If you want to set up a welcome space, it's important to make everyone feel welcome, especially those who need it most. A welcome space should be free to use, encourage people to stay as long as they want, and be a friendly, comfortable place where people feel at home.

Guidance on becoming a welcome space

A Warm Welcome – setting up a warm space in your community is a guide created by CILIP and funded by the Martin Lewis charity fund. It provides advice on heating costs, accessibility, and other things to consider when setting up a community space.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy website has tips on how to save energy in your community building.

Tell us about your welcome space

If you run a welcome space and want us to share the details, please contact our Communities Team by emailing communities@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Help with running your community group

If you're a community group, charity, or voluntary organization, the Community Action Network can help you with recruiting, training, and keeping volunteers. They can also help you make sure you have important policies and procedures in place, including safeguarding.

Find funding support

If you need funding support for your welcome space or related projects, sign up for our What Funds newsletter to see what's available and open for applications.