Cost of living crisis: Guide published on where to find warm spaces and other help in Inverness
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Faith groups and community organisations in Inverness have joined forces to publish a guide to where people struggling to heat their homes can access a free warm space.
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, city churches, the mosque and other community organisations have come together in a bid to ensure people are not left out in the cold this winter.
Inverness Warm Spaces is providing details of places which are opening their doors as well as information about other help from free meals and hot drinks to sessions for mental health support.
It also highlights other projects such as pay forward schemes at cafés, a free exercise class starting in January and a Listening Ear drop-in service.
The guide is available online at invernesswarmspaces.com where it will be updated regularly and can be downloaded.
It is being led by Alasdair Christie, manager of the Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), who described it as a great collaboration and said some organisations were already doing remarkable jobs of putting on meals and activities and support for vulnerable people.
“What we are desperate to ensure is that people know where they can go for a warm meal, a cup of tea and sit in a warm area and talk to people and get advice on their situation,” he said.
“When there are people so alone and isolated, it is so important in these times.”
Mr Christie, who is also a Highland councillor for Ness-side, added: “It is totally unprecedented poverty that people are thinking twice before they boil a kettle, put on a bar on the electric fire, or put on their heating or lights.”
Rev Duncan MacPherson is the minister at Hilton Church which runs a range of projects including family support.
“I was keen to work with Alasdair in terms of trying to establish what resources there were across the different faith groups,” explained Mr MacPherson, who said other organisations were also providing support such as Hilton Community Centre which is open three days a week.
“We are different bits of the jigsaw. No one can do everything.”
Scott McRoberts, minister of St Columba, said his congregation worships at Drummond School and does not have a church building to open as a warm space.
But it is backing Inverness Warm Spaces by publicising the information and has also supported other projects including a breakfast club run by teachers at a secondary school.
He stressed there was no shame in asking for help.
“Both the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis probably highlighted we all need help at some point in life,” he said. “More people are experiencing that just now.”
Churches and other organisations have noticed increasing numbers of people are experiencing growing anxiety as they struggle with rising energy bills and living costs.
Street pastor Mark Hadfield is one of about 20 volunteers who patrol in the city centre, Merkinch and Hilton areas to listen, care, and help people in need.
“Being available to listen is the most practical thing we can do,” he said.
“I think a lot of people are trying to get their head down and get through Christmas – and January is going to be hard. We want to signpost people to where they can get help.”
Janet Logue, pastoral care worker at Culduthel Christian Centre, said: “People are wondering what is to come in the future – that it is bad now and fear it is going to be worse.”
Matthew Banks, business development manager at Inverness CAB, said Inverness Warm Spaces is a fledging initiative and more providers may wish to join.
“It is an unfortunate situation to have to do this but it is a welcome practical response for the local community,” he said.
“People know where the food banks are but it is not the same for warm spaces.”
