A warm welcome for all

We take a look at how community groups, including churches, are providing safe spaces during winter

When the cost-of-living crisis began in 2022, the ChurchWorks Commission* came up with an initiative to help those who were struggling to make ends meet. With many facing the impossible decision of whether to eat or heat their homes during the colder months, Warm Welcome was launched to give people safe, welcoming spaces to gather.

More than 7,000 faith groups, charities and community centres agreed to host Warm Welcome spaces, many also offering free refreshments and activities as well as signposting visitors towards other helpful services. Although the primary aim was to keep people warm, the social benefits were considerable, with many participants feeling more connected and valued as a result. New friendships were formed – and new hobbies pursued.

A practical response

Mairisine Stanfield, minister of First Bangor Presbyterian and her husband, associate minister David Stanfield, wanted to help those in their community as news of the impending energy crisis emerged. They opened their church building from 10am to 4pm every weekday and invited locals in to watch television, chat over a hot drink or read in peace.

‘Many older people have found the last two years really tough because of the pandemic,’ Mairisine said. ‘Our aim isn’t to promote anything or increase church attendance. For us, it’s all about compassion. It’s about meeting people where they’re at, responding to their practical needs and showing them you’ve got their best interests at heart. It’s really about belonging.’

She described one gentleman who became a regular visitor to the First Bangor warm space. Struggling with mental illness, he was initially aggressive. But when he saw that the church volunteers were willing to sit and have a cup of tea with him, and were genuinely interested in his wellbeing, he began to relax and enjoy his time there. ‘He was very lonely, but we soon started see a change in his personality as we built a relationship with him,’ Mairisine said.

Good to see a friendly face

Another Warm Welcome space was set up at St John the Baptist in Wellington, Somerset, which has been serving the local community since the 1500s. St John’s worked with other churches in the town to ensure there was a warm space open every day of the week.

Volunteer Lois Webb described the experience as a ‘privilege’. ‘Sometimes someone would bring a quiz or we’d have newspapers,’ she said, ‘Other times we’d just sit with a cup of tea and biscuits. We didn’t have a huge turnout, but we had a group of regulars that came, mainly older people. We made sure it was warm and welcoming for them. It was such a nice way to get to know each other, and it was good for them to see a friendly face when we bumped into each other around the town.’

Given the success of the Warm Welcome initiative, and the ongoing need for warm community spaces as the colder weather sets in, many churches and community groups plan to offer regular sessions again in the coming months. If you’re interested in finding a warm space near you, visit warmwelcome.uk/#find-a-space

*The ChurchWorks Commission was initially launched in 2021 to bring together leaders from all the major church denominations in the UK, Christian charities and government to have strategic conversations about the Church’s role in Covid recovery. Two key themes were identified: mental health & wellbeing and loneliness and they continue to create proposals to tackle these key themes and bring hope to communities across the country.