Two colleagues from our Priority Services team have been spending time at local Warm Spaces run by our Warm Welcome partners.
Lynda and Andrea, who work as Contact Centre Advisers, reflect on how these Warm Spaces are not just about keeping warm but are helping people to find support and friendships.
Lynda’s experience, Coedpenmaen Community Church, Pontypridd
My nearest Warm Welcome space is Coedpenmaen Community Church in Pontypridd, where I attended the ‘Time for T’ session, a lovely parent and toddler group. This session is perfectly timed for parents just after the school run, giving them the opportunity to spend quality time with their children rather than rushing home to cook.
From the moment I stepped through the doors, the space was full of warmth and welcome. I was quickly introduced to Martyn and Bethan, a vibrant husband and wife duo who lead the group with enthusiasm and deep community spirit. With the help of Christian songs, clapping, dancing and plenty of smiles, the energy was infectious. I even made a few little friends who left me with the biggest cwtch (hug) before I left.
Helping out with teas, coffees and meals for the families, I had the chance to connect with parents from both local and surrounding areas; some had travelled more than 10 miles to attend. It was heartening to speak about the Priority Services Register (PSR), as many parents were unaware they could sign up if they had children under the age of five. Martyn and Bethan kindly agreed to display our posters to help spread the word further.
The church is a hive of activity throughout the week. On Wednesdays, they serve a two course lunch between 12-1pm, offering food and friendly conversation to anyone who may be feeling lonely. Thursdays offer a quieter setting for knitting games and chats. They even collect unsold bakery and fruit items from the local Tesco store and share these with the local community via social media.
Martyn - who I later discovered is Martyn Geraint, a former S4C (Welsh Channel) children’s presenter - brings lots of joy to their Sunday School and other groups throughout the week. The work being done by this couple and the church is truly heart-warming, and it was such a pleasure to witness it first-hand.
Andrea’s experience St Edward’s Church Hall, Castle Donington, Leicestershire
I visited a remarkable Warm Space at St Edward’s Church Hall. Established in November 2022 during the peak of the energy price crisis, it has become a vital community hub.
Welcomed by the lovely Shirley Swanepoel and dedicated volunteer Sue Forshaw, I was struck by how bright, open and inclusive the space felt.
Its sofas, activity tables and children’s play area make it equipped to cater for all ages, from babies as young as six weeks to visitors well into their 90s.
I was especially inspired by the presence of students from St Edwards’s Primary School, led by head teacher Rachel Lacey. The school’s ‘Courageous advocacy’ initiative gets children involved in local causes and fundraising. One touching moment came when students – including some who don’t have grandparents of their own - interacted with older visitors, finding joy and connection in these intergenerational conversations.
With weekly attendance ranging from 40-55 people, this space is a lifeline for many. It supports a broad cross-section of the community, from dementia carers to remote workers. Thanks to local donations, everyone enjoys sandwiches, crisps, fruit, tea and biscuits, and the centre even received a grant to help older visitors access online services with support from volunteers.
The real beauty of this space is in its stories. I met lifelong friends Elaine, who is recovering after a stroke, and Barbara who treasure their Fridays together. I also reunited with Peter, a former colleague who finds comfort here after a life-altering event, and Ian, a former army warrant officer who overcame addiction and now dedicates himself to helping others.
To further show our support for the invaluable service provided by Warm Welcome, we ran a bake sale at our Castle Donington office and raised an incredible £955.15, including £400 of funding from NGED. This will go towards supporting the Warm Space campaign.
If you'd like to find out more about the Priority Services Register, take a look at our PSR Hub.