A LOCAL cafe is opening its doors to hold events as a “warm space” to aid in the cost of living and energy crisis.

Cafe Avodah in Launceston will be hosting “warm space” events. These events have been cropping up across the country, the aim being to offer those in need an opportunity to come and spend time somewhere warm without the need to worry about one’s own heating bills.

Teresa Pickup, manager of Cafe Avodah, hopes these events will not only aid those who are struggling but also create an opportunity to make friends.

Speaking to the Post, she said: “We have been trying to think of a way that we could help the community since we are a non-profit community hub and we thought this would benefit those in need. The cafe is far bigger than most in town which meant that we have space for people to come and mingle, all day if they want to.

“We welcome people from all walks of life, be it the elderly, the sofa surfers or anyone who wants to come along,” she explained. “It’s horrific, how are the elderly meant to stay warm this winter with costs as they are?”

Teresa hopes that opening the cafe will not only help out those in need but also, through some of their events, allow people to make friends, adding: “We plan to start a board game club where people can come along, pick a game off the shelf and make friends in a safe environment.”

As well as hosting warm space events, they also run a soup hub in which people can come in and pay what they can for their soup.

Teresa said: “If that means people can’t afford anything, then its free of charge, no judgements, no questions asked.”