The Warm Welcome Campaign has launched Warm Welcome Week today, turning Blue Monday into a celebration of warmth and connection.
With more than 5,000 registered Warm Welcome Spaces, the initiative ensures people can find a place to stay warm and feel part of a community.
The spaces come in all shapes and sizes, from libraries, community centres, faith-based buildings like churches, to cafes, sports centres, businesses, museums and many more.
You can find your nearest Warm Welcome Space using the interactive map at warmwelcome.uk.
Despite two-thirds of the UK population living within a 30-minute walk of a Warm Welcome Space, just 20% are aware of them.
Nearly 5.5 million people—8.1% of the population—have visited one in the past year, highlighting their growing importance.
The Rt Hon Gordon Brown, Founding Patron of the campaign, said: “In the darkest and coldest times, Warm Welcome Spaces offer communities a chain of hope. Without these community spaces, people would be at home with the heating off—and thus alone and in the cold.”
David Barclay, Warm Welcome Campaign Director, added: “We have already seen huge demand for Warm Welcome Spaces this January, not only supporting people struggling to pay the bills but also playing a vital role in connecting communities and giving people a place of belonging.”
