Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has recorded a video message in support of the UK’s 4,000 Warm Welcome Spaces as they brace for another challenging winter.
With energy prices set to rise by an average of 10%, most households will face increased bills, leaving millions of Britons struggling to stay warm this winter. In response, more Warm Welcome Spaces are being called for to provide both physical warmth and community support across the UK.
Gordon Brown is backing the “Warm Welcome for All 100% Pledge” campaign, which aims to ensure that everyone has access to a Warm Welcome Space nearby. Encouraging others to join the effort, he said: “Join me in taking the Warm Welcome for All 100% Pledge this winter and make every community a warmer, friendlier, and more hopeful place.”
Brown, one of the founding members of the Warm Welcome Campaign, originally helped establish the initiative two years ago to combat the most severe cost-of-living crisis in 75 years. He described Warm Welcome Spaces as a “chain of hope” that stretches across the country and noted their impact, with the campaign now supporting 4.5 million visits across 4,000 locations nationwide.
In his video message, Brown shared the results of the campaign: “Last winter, Warm Welcome Spaces supported an average of 120,000 visitors every week. In our first two years of operation, over 50% of guests said that without these spaces, they would have been at home with the heating off, alone, and in the cold. It wasn’t just the physical warmth that made a difference – these spaces have had a profound impact, reducing isolation and loneliness.”
Brown emphasised the campaign’s future mission: “Today, nearly 2 out of every 3 people are within 30 minutes of a Warm Welcome Space. But that’s not enough. Our new mission is to ensure 100% of the population has access to a Warm Welcome Space within walking distance. And instead of just 1 in 5 people knowing where to find their local space, we want everyone to know what’s available.”
David Barclay, campaign director for the Warm Welcome Campaign, added: “We want everyone to find a place of connection and belonging close to home. That’s why we’re launching the Warm Welcome for All 100% Pledge campaign ahead of another harsh winter. We need everyone to join us, making a personal 100% pledge so that every neighbourhood has a Warm Welcome Space. These spaces are a lifeline to communities. With rising energy prices and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, more people are struggling to make ends meet.”
Barclay pointed to recent findings from Buttle UK’s report on child poverty, noting that “81% of respondents reported experiencing destitution; 81% cannot afford enough gas or electricity for their homes; and 70% cannot afford sufficient food or warm clothing for their families. This winter, more Warm Welcome Spaces are desperately needed, and communities need to know help is just around the corner.”
The Warm Welcome Campaign supports and connects a network of over 4,000 Warm Welcome Spaces and has brought together a growing coalition of partners from the charity, faith, business, government, and philanthropic sectors. Those looking for a local Warm Welcome Space can visit the campaign’s online map.
The Warm Welcome 100% Pledge Campaign aims to ensure that everyone knows how to find their nearest Warm Welcome Space, that every community has a space available, and that these spaces remain accessible and inclusive throughout the year.
Brown concluded: “Join me in taking the ‘Warm Welcome for All 100% Pledge’. Everyone has a role to play, whether as a supporter, volunteer, or funder. Together, we can unlock the power of community and create a more deeply connected society, bringing out the best in Britain.”