A network covering every part of the area has been established, providing venues that will be warm and where a range of supports and activities can be accessed in the coming Winter months.

The move is just the latest in a huge programme from South Lanarkshire Council to help local residents cope with rising costs, especially from energy bills.

Warm Welcome locations include libraries, leisure facilities and other community venues run by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC), which has been funded by the council to provide free lets to organisations that open their doors to members of the public.

A number of volunteer and community groups have also come forward to join the scheme, many of which will be assisted by a share of £40,000 the council has made available in grants to help participating organisations meet additional costs.

Anyone who is looking for a Warm Welcome can find local venues by using a new interactive map and postcode checker.

As well as showing where a Warm Welcome is being offered, the website will show who is running the venue or event, what the opening hours are, whether or not booking is required, and information on what activities and facilities are available.

Council Leader Joe Fagan said: “It is clear that this Winter is going to be very tough for very large numbers of people, with huge increases in fuel and food bills. The council, with our partners at SLLC, is committed to doing everything we possibly can to help.

“Just having somewhere to go, where not just the temperature but the whole welcome will be warm, will make a real difference to so many people in the difficult weeks ahead. A cup of tea, or a bowl of soup, some financial advice to those who need it – all of this will help our most vulnerable residents.

“We are launching the Warm Welcome initiative with more than 50 venues already in place, but we expect that number to grow markedly as we welcome community partners to the scheme. We are working particularly hard to make sure there are no ‘cold spots’ and every part of our area has a range of warm welcomes available.”

This year the council already had a £92 million programme of supports in place for residents struggling with the cost of living, and last month a further package of almost £5m was supported by all political groups.

This added weekend payments for families who receive free school meals, vouchers and advice for households using pre-paid fuel meters, one-off £100 additional payments for those caring for looked after children, and £100,000 for local foodbanks.

Community groups that want to apply for a grant to help them join the warm welcome initiative can do so on the council website.

Details of how groups can access free lets through SLLC as part of the scheme can be found on the South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture website.