Yorkshire Coast YMCA are opening their doors in Scarborough this winter as a warm space.

They will form part of the Warm Welcome Campaign which had 7,000 warm places open last winter. 

It is thought that in total the programme supported more than 500,000 people across the UK with nearly 250,000 individual visits.

The campaign recognises that poverty compounds isolation and loneliness by reducing contact with other people.

Owen Price, the Youth Services Manager, said: "It's great to be able to provide this warm space for the community again to help support young people who are struggling with the increase of cost of living especially through these colder months."

A spokesperson for the YMCA explained that a multitude of factors make winter a difficult time for people struggling.

They said: "Over 14.4 million people live in poverty in the UK and over seven million people experience chronic loneliness.

"Poverty can compound isolation and loneliness and prevent people from connecting with others.

"The rising cost-of-living means that vulnerable people may struggle to keep warm.

"The dark evenings and cold winter months can be challenging for everyone.

"The winter is especially tough on people who feel lonely and isolated, and for anyone who can’t afford to keep heat their homes or get enough to eat.

"YMCA Yorkshire Coast is here to help, offering everyone a warm, welcoming, free and safe space in Scarborough."

The organisation entirely relies on the generous support of volunteers to keep the doors open to everyone.

Their spokesperson made a plea for more people to get involved this winter.

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They said: "We need more volunteers, so we are calling on the community to get in touch and join our Warm Welcome Space. 

"Volunteering at a Warm Welcome Spaces is rewarding and fulfilling, it’s an opportunity to see first-hand the real value that spaces like ours can have on people’s lives.

"Along with providing warmth, it’s a chance to help people to connect, make friends and leave with a smile on their face."