A community trust has launched its own project to provide residents in an East Lothian town with a place to keep warm for a few hours in response to the cost of living crisis.
The Pennypit Trust, in Prestonpans, is working with local hubs to provide food and company to people from the end of this month.
And it is offering to provide free transport to anyone who struggles to get there because of mobility issues.
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The town's Royal British Legion Scotland and local Labour club will both offer people the chance to pop in for a few hours a day during the week.
The Trust said the initiative is in response to the cost-of-living crisis and hikes in energy costs facing every household and will encourage local people to spend a few hours a day out of their house in warm and comfortable surroundings.
Angela Davie, manager of the Pennypit Trust, said "During the Covid pandemic the Pennypit worked hard to connect with those who needed it most by delivering food to people who had to shield and a befriending service to our community members who could not get out.
"The community hubs are a welcome extension of that support".
And Pennypit Trust Chairperson Brian Weddell said: "I saw first-hand during the Covid lockdowns how effective the Pennypit Trust was in supporting local people.
"We are grateful to the British Legion and Labour Club for making their facilities available over the winter and I would encourage as many people as possible to get along for a bite to eat and a blether".
East Lothian Council has opted not to introduce "warm banks" by opening additional public buildings for people to go and keep warm over the winter - a scheme a number of other councils have signed up to. Instead the local authority said it had introduced a 'boost' campaign to provide direct support to people in need while pointing out its libraries and community centres remain open to all during normal hours.
A spokesperson said: "East Lothian Council is actively working with community partners to help residents tackle fuel poverty and the effects of the cost of living increase.
"Alongside the work within our own services including our financial inclusion team, benefits and welfare advice services, we have allocated £758,500 support for low income households as well as over £100,000 for food initiatives such as East Lothian Foodbank, community kitchens and pantries which includes funding for community venues to provide hot meals.
“An additional advisor is working with Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Haddington to support the ‘boost your income’ campaign to run a benefits check and make sure households are getting all the income they’re entitled to.
“The key message is to get in touch with us without delay as there are various ways we can help. The information can be found at www.eastlothian.gov.uk/boost”
The Pennypit Trust, a charity which has been delivering sport and community development in Prestonpans for nearly 30 years said everyone would be welcome at the clubs.
Posters promoting the events will tell locals "Don't let all the doom and gloom on the TV get you down and get along to our community hubs for a bite to eat and a blether".
From October 31 the Royal British Legion Scotland, at Rope Walk, will host Monday's Time for Tea 11:30am - 1:30pm and Thursday's Lunch with the Bunch 12pm - 1:30pm.
Prestonpans Labour Club, Kirk Street will be open for people to go along for a light meal and catch up in the warmth on Tuesdays from 12:30pm - 3:30pm and Wednesdays from 12:30pm - 3:30pm.
Anyone with mobility issues who requires a lift can call The Pennypit Trust
on 01875 815221.
To contact CAB Haddington through benefits@haddingtoncab.org.uk or 01620 824471.
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