to supporting our community no matter how they use the library.”

As part of the initiative, the library has created a dedicated Warm Space area, which visitors are encouraged to use during opening hours. 

Alongside free refreshments, the space includes a community jigsaw puzzle and comfortable seating for reading or conversation.

The scheme is made possible by the continued support of Okehampton Rotary Club, which has funded several community projects at the library in recent years.

ABOVE: A selection of available products to residents (Credit: Okehampton Library)

“Okehampton Library is incredibly grateful for all of the support that Okehampton Rotary Club have given us, particularly for our Warm Spaces campaign,” Kayleigh said. 

“They have funded various projects previously, and also awarded us a Certificate of Recognition in November 2024 for our ‘dedicated and inspirational support of the community’.”

The Warm Spaces campaign forms part of a national initiative encouraging public buildings, including libraries and community centres, to provide welcoming areas where residents can keep warm and connect with others during the winter months.

The Okehampton Library team hopes that the offer of free drinks, soups, and snack packs will help more people make use of the space as temperatures drop.

Residents can visit the library during normal opening hours to make use of the Warm Space or pick up a children’s snack pack during school holidays.