A church is opening its doors to give people a 'Warm Welcome'.

Whitehaven United Reformed Church (URC) is one of thousands of Warm Welcome Spaces across the UK, which aim to provide people with 'connection, friendship, and human warmth.'

These spaces are designed to help combat loneliness, isolation, and boost wellbeing by providing a safe space for residents to socialise.

Whitehaven URC said it is a warm, welcoming, safe, and free space that is open to everyone in the community.

It will be open every Wednesday, from November 27, from 10am to 11.30am.

The church will offer hot drinks, cakes, biscuits, warmth, company, blankets, and clothes to help keep people warm during winter.

Last winter, more than 4,000 Warm Welcome Spaces hosted two million visits, with an average of more than 120,000 people attending these spaces each week.

A spokesman for Whitehaven URC said: "We want everyone to find a place of belonging in their community this winter.

"Our space will open on November 27 and we are ready to give you a very Warm Welcome.

"It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with others.

"We want everyone to know that a Warm Welcome is waiting for you just around the corner.

"We’d love you to come along and get to know us over a cuppa.

"Please help us to spread the word so everyone can find our Warm Welcome Space."

Warm Welcome Spaces can have a 'profound impact' on loneliness, social isolation, and mental wellbeing.

It is said that 84 per cent of people who have visited a Warm Welcome Space said it has given them a stronger sense of belonging to their community.

Find out about nearby Warm Welcome Spaces at www.warmwelcome.uk/find-a-space#map