Programme has had a very warm response

More than 2,500 people have benefitted from the third year of the Winter Connections programme in Renfrewshire, it has been estimated.

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

The warm spaces initiative - a network of sessions that allows people to enjoy the company of others in a welcoming environment - ran from roughly November until March.

Backed by £75,000 in council funding, it facilitates grants of up to £2,000 for groups and organisations so they can provide free activities which are inclusive and offer warm drinks and food in the colder months.

An evaluation of the scheme for 2024/25 has been completed and will be considered by the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee at its meeting today.

It said: "The Winter Connections programme has been running during the winter months since November 2022.

Success Winter Connections has been running in Renfrewshire for three years