Places of Welcome
We're delighted to say that our Places of Welcome network across the Black Country, Staffordshire and northern Shropshire are starting to reopen, in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions!
First published 29th May 2019 / Updated 30th May 2022
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
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.
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.
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
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 🎥
Related Articles
"Volunteering at the Place of Welcome is one of my favourite things to do. The hustle and bustle that goes on makes your heart want to burst. It doesn't seem like an effort...it's blissful...amazing!"