A LONG-established activity group, which provides a hot meal and social interaction for the elderly in Stocksfield, has become the county’s newest warm hub.

The flagship Community Action Northumberland (CAN) project aims to support vulnerable and fuel poor people living across rural Northumberland via a network of regular drop-in events.

And the Stocksfield Tuesday Club, which meets each week between 10am and 2pm at Stocksfield Community Centre, is the latest group to become a member.

Warm hubs are places within the local community where vulnerable people can be assured of a warm and friendly environment in which to enjoy a good value meal and the company of other people.

Run by volunteers, the club in Stocksfield has been running successfully for several years and also offers a hot meal delivery service in the local area.

Tackling fuel poverty is an issue on the national agenda, and chief executive of CAN Andy Dean acknowledged the vital role of the hubs within the communities they serve.

“We’ve taken what already exists in a lot of village halls all over the county, where there are really successful drop-ins, hot meals being put on for older people and an opportunity for people to socialise, and given a bit of structure to that.

“It’s made people who are already doing those sorts of activities more confident about what they’re doing and encouraged them to do more, and now other venues around the county are following suit.

“It’s amazing how enthusiastic the volunteers at the heart of this have been.”

The project is funded by Northern Gas Networks, which helped develop the concept from an idea put forward two years ago by CAN development officer Christine Nicholls.

The warm hubs take place across the county on a regular basis in community centres, village halls and churches.

Chairman of Stocksfield Community Association Norman Hooks said: “It’s a great way to boost what we’re already offering and hopefully it’ll help raise awareness of the Stocksfield Tuesday Club.

“It’s become an important service locally.”