In each issue of Spotlight, we present interesting lives from around the English-speaking world. This time, we talk to Phil Allen, who volunteerehrenamtlich tätig seinvolunteers at a “warm space”.
What is a “warm space”?
It’s a place where people can come to keep warm in the cold weather. It can be a church, a library, a community centre or a village hallGemeindezentrumvillage hall. Heating is expensive and “warm spaces” help everyone to stay warm.
Are they freekostenlosfree?
Yes. We have an “open door” policy – but we don’t leave the doors open because that lets the heat out!
What do people do there?
They work on laptops, charge sth.etw. aufladencharge their phones, read, chat. There’s a jigsawPuzzlejigsaw table, some board games and a “community library” – which is just a bookcase with some old books and magazines. We do a cheap lunch – like a bowl of soup or a jacket potatoOfenkartoffeljacket potato – and we do free hot drinks.
Why do you volunteer there?
I’m retired, but my wife works, so I started coming here from time to time because it was friendly and it was cheaper than heating the house all day just for me. Now, I volunteer as well.
Do you have a good tip for keeping warm?
Wear something on your feet. My wife walks around barefoot and then tells me she’s cold. It drives me drive sb. mad (UK)jmdn. wahnsinnig machenmad!
