We've teamed up with Ryedale District Council and opened our doors to help keep people warm this winter.
Working alongside the council, Next Steps and Carers Plus Yorkshire we've opened five of our community centres in North Yorkshire where local people can go to access a range of services and facilities this winter. They include Rainbow Lane Community Centre, Ingsgarth Community Centre, Orchard Close Community Centre and Manor Close. Other warm spaces across the Ryedale District have also been set up by local businesses, the council and charities.
Sessions are being run by Yorkshire Housing colleagues, community partners and customers and include activities such as coffee mornings and bingo, with refreshments also available.
Last month we launched our #HelpOut campaign to raise awareness of where people can go for help with things like paying bills, the cost of food, budgeting, finding work and mental health support.
Last year our money coaching team helped save customers over £1m in unclaimed entitlements and we're also looking at other ways we can support our customers going into winter.
Charlotte Woollard, community independence manager said:
“Sadly, we know that a lot of people are really worried about how they're going to heat their homes and keep warm this winter.
"That's why we're opening up our community centres so people have somewhere they can go to keep warm, enjoy some refreshments, and company. Volunteers will also be on hand to signpost people to other support services so that people can get the help they need.
“Yorkshire Housing are not just a housing provider, we’re part of the community and it’s really important to us that we do our bit to help out.”
We'll be opening more ‘warm spaces’ in other parts of Yorkshire over the next few weeks.