Battling the cost of living crisis, Ann Johnson turns to this community centre for comfort and warmth.
The 65-year-old walked here in the torrential rain as she and her sick husband struggle to keep the heating on at home.
Ann said: “I can’t afford the bus. Things have been very hard. There just isn’t enough money.
“It was our grandson’s 17th birthday not so long ago. We managed to get £10 together to give him but it breaks my heart.
“The PlayStation games he wants are £45.”
Pat Granger, 74, is another regular at York’s Gateway Centre. But he said not everyone will be so lucky and find such a place.
The retired railway worker said: “People will die this winter, there’s no doubt about it. Everything is going up, heating, food – and if you’re older, on a pension or vulnerable you’ll be struggling.
“If you can’t get to somewhere like this, there are real risks.”
The community space is run by the church and will be open to all throughout the winter.
It is part of the growing Warm Welcome network, backed by the Daily Mirror’s Christmas appeal.
Manager Sarah Hogben, 36, said that the need for such provision has never been greater. She added: “We’ll be running all winter, then who knows? We don’t see anything changing any time soon.
“People are finding it hard to pay the bills, they aren’t using their heating, they’re cold in their own homes, and we haven’t got to the really cold weather yet.”
Regular Joan Linley said of the centre: “Hard times are ahead but there are people wanting to help.”
