Cost of living crisis: Bridlington charity sees increase in demand for help
It's seen a rise in people needing its foodbank and other services
A charity in Bridlington says there has been a rise in the number of people going to them for help due to the cost of living crisis.
Restore is a drop-in run by the Christ Church Bridlington Network, which offers support using its foodbank and cafe to prevent social isolation.
It also gives toiletries, clothes and other items to those who need it.
Reverend Oli Preston, Multiply Minister at Christ Church Bridlington, said: "Going back to just before lockdown, we definitely saw a significant rise in demand through lockdown which I think was mirrored everywhere else but that's not dropped off since with the figures that we're seeing, there's an increase in demand still.
Emma Miles, Lay Multiply Minister at West Hill in the Parish of Bessingby and Bridlington, said: "In the last six months, we've given out over 5,000 parcels. In the last four months, we calculated we've given out 2,258 parcels. We've seen an 15 percent increase in the last six months.
"We've seen an increase in homelessness so we've gone out and bought tents. People who need to top-up their electric or gas, they tend to come to us where we can kind of access little pots of money. So generally it's across the whole board that we're seeing this choice of 'do we heat our house? Or do we eat?'"
Toni Miles, Restore Team Leader, said: "We get quite a lot of single people but the number of families have definitely gone up as well. It's people with mental health issues, people stuck in an addiction and obviously, as they went through the pandemic people were getting a bit more money with their benefits but now as that's gone, with the cost of living and fuel etc, people are really, really struggling."
'The Restore-Hope Hub' is also on every Monday and Wednesday from 11am to 12noon.
If you come in via Restore staff will direct you further.
The charity says they know that many people have felt isolated over the last year and are just desperate for someone to talk to.
'The Restore-Hope Hub' will be a space to connect with people and receive support.
You will be made to feel very welcome by the Restore team.
Coffee and cake will be available.
Find out more here.