The national director of a charity which helps people in Irvine battling against poverty has met local volunteers to find out more about the vital work they are doing on the ground.

Lyn Weston, UK director of church engagement for Christians Against Poverty (CAP) in the UK, visited Fullarton Connexions in Irvine to hear first-hand from volunteers at the Irvine and Three Towns Debt Centre about how they are seeing people impacted by the cost of living crisis.

A new CAP YouGov poll reveals 89 per cent of people in Scotland think fighting poverty should be a priority.

This YouGov polling shows adults across Scotland are feeling the impact of rising costs as more than half have lost sleep worrying about finances. 

Millions are going without essentials, as 46 per cent of respondents to the poll reported going without heating – while 31 per cent said they have skipped meals during the cost-of-living crisis. 

Alan McLaren, an Irvine-based debt doach with CAP said: “I have witnessed local people going through mental torture and physical pain as a result of the shame they feel because of personal debt issues. Lyn really listened to our feedback and it was fabulous that she took time out to hear from us.”

Ms Weston added: “At Christians Against Poverty what makes us different is the extra mile that our debt coaches, managers and volunteer befrienders will go to provide emotional and practical support to our clients. 

“I was blown away by the stories and passion that I heard from our front-line people in Irvine.”

The visit came after new figures from the Department of Work and Pensions revealed a rise in child poverty in North Ayrshire.

According to the DWP statistics, the number of children in absolute poverty in the area rose from 5,300 to 5,951 in the last eight years.

Anyone struggling with their finances can call the freephone number 0800 328 0006 to arrange a free face-to-face meeting with a member of the CAP Irvine-based team.