There have been more than 10,000 visits to warm spaces hubs across Sunderland in just three months as families face the cost of living crisis.
Sunderland City Council initially funded a network of 55 warm spaces that are located in venues such as libraries, community centres, youth projects and even a recoding studio.
The network, which launched in October, has now expanded to 67 spaces which offer a range of services as well as helping people who are struggling to pay their energy bills and keep warm.
READ MORE: Map shows more than 100 places you can keep warm in Northumberland this winter
It comes after Sunderland pensioner John Foster, 76, told ChronicleLive he'd gone without a hot meal in six years until he visited the Pallion Action Group warm space.
The pensioner now visits the space every day to receive a warm meal and staff helped him claim benefits he was entitled to, allowing him to turn his heating on.
Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet member for vibrant city at Sunderland City Council: "Our network of warm spaces is playing a crucial role in helping people since they were set up in October, with more than 10,000 visits in their first three months.
"The original network of 55 warm spaces was set up with voluntary and community sector partners.
"It is all about offering a range of support services, as well as helping people struggling with their energy bills and the cost of living crisis to keep warm.
"We are making sure there is somewhere in every community where people can go to keep warm. And also making them places for our residents to go for support and advice and most importantly to meet others.
"They have been really well used not just as warm spaces, but places to learn new skills, reduce isolation and loneliness and improve health and wellbeing.
"This original network has now expanded to 67 warm spaces located in venues across the city, ranging from libraries and community centres to youth projects and a recording studio.
"Working with our colleagues in the voluntary and community sector we are also looking to develop this model beyond the cost of living crisis, to make sure the council is as accessible as possible by reaching out to residents, who might not otherwise come into contact with council services, in their own communities.
"This is just one of the ways we are trying to help our residents through the cost of living crisis wherever possible."
The council has a dedicated Cost Of Living Hub on its website www.sunderland.gov.uk/cost-of-living with all of the information about the range of local and national help available including local support schemes and services, advice and information.
Counc Williams added: "Residents on low incomes and vulnerable households can access the Household Support Fund. And we are constantly looking at what more we can do to support our residents through this challenging time."
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