A pastor wants to bring a Northumberland community together at a weekly warm space to tackle loneliness and isolation.
Berwick Baptist Church runs a warm space every Wednesday but Pastor John Hodgkins says it is about more than helping people who are struggling to heat their homes.
Pastor Hodgkins fears mental health is at a "tipping point" in the community and wants to bring people together who are struggling with isolation and loneliness.
READ MORE: The Northumberland warm space offering friendship as mental health crisis reaches 'tipping point'
Pastor Hodgkins said: "It is all about friendship and community. People are very, very lonely.
"I think there are a number of things; Covid; I think it has to do with where we are as a country now and because this area, job wise, it is hard.
"It is at a tipping point in some areas, more than people would think. I think there is a hopelessness in young people and people are turning to alcohol and drugs. Part of it is loneliness and hopelessness.
"If we can create a place where people can just travel with one another and feel they are not alone, not isolated and valued and to help them."
Pastor Hodgkins, who has been a minister for 12 years, added: "I think sometimes people are in a mind maze and don't know the way out to get out of their emotion but if you have got someone who will help say take this turn, take that turn and you will see the light.
"I think it is all about community. When I was a child growing up in the mining communities in the Wansbeck and Morpeth area I never saw as much mental health and depression and it was because we had community and family.
"I think the breakdown of family and community is isolating young people and older people."
Every Wednesday the church, on Golden Square, runs a warm space group from 10am until 2pm, where people can enjoy a cuppa, chat and play games.
Pastor Hodgkins, 61, said the hub had been a success and they plan to keep it running through the year.
He said: "From the moment we opened ours we were getting anywhere from five to about eight people at first, but today I think we've had about 15 more people through.
"Some people come in the morning for an hour and then they leave and then our men's group from the church all meet here before they head for a walk. It is really building community which is the main thing.
"We have an art group on a Thursday for mental health so we have people who have been going there coming here. It is like building connections. We have had a number of strangers coming in and they've come back."
Even though it is based in a church, Pastor Hodgkins said it is not a faith based group and they plan to keep running it throughout the year - with some minor changes.
He added: "We predominantly keep it as a community group so people can come in and feel safe and okay.
"I think most of the churches are looking at the end of March when the warm spaces are going to end. What we are going to do is change the name and we will find a suitable name that has no stigma as though you are coming here because you can't heat your home.
"I think our ideas are expanding now because once the warmer weather comes we can expand it to the main part of the church and may rent out little tables for artists who want to come because it will be market day.
"Some of the places for people trying to make money, it is hard for them."
The hub has proven to be a bustle of activity with local residents enjoying tea, coffee, bacon rolls and games.
Pauline Greenley, 66, said coming to the hub was a great opportunity to meet people.
She said: "It is a company and I look forward to coming here and meeting up with people. The comradery and playing games, just generally having cups of tea and having a laugh. It is such good fun. We would really miss it if it wasn't here. It is something you look forward to."
Lee Stroud, 66, said it was a shame to see the country in such a state as people rely more frequently on food banks to survive.
She said: "It is such a shame when in our country now we are having to have food banks. It seems such a shame. I think governments don't realise everything they do affects the poorer of us. It is alright saying I'll give you money. But you give it in one hand it is taken out the other. If you get benefits you can't have extra."
Margaret McInstosh, 74, recalled the days when there were only coal fires to warm homes.
She said: "I remember when I was young we had a coal fire and that was it. There was frost in our windows and I used to run to bed with cardigans and socks on. We ran to bed and got ready in front of the fire and jumped under the covers. To be quite honest we are spoiled as well.
"I keep looking at food and I look at stuff, even the dog treats, it used to be three for £1 and now they are £1.25 each."
- Cost of living: Old-fashioned money-saving tips - how many do you do?
- Energy saving tips that will save you money - and others which are a waste of time
- How to defrost the condensate pipe on your boiler in 4 easy steps
- Cost of living: Work out how much your heating costs per hour
- Your rights if you are a tenant and your home develops mould
