Warm hubs 'saving lives'
It's as a cold health warning is in effect across the North West
As the freezing weather continues, we're being told how warm hubs across Merseyside and Lancashire are literally 'saving lives'.
The Life Rooms offer free hot drinks and soup, free courses and practical advice and support at its sites in Walton, Bootle and Southport.
The service has recently extended its hours too to offer more help to anyone who needs it during this winter period.
A cold weather warning is in effect across the North West for the next week.
Michael Crilly, Director of Social Health and Community Inclusion at Mersey Care NHS Trust, said:
"As we've gone into winter, people are quite desperate - and therefore, to have a lifeline that's very proactively made available to them, it can literally mean the difference between life and death.
"People are saying the Life Rooms have saved their lives. People are struggling to gain employment, they're already potentially in a difficult situation, they have people who are dependant upon them, they have bills to pay, heating and lighting your house has gone through the roof, the cost of food.
"Literally somebody who can be there for you, make you realise you're not alone and try and chunk up your challenges into manageable, achievable goals can make all the difference in the world.
"We're increasingly conscious that there are people don't have their own homes. We're not open through the night, but we know how to get you access to support that could mean you don't spend that night on the street.
"People don't need to, but they often don't know how to navigate a complex system and that's why the Life Rooms is here."