Ready for a cuppa: the Bristol Warm Welcome Network story
Back in 2022, when the cost-of-living crisis was at its height, communities across the UK responded as Warm Spaces began to pop up everywhere - simple, heated places for people who couldn’t afford to heat their own home. Here in Bristol, these spaces really caught on and quickly became known as Welcoming Spaces, because people came for the warmth - but stayed for the welcome.
Over the last three years, with support from the Good Faith Partnership, the Warm Welcome Campaign has helped establish over 5,300 registered warm spaces across the UK. The idea is simple: a building with the heating on, a cup of tea, and some friendly faces. But the impact is huge, tackling isolation, loneliness, and poor mental health in ways that no formal service can. They happen in all sorts of places, like community cafes, libraries, and places of faith.
THE BRISTOL WARM WELCOME NETWORK
Initially, Good Faith Partnership specifically supported Bristol churches to host Welcoming Spaces and reach out to their individual communities. This became a thriving network, responding to a real need. This has now grown into something greater called the Bristol Warm Welcome Network. Open to all Welcoming Spaces, faith-based or not, volunteers and leaders come together roughly every two months or so to swap stories, share learnings, and support each other. There are some great funding opportunities too.
NEXT BRISTOL WARM WELCOME NETWORK EVENT: MON 20TH OCT
Our next event is an in-person bumper health day for Warm Welcome space leaders and volunteers. Taking place on October 20th, 10am-2pm at The Foundation event space @ Triodos Bank, this event will feature expert workshops highlighting how warm spaces can best support the physical and mental health of their guests.
Search ‘Bristol Warm Welcome Network: Bumper Health Day’ on Eventbrite or click here to sign-up!
To stay connected with the upcoming Warm Welcome Network events, visit https://www.warmwelcome.uk/.
To explore anything else in this post, contact alisha.palmer@goodfaith.org.uk