The place where all can feel welcome

Places of Welcome is a network of local community groups offering people somewhere to see a friendly face and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat. Fiona Evans looks at the movement’s appeal.

Acursory glance through Places of Welcome’s Twitter feed offers some insight into why the movement is proving so popular.

“Love comes in many forms but a ‘cup of tea and a biscuit’ served with a smile is a great start,” reads one tweet from someone who is clearly impressed.

What began in Birmingham as something to allow individuals to get to know their community better has grown into a thriving network of almost 300 venues across England and Wales.

Run by local community groups, Places of Welcome venues offer neighbourhoods a space for people to sit, have a chat and a free cup of tea or coffee on a weekly basis.

The ethos is rooted in a good old-fashioned sense of neighbourliness - offering communities safe places for people to connect, belong and contribute.

Churches, community centres, libraries, mosques, temples and other community group buildings are among the various venues which play host to this flourishing movement.

“The whole concept of getting a friendly welcome and the chance to enjoy a cuppa while meeting with others is one that is making a positive difference around the country,” said

James Henderson, Places of Welcome’s national coordinator. “And the great thing is that anywhere can be a ‘Place of Welcome’, all held together by a common set of values that all venues share.

“There are already a superb range of venues in communities offering free refreshments and people who will listen to anyone who wants to chat as well as offer signposting to other sources of help or resources if required.”

Places of Welcome is supported by Near Neighbours, a national charity which works across England with different faith and ethnic communities finding ways for them to positively interact. Staffed by volunteers, Places of Welcome venues are open to everyone regardless of their circumstances or situation and have a strong emphasis on listening.

Also key is the idea that every person will bring talents, experiences and skills that they may be willing to share locally.

The network is open to anyone, from someone who is new to an area who may not know anyone or speak English as their first language, to those who may have lived in their neighbourhood for a long time but feel isolated, perhaps due to changed circumstances, bereavement, redundancy or even a new baby.

Among those who have visited the network is 29-year-old Liam, who has featured in a documentary about his battle to quit the synthetic cannabinoid, black mamba.

Speaking at a Places of Welcome venue Liam said: “This is my few hours of ‘home’ each week. I don’t have a sofa to relax on or a safe place to drink a cup of tea and put my feet up but Places of Welcome gives me that opportunity and it makes me feel like a normal person again.”

Since the first venue was established in 2012 the network has been visited by thousands of people.

“It’s really easy for everybody to get involved,” said James. “It’s a real community response to people wanting to get to know other people in their community and create safe places where everyone feels welcome. I think people want to reconnect with that sense of having a community and that neighbourliness.

“One of the best bits of feedback we ever got was from someone who said they just felt like a celebrity, everyone was just so pleased to see them when they walked in. We really believe that everybody matters and has something to contribute. Everyone is important as a human being and has something important to contribute.”

To find out more visit www.placesofwelcome. org.uk.