Places of Welcome
TNT is pleased to work with the national Places Of Welcome Network as the Notts Area Coordinator. It is a growing network of local community groups providing their neighbourhoods with places where all people feel safe to belong, connect and contribute.
There are currently 49 places of Welcome (PWs) in Nottinghamshire (500 plus nationally). Although having to close in person during the pandemic, many of these are now reopening and ready to welcome their communities in need of a connection and a cuppa.
Places of Welcome can be in any location including churches, mosques, temples, community centres or housing associations. We are thrilled to be working with libraries across the county and also fantastic churches of all denominations as we all continue to establish our 'new normal'.
Places of Welcome have the potential to be a great access point for people in our communities to receive signposting support onto other services that may be able to meet any needs they have.
'What is a Place of Welcome?' Workshops
If you are looking for way to connect with your community that's enjoyable, impactful and sustainable then Places of Welcome are for you!
It's a weekly opportunity for you to host a safe welcoming place that's open to everyone serving free refreshments (you can have a donation pot) in your church or church hall where folks can gather build community, share skills, resources and friendship.
If you would like Julia to run a workshop with your church organisation, email your interest to Julia@transformingnottstogether.org.uk to arrange a time!
Setting Up a New Place of Welcome
For each Place of Welcome, the support from Transforming Notts Together varies, but it follows the following steps:
Step 1- Initial contact- this may be through an existing contact, or someone from the church or venue may contact us to find out more
Step 2- Initial conversation- with the interested person/ people in person if possible
Step 3- Facilitated interactive workshop with potential coordinator and volunteers to consider what their PW might look like, what factors they need to consider and how they are going to invite people
Step 4- Visit an existing PW
Step 5- Gather local information- volunteers find out what else is going on locally and put together some signposting info to have available.
Step 6- Visits and support for the first session and several visits over the first few months, offering any support for example with activity/ craft ideas, how to overcome any hurdles.
Step 7/ on-going- Coordinator meetings- a lower level of support through meetings and contact with other PW coordinators. TNT is available for further support on a case by case basis if requested from the PW and may also offer other strands of TNT work for example Cash smart, credit savvy or ‘getting started’ workshops. The PW may also connect in with their local Faith Action network if there is one locally.
The 5 Ps of Welcoming
Each Place of Welcome is open to anyone and each one follows the following values (5 P's):
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: Recognises that every person coming to a Place of Welcome will bring talents, experiences and skills that they might be willing to share locally.
Transforming Notts Together can offer support to existing projects who would like to explore joining the network, or places wishing to set one up. We also coordinate a map of over 100 churches across the county who are opening their doors to the local community:
To read about a current Place of Welcome, and how they have adapted to Covid-19, see our impact page.
If you’d like to find out more about Places of Welcome or putting Please get in touch with Julia Terry.
