Welcoming Spaces

Welcoming Spaces grants now available

We are pleased to announce the reopening of our grant scheme to support the creation and enhancement of Welcoming Spaces.

Since the initiative started:

• 109 spaces have registered
• 109,496 people have attended Welcoming Spaces sessions
• 5,231 referrals have been made to organisations and services

Funding

The grant funding is now closed.

Find a Welcoming Space near you

There is a cost-of-living crisis in the UK resulting in unprecedented pressures on people already in poverty, and this winter despite the support given by the government, many people in West Northamptonshire will struggle to be able to afford to heat their home.

We are working with parish and town councils and partners in the voluntary and community sector to create a network of Welcoming Spaces - a group of non-judgemental, safe and welcoming places where people in West Northamptonshire can come together to stay warm, and perhaps enjoy a hot meal or a cup of tea and a biscuit.

We have created a directory of all the places available to our residents across the public, private, health and voluntary sectors so that anyone who is cold knows where they can go to stay warm and enjoy a little company and some hot refreshments this winter.

Map of Welcoming Spaces in West Northamptonshire

Why we need Welcoming Spaces

Energy bills have increased significantly for many households, and despite the support given by the government, the reality is that for most families this support will not be enough and they will still struggle with the rising cost of food and fuel, and other necessities.

This means that although people will have extra money to go towards their energy costs, it may not make enough of a difference, and many will still be torn between choosing to heat their home or put food on the table.

Using Welcoming Spaces

Everyone is invited to visit our Welcoming Spaces and will be given a warm welcome from the staff and volunteers each time they visit. Guests are treated equally, with dignity and respect. Everyone has a right to be warm, so everyone in a Welcoming Space treats people, and is treated by people, with dignity and respect.

Your Welcoming Space will be a safe space and will stick to the safeguarding policies and food hygiene rules. We won’t tell anyone about you needing a Welcoming Space, but if you want to share the reasons you need a Welcoming Space, someone will listen.

Every Welcoming Space is a non-judgemental space; whatever the reason you have for needing to come in, you'll be treated the same and never judged.

Offering Welcoming Spaces

Do you have a community building that could be used as a Welcoming Space to support people in West Northamptonshire? 

As part of our Anti-Poverty Strategy we are continuing to look for Welcoming Spaces to support anyone struggling with the cost of living this winter and are keen to work with community groups and organisations that would be able to provide Welcoming Spaces within their community.

If you have a community space that can be used, please let us know

Last updated 14 November 2024