AS we are in winter now, many people will be turning up the heating to cope with the cold weather.

However, many will be hesitant to do so because of the thought of the increased heating bills impacting on their finances.

Last year, a number of warm spaces opened up across Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot which allowed people of all ages to go out to a space where they could be warm, socialise and at some, even have a hot meal, allowing them to not worry about staying warm and heating their homes even if for just an hour or so.

With the cost-of-living crisis continuing, many of these warm spaces have opened their doors again for the current winter period.

Here are all the warm spaces in the Ammanford, Amman Valley, Towy Valley and Swansea Valley:

  • Ammanford Library (Wind Street, Ammanford, SA18 3DN): The library is open between 9am and 7pm Monday, and Thursday, and between 9am and 6pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 9am and 5pm on Saturday. There will be a warm welcome, with refreshments and access to TV, computers and newspapers. Staff will also be on hand to provide help and advice on cost-of-living.
  • Trallwm Area Community Hall (Amanwy, Llwynhendy, SA14 9AH): CWTSH coffee and Clecks coffee morning Tuesdays from 10am to midday. CWTSH sewing and crochet group Tuesday mornings from 10am to midday. CWTSH coffee and clecks coffee morning Fridays 10am to midday. CWTSH computer club Fridays 10am to midday. CWTSH art club Fridays 10am to midday.
  • Llandovery Youth and Community Centre (Gerwyn House, Market Square, Llandovery, SA20 0AB): Open Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm. Free refreshments and a warm, comfortable room to relax in.
  • Gateway Elim Church (Pantyffynnon Road, Ammanford, SA18 3HL): Open between 12pm and 2pm on the third Tuesday of the month for lunch club and warm hub. It is free and there will be soup or sandwiches and a good chat.
  • Canolfan Maerdy (New Road, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, SA18 1UP): Open Mondays from 2pm to 5pm. There will be activities, advice, device charging, free food and drink, free Wi-Fi, a pay it forward scheme, people to talk to and spaces to work.
  • Gwaun Cae Gurwen Community Managed Library (New Road Community Centre, New Road, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, SA18 1UN): There will be free food and drink and a chance to have a chat. Open between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Mondays, 10am to 12midday on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 10am to 4.30pm on Wednesdays.
  • Pontardawe Arts Centre (Herbert Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4ED): Open between 10am and 2pm Mondays and Tuesdays. There will be activities, advice, device charging, free WiFi, food and drink for sale and people to talk to.
  • Pontardawe Heritage Centre (Herbert Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4EB): Open between 10am and 1pm, Thursday to Saturday. There will be activities, advice, device charging, free food and drink, free Wi-Fi, food and drink for sale, pay it forward scheme, space to work and people to talk to.
  • Pontardawe Library (Holly Street, Pontardawe, SA8 4ET): There will be activities, advice, device charging, food and drink for sale, free Wi-Fi and people to chat to. It will be open between 9.30am and 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 9.30am and 5pm on Tuesdays and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.
  • Ystalyfera Development Trust (Commercial Street, Ystalyfera, SA9 2HR): Open Mondays to Thursdays between 9am and 12pm and 1pm and 5pm and Fridays between 9am and 12midday. There will be a space to work.
  • Ystalyfera Rugby Club (Ffordd Glandwr, Ystalyfera, SA9 3ER): Open weekdays, 5.30pm to 11pm and weekends from 12midday to late. There will be food and drink for sale.