First published 29th May 2019 / Updated 15th May 2023

What are 'Places of Welcome'?

Places of Welcome are a growing network of local community groups providing their neighbourhoods with places where all people feel safe to connect, belong and contribute

Where is my nearest 'Places of Welcome'?

Transforming Communities Together currently have two, dedicated Place of Welcome Facilitator's, covering the Black Country, Stafffordshire and Northern Shropshire. Simpley click on the area below to find your nearest Place of Welcome and come along!

The Black Country

Including surrounding areas

Staffordshire and Northern Shropshire

Including surrounding areas

Impact

TCT staff support a network of Places of Welcome across the Black Country, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and northern Shropshire. Each venue has at least one coordinator and a team of volunteers.

TCT staff advise and provide support on:

• set up / reopening
• publicity
• volunteers
• hospitality

They also create peer networks for coordinators to learn together and from each other.

Start your own Place of Welcome

TCT is proud to work with Together Network and Near Neighbours colleagues across the country to help groups become Places of Welcome and to promote the network.

We aim to create a movement of welcome and hospitality for all. Interested to find out more about Places of Welcome, or want help setting one up?

Please get in touch with one of our team to find out more!

Places of Welcome is now using a new link to its electronic registration application: https://cuf.tfaforms.net/f/pofw

Please get in touch with one of our team to find out more!

Places of Welcome all share 5 values, that all begin with ‘P’

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

Every person will bring talents, experiences and skills that they may be willing to share locally

Stories!

It's wonderful for our staff to be out and about visiting Places of Welcome again and hearing all the great things they have been up to!

Read their regularly updated, inspirational stories here.

Our Partners

We are delighted to be working with a number of partners who support the Places of Welcome network across the Black Country, Staffordshire and northern Shropshire. We are particularly thankful for our funding partners:

• The Community Foundation for Staffordshire
• The Eveson Charitable Trust
• Lichfield District Council
• Walsall for All

Loneliness Awareness Week 2021

As part of #LonelinessAwarenessWeek, our friends from Trent and Dove Housing have made this fab film about their Places of Welcome UK 🎥