Kilmarnock churches join together to offer a warm space to meet this winter

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A fellowship of Kilmarnock churches are joining forces this winter to help those in need. With the cost of living crisis and high fuel costs creating a desperate situation for those on low-incomes, East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action (EACHa) have created 'Warm Spaces in Safe Places'.The initiative is aimed at those who cannot afford to heat their homes, are homeless or isolated.

The EACHa drop-in centre, based at New Laigh Kirk Halls, the Central Evangelical Church, the Howard Centre, Kilmarnock Baptist Church, Kay Park Church, St Matthew’s Church, St Joseph’s Church and the Salvation Army are all offering a warm space to come along and enjoy some refreshments, friendly conversation and other services.Emma Wylie Springer, EACHa Project Co-ordinator, said: "It's a desperate time and some people we help actually choose to commit crimes at this time of year so they can go to prison. "In prison, they know they'll get three meals a day and have a warm place to sleep until they're let out when the better weather comes in. "It's really sad this service is needed, people in the community right now can't afford a hot meal or to turn on their heating. "We offer a hot meal food and give food parcels to take away, the drop-in also helps organise other services like a hairdresser, oral health team, debt advice, housing help and we give out hygiene packs to those that need them. "Those needing emergency housing sometimes walk into a place with nothing in it. "We have around 30 housing referrals per month, one referral can mean multiple people, and we offer white goods and cleaning supplies.

Recently we helped a Ukrainian family with four children. "Each housing pack, including a microwave and toaster, is £179 but this is