Connecting communities in Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent—one pub at a time

Warm Welcome Spaces come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes in the most weird and wonderful places. In the small town of Penkhull in Stoke-on-Trent, your nearest Warm Welcome Space is not in a library, church, or community center; instead, you’ll find it in a pub! Proof that you can create a warm, welcoming, and safe space anywhere.

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Luke and Jess Owen have a shared passion for bringing communities closer together to create meaningful change. They created the Owen Project to combat isolation and improve well-being locally. They hope that, over time, they will create a real movement for good and a legacy that they can pass on to their young son.

Luke and Jess say,

“Our mission is simple: to understand the unique needs of our local area and create spaces where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and supported. Whether it’s a family-friendly event, a chance to connect with others, or a place to find support, we’re here to make a real difference—together.”

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Their simple idea is based around getting people talking again. They want to create a connected village where people feel supported and valued. They live in the small Penkhull community in Stoke-on-Trent. Luke says that it used to be the kind of community where everyone knew each other, but over time things have changed, especially since the pandemic. The community was crying out for a place where people could meet and connect, but there was no central place to do it.

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Luke loves to talk and has a knack for making connections and making things happen. He got talking to the landlord of The Terrace Inn Pub, now registered as a Warm Welcome Space. Luke has the power of persuasion, and now the Terrace Inn hosts a Warm Welcome drop-in coffee morning every week. Jess secured some funding for a coffee machine and supplies so guests can pop in for a free hot drink and natter. As Jess says,

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“As soon as you start mingling and chatting, you begin to feel much happier.”

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They are passionate about removing barriers and addressing stigma, especially around poverty. Their experience shows that turning their local pub into a Warm Welcome Space really helps to address stigma. And it’s all about helping people feel wanted and valued. Jess is always at the door, welcoming people in with a big smile and a chat.

Luke and Jess are thinking big; so far, they have helped two local pubs register as Warm Welcome Spaces. With the Terrace Inn and the Greyhound Inn signed up, they now hope to add the Beehive and The Marquis of Granby to the list, bringing Penkhull and the surrounding area closer together, step by step, pub by pub.

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The Owen Project is now a registered Community Interest Company and has started to raise funds to keep the project going. They have already secured funding from the local council, and donations are coming in bit by bit. The team has a saying, “Use what you’ve got and don’t waste anything!” It’s a method they employ to make the most of resources. The Owen Project has teamed up with their local Salvation Army, who have kindly donated crockery and other bits and pieces that they can use at their coffee mornings.

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Over time, the Owen Project has blossomed. They now have 14 volunteers and a growing network of guests of all ages, from teenagers to people in their 80s. “Numbers are growing every week; people start bringing their friends and neighbours, and it’s turning into a vibrant community. We’ve got a “buddy” system, so people can look out for each other too.”

What started as a regular coffee morning has turned into a multi-layered community programme of weekly events.

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“People love crafting, so we now have a ‘Potters, Pearlers, and Crafts Group,’ a Table Top Games group, quiz night, volunteer run writers group on Tuesdays, and there’s even a session on crafting with sea glass and pebbles.”

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Digital inclusion is important to the Owen Project too; they know that lots of their guests aren’t online, so they make sure that they spread the word via local businesses, supermarkets, and by putting up posters in the local community. Thanks to a genius donation of ten laptops, they also run an Internet cafe to help guests get online, fill out forms, write CVs, or apply for jobs and benefits.

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The Owen Project is a small but mighty team with very big dreams. Connecting communities across Stoke-on-Trent, one pub at a time.

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You can find out more about The Owen Project here.

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