Sheffield Councillor expects demand for warm spaces to go 'through the roof' this winter
We've been speaking to Labour Councillor Safiya Saeed about rising energy prices
Warm banks across South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire tell us they expect to be 'packed full to capacity' over the next few months.
The energy price cap comes into effect from today - meaning gas & electricity prices will by go up by 10 per cent until the end of 2024.
Labour Councillor Safiya Saeed runs a Warm Bank at the Verdon Recreation Centre in the Burngreave area of Sheffield:
"We are really dreading the prices going up and dreading how anxious it'll make people feel.
"Our doors are open seven days a week - we're trying to put on free cups of tea, food, free clothing, and warm blankets, but we really need resources because the demands are going to go really high.
"If people need to come in and warm some food up, we have microwaves here, and they can stay as long as they want to.
"I'm afraid how I'm going to finance my children who are trying to live independently themselves, but I think we've got a very strong community spirit here.
"We've got people who help their neighbours in Burngreave; we split bread in half if we have to.
"Please don't suffer in silence and please don't feel that you can't leave your home.
"Come to the community centre just to seek some sort of warmth and let your suffering be known."
The Government says there's a range of support available for those struggling- including 'The Warm Home Discount Scheme', which re-opens today.