Please find below information on this Winter’s Welcome Spaces (formerly Warm Spaces) which may be of use to you or someone you know:
Welcome Spaces Winter 2023/24
In Winter 2022/23 over 200 organisations including all Leeds City Council Community Hubs and Libraries, faith-based, private and third sector stepped forward to become part of the Leeds Warm Space Project. All locations offered opportunities for people to gather for free in a warm, safe, and welcoming space.
At the project peak, over 200 Warm Spaces were registered on the Leeds Warm Spaces map, and over 65% of the Leeds population was within a 10-minute walk of a Warm Space.
After consultation with organisations who hosted ‘Warm Spaces’ in 2022/23 we learned that the most successful spaces did not focus directly on cost-of-living issues, but instead offered activities, food, social and local connections, as well as signposting and support.
The project will be re-established in winter 2023/24, using learning and development from last year. Based on consultation with organisations about their preferred name, the title of the project for 2023/24 has been changed to ‘Welcome Spaces’.
We expect the majority of Welcome Spaces will be delivered by third sector and faith-based organisations, as well as Leeds City Council Community Hubs and Libraries. Welcome Space will operate differently, but will all adhere to the Welcome Space Charter & Principles below:
Welcome Space Charter - Keeping people safe is the most important part of the Welcome Space offer. We expect that every organisation will have the following key things in place before they open their doors:
- A warm, welcome, and safe space
- Up-to-date Safeguarding Policy
- Public Liability Insurance
- Up-to-date risk assessment
- Staff/volunteers with basic knowledge of local signposting
Principles for a Welcome Space
- Offers free or pay as you feel basic refreshments e.g. tea and coffee
- Provides some activities or socialising opportunities for people to engage with
- Has staff or volunteers that are available to greet and help ensure people feel comfortable
In addition to the existing comprehensive offer available at sites including free Wi-Fi, books/newspapers, board games, signposting etc, free hot drinks will be available as well as winter coats (selected sites) via the ZWL Winter Coat Appeal.
By Friday 17th November
Organisations offering Welcome Spaces will be listed on Leeds Directory and a map of Welcome Spaces will be available. The exact date that each Welcome Space provision begins is likely to vary depending on the individual organisation.
Zero Waste Leeds – Winter Coat Appeal 2023/24
Alongside Welcome Spaces, the Leeds Winter Coat Appeal, coordinated by Zero Waste Leeds aims to collect and redistribute donations of great quality, second-hand winter coats. This year the appeal will run from Monday 16th October to the end February 2024.
Requested items:
- Coats for adults, children, and babies
- Waterproofs
- Fleeces
- Baby cot sleeping bags
- Snow suits for babies and young children
- Pram footmuffs to keep babies and children warm in their prams and buggies
- Hats, scarves, and gloves
Selected Community Hubs, Libraries, Welcome Spaces, and community groups (list TBC) will be operating as distribution and collection points. Find out more about ZWL Winter Coat Appeal.
Welcome Spaces FAQ
When will Welcome Spaces start & end?
Leeds City Council Community Hubs and Libraries will begin their Welcome Spaces offer on Monday 30th October. Third Sector and Faith based Welcome Spaces will start their offers at different times depending on the individual organisation, however it is intended that provisions will be open by no later than Friday 17th November. (We anticipate the scheme will end March 2024.)
Where customers find information about Welcome Spaces, and will there be a map?
Customers can find out more about Welcome Spaces on Together Leeds. A map of Welcome Spaces will be hosted on Home | Leeds Directory.
Will there be promotional materials?
Yes, promotional materials (including posters/prints) will be available on the Cost of Living - Google Drive
Further information: If you need additional information or have a question about Welcome Spaces, please contact: [email protected]