Don't be alone at night - Scunthorpe Centre to open late
The Grange Farm Hobbies Centre will be open 10pm-2am Thursday to Sunday.
Last updated 13th Dec 2023
After trialling staying open late to support people in Scunthorpe at night last week, the Grange Farm Hobbies Centre will continue to open its doors at night time to provide a safe space for people in the town.
The centre will be open between 10pm and 2am every week from Thursday to Sunday. The volunteer-run centre will be a warm space with showers, food and drink, and a place to chat.
Chair of Grange Farm Hobbies Centre Maddison Leigh said: "If one person comes in for 10 minutes it's worked - that was the aim we went in with, and the first night there was 8 or 9 of us there and we can see the difference that we've made. Everyone stayed until the very end all four nights, so I think we've done alright.
"Some people will come and we'll give each other the look and think yeah, this is the reason we're sat here at 1 in the morning in the rain, it's definitely worth it - definitely needed - and it's open for anybody."
The centre is hopeful of eventually gaining enough volunteers to open late every night after the positive feedback they received during the trial. Despite working so late, Maddison said volunteers often find it helps themselves as well as others to be there at night.
The volunteers are not qualified mental health professionals but are available to listen to people who need a chat, and are able to point people in the direction of the services they need.
Maddison said: "Sometimes it seems really massive, but it's something that can be actually dealt with within 5 minutes. We have the ability to stand in front of the person and ask: 'what is it you actually need?'"