As the colder weather sets in and energy costs continue to escalate, many people are worrying about how they will keep warm this winter.   

Fuel Poverty is on the rise, forcing people to make difficult choices between heating their home and putting food on the table.  

Bills have actually increased by £300 since the last general election, and Winter Fuel payments being withdrawn last winter, only to be reinstated this year, only added to the financial pressures facing many.   

In response to these worrying issues facing our communities, thousands of free, warm, and welcoming spaces are now available across the UK to make sure that nobody is left to suffer on their own during winter.   

The Warm Welcome Campaign supports and resources a growing network of over 5,500 Warm Welcome Spaces. Last winter, Warm Welcome Spaces supported over 2.6 million visitors in local communities across the UK. 

‍A recent poll revealed that most Warm Welcome Spaces (91%) offer guests free food and drinks, over a third (35%) offer a food pantry or food bank, around three-quarters (74%) signpost guests to additional support services, and 26% offer debt or benefits advice. 

Warm Welcome Spaces come in all different shapes and sizes, from a homework club in a local church on a Tuesday, to an over 65s community centre drop-in on a Wednesday and library co-working desk open all weekend. Some are open for an hour a week, others from 9-5pm every day.  

The vast majority of Warm Welcome Spaces remain open throughout the year. People may have come for the warmth, but they stay for the welcome. 

For many Warm Welcome Space guests, the space becomes part of their day to day lives, giving them a sense of belonging and connection within their communities. 

Over 14.4 million people live in poverty in the UK and 7% of people experience chronic loneliness.  

Warm Welcome Spaces have a profound impact on loneliness, isolation, and mental wellbeing.  

Research shows that 70% of people say that since coming to a Warm Welcome Space they now never or rarely feel isolated. 

Guests say that what they love about their Warm Welcome Space is the opportunity to make new friends and connect with their community.

These Warm Welcome Spaces really are changing lives, and it would be great to see more of them in our communities.  

Churches, libraries, community organisations, businesses, schools and other faith groups can all register as a Warm Welcome Space through the website, www.warmwelcome.uk, by entering their Space's address, opening times, facilities and any other relevant information they might want guests to know.  

Once registered, Spaces get access to Warm Welcome resources, comprised of carefully curated guidelines, toolkits, and checklists on all things safety, fundraising activities, volunteer recruitment and more. 

Nobody should feel cold and alone this winter.  

If you are craving warmth and companionahip, I encourage you to find your nearest Warm Welcome Space, where the kettle is always on.  

• To find your local Warm Welcome Space visit https: //www.warmwelcome.uk/find-a-space 

All spaces in the Warm Welcome map are free, warm, welcoming and safe.