Places of Welcome
Places of Welcome is a national network of over 600 spaces offering an unconditional welcome to local people to connect and contribute for few hours each week. They are places where everyone can go for a friendly face, a cup of tea and a conversation if and when they need it. Places of Welcome take place in a variety of venues including churches, community centres, libraries, mosques, temples and other community group buildings across the UK.
Transforming Lives Together is helping facilitate, resource and connect the Place of Welcome network across the Diocese of Chester. We currently support 58 Places of Welcome in the Diocese in a growing network of hospitality across a variety of local churches. Developed out of the Birmingham Social Inclusion process ‘Giving Hope Changing Lives’, Places of Welcome responds to the challenge to make our cities and neighbourhoods more welcoming. The network has developed a set of guiding principles for all the Places of Welcome, known as "the 5 P's":
Place
An accessible and hospitable building, open at the same time every week.
People
Open to everyone regardless of their circumstances or situation, and staffed by volunteers.
Presence
A place where people actively listen to one another.
Provision
Offering free refreshments (at least a cup of tea and a biscuit) and basic local information.
Participation
Recognises that every person coming to a Place of Welcome bring talents, experiences and skills they might be willing to share locally.
VIDEOS
Some prayers that may be used by Place of Welcome teams as they gather before each day's activities are available to print. Click to download
"Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
Romans 15:7
