A campaign set up to help combat the cost of living crisis by offering warm spaces ended 2024 with nearly 5,000 registered locations.
Warm Welcome Spaces is a national initiative launched in 2022 in response to the cost-of-living crisis and has expanded rapidly in the space of two years.
It comes at a time when the government’s own internal evaluations predict poverty among pensioners is set to rise due to the impact of winter fuel payments becoming means tested in the budget.
Charity representative Lucy Rouse said: “We are delighted with the way the campaign is going, and the way it has been embraced by the country.
“We have gone from a few hundred spaces up to just under 5,000 registered spaces with the campaign, which is great.
“We have had a huge number of sign-ups even this year so it is growing and growing.”
The initiative provides a warm and welcoming environment which is accessible to all, and saw over 2million visits made in 2023/24, according to the charity’s annual report.
The report also revealed that these spaces open their doors to 120,00 visitors each week, which is aided by over 10,000 volunteers.
Churches, libraries, community centres, sports clubs, and even hairdressers are among the locations that have got on board with this initiative.
These spaces both help keep people warm in the winter months, but also fight the loneliness epidemic throughout the year.
Rouse said: “What we found was, people came for the warmth and stayed for the connection.
“A lot of the spaces ended up opening throughout the whole year, having just been a winter effort at the start of 2022.
“They have become real hubs of their communities for people all year round.”
The is highlighted by the charity’s data which shows that the most popular reason for visiting these spaces is to spend time with other people.
In fact, 84% of those who used warm spaces shared that it has helped them feel a stronger sense of belonging to their local community.
Rouse said: “It is all about bringing people back together again, that is the vision.
“That said, winter is still an acute period with the cost of fuel still being very high.
“The whole epidemic of loneliness can be heightened in the winter with shorter days, adverse weather and people not wanting to get out.”
Wandsworth Town Library is among the community spaces which has opened its doors to local residents.
GLL Libraries partnership manager, Daniel Andrews, said: “As a charitable social enterprise at the heart of our local community, we wanted to play our part in supporting vulnerable people in the community who struggle during the cold winter months.
“It has been a lifeline for many people in the community.
“To do this is a privilege and we know from feedback what a difference it makes.”
Along with offering a warm spaces for the community to come together, Wandsworth libraries also offer hot drinks and cost of living warm packs.
DanceWest has also recently opened its doors to the community offering low or no cost dance and wellbeing activities in West London.
A representative said: “We can really see and a feel a sense of belonging amongst the participants.
“They feel really comfortable and at home in our space and as well as that, of course, they are improving their balance and mobility, and staying active.
“There has been so many studies about the impact of dance on mental and physical wellbeing, particularly in older adults.”
The work DanceWest does to both provide a community space for older adults but also through dance, build their balance and mobility to help with fall prevention has supported hundreds of people in South West London.
These spaces provide warmth and community to south west London citizens as they continue to fight the cost of living crisis and loneliness.
Join the discussion