Co-op and Warm Welcome Campaign announce partnership to support ‘warm spaces’ this Winter

As the cost of energy rises for households across the UK, Co-op and the Warm Welcome Campaign have joined together to help grow the number of Warm Welcome Spaces and help people stay warm this winter.

‍

The Warm Welcome Campaign’s vision is to enable a more deeply connected society where everyone has free access to welcoming community spaces and can access support, particularly if they are affected by the cost-of-living crisis and loneliness.

‍

In the two years since it launched, the Warm Welcome Campaign has helped an average 120,000 people a week. There are now 4,000 registered Warm Welcome Spaces of every shape and size, including community centres, libraries, churches, community cafes, arts centres, local businesses, and schools across the UK.

‍

Co-op is today committing to support the Warm Welcome Campaign’s 100% pledge, which will ensure that everyone in the UK can find a Warm Welcome Space within 30 minutes’ walk of wherever they live.

‍

Co-op is one of the first Warm Welcome Campaign partners to take the 100% Pledge and has pledged to:

* Help its members find their local Warm Welcome Space.

* Work with its community partners and local causes to help meet the ambition of having a Warm Welcome Space in every community across the UK, spaces that are accessible and inclusive to all.

* Share its opportunities for funding and other support with organisations that have signed up to being a Warm Welcome Space, to help them stay open all year round.

‍

David Luckin, Coop Head of Community Funding and Partnerships, said: “As temperatures fall, it’s important to remember how vital a warm space is to provide warmth and connection to those facing hardship and struggling to heat their homes this Winter.

‍

“Co-op is proud to be a partner of Warm Welcome Spaces, making a 100% pledge for a Warm Welcome for All so everyone in the UK has free access to much needed welcoming community spaces that bring connection, friendship, and support as well as warmth.  

‍

“Co-op’s unique Local Community Fund enables us to work closely with local community causes who offer warm spaces, and we will encourage them to register with Warm Welcome and share their space on its online map to make it easily accessible for those looking for a place to gather, spend time or get support.”

‍

David Barclay, Campaign Director at Warm Welcome, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Co-op at this crucial moment in the Warm Welcome Campaign’s development. We have a bold ambition to grow the number of Warm Welcome Spaces across the UK and to ensure that everyone has a Space within 30 minutes’ walk of where they live. Co-op’s support will help us achieve that ambition.”

‍

Co-op was the first retailer to launch a £1m ‘warm spaces’ funding boost last year to support vital services and keep UK communities warm. Since 2016 Co-op members have helped raise £138 million for local communities, which includes 40,000 Local Community Fund projects supported.

‍