Beyond Instagram: Young Cornish Face Winter in Vans

Young people in Cornwall are increasingly resorting to van life not as an adventure, but as a necessity due to the severe lack of affordable housing. The county's booming tourism industry drives up rental costs, making it difficult for locals to find stable accommodation.

This lifestyle presents significant hardships, particularly during winter. Individuals like Skye describe facing freezing temperatures, malfunctioning heaters, and even ice forming inside their vehicles. Basic necessities such as heating, water, and sanitation prove challenging to manage consistently.

Support networks exist, like Caroline Dann's drop-in sessions, offering meals and resources to van dwellers. However, many still grapple with isolation, lack of essential skills for van maintenance, and shame due to local disapproval.

Amidst rising living costs, options for alternative stable housing are scarce. Some find temporary refuge in caravan sites that also house those facing homelessness, highlighting the broader housing crisis affecting vulnerable young people.