In Kind Direct and Warm Welcome renew their partnership

In Kind Direct and Warm Welcome have renewed their partnership to support people struggling to keep warm over the winter.

The partnership will provide essential products to support more than 19,750 people a week and deliver at least £375,000 in savings for community organisations.

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This includes products that help community spaces keep their services running and help support the people using them, from cleaning supplies and kitchenware to tea, coffee, warm clothing, bedding, blankets, personal hygiene products and pet food.

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Which comes at a time when more than 23% of Warm Welcome Campaign’s community spaces report difficulties paying energy and utility bills amidst rising energy costs.

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Polling of Warm Welcome Spaces nationwide showed that over the last year more than one in five spaces (23%) reported facing difficulties paying for energy and utility bills.

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Looking to the coming winter, over half (52%) of Warm Welcome Spaces say they are worried about the impact the rising energy crisis will have on them.

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Against this backdrop, In Kind Direct and the Warm Welcome Campaign are joining forces for a second year to support more than 250 community spaces across the UK through the colder months, helping them access essential products while reducing the cost of keeping their services running.

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As more people face difficult choices around household bills and staying warm, community spaces are playing an increasingly important role in providing warmth, connection and practical support.

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United by a shared belief that everyone should have access to warmth, belonging and connection, this year the partnership aims to:

• Bring warmth, dignity and connection to at least 19,750 people a week, by providing community spaces with products that reflect the diverse needs of the people they support.

• Save more than £375,000 for over 250 community spaces, helping them continue running their activities and services throughout winter.

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The campaign builds on the success of last year’s partnership, which supported more than 201 Warm Welcome Spaces and delivered almost £302,000 in savings for community organisations that could be redirected to their services and community activities.

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Across 2025/26, Warm Welcome Spaces welcomed around 3.5 million guest visits, providing people with somewhere to come together, stay connected and access practical support.

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There is strong public demand for this kind of support, too. Seven in 10 people in the UK believe Warm Welcome Spaces could help them or others in their community cope with rising costs, while 80% say they could help people spend time with others in their community.*

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For families already feeling the squeeze, rising household costs can mean difficult choices between essentials. Turning down the heating, stretching meals further or going without everyday products can all become a reality. The organisations supporting these communities are facing financial pressures of their own, with energy and supply costs making it harder to provide vital services.

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The campaign will help ease some of this pressure by giving community organisations access to essential products including cleaning supplies, kitchenware, tea and coffee, warm clothing, bedding, blankets, personal hygiene products and pet food.

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These products will support both the spaces themselves and the people who rely on them, helping organisations create warm, welcoming and dignified environments while reducing the cost of essential supplies. Seasonal products, including Christmas gifts, will also help create moments of connection for people who may otherwise struggle to afford presents for loved ones.

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Last winter, community organisations reported that access to essential products helped them support people experiencing financial hardship, while enabling them to create more welcoming and dignified spaces for their communities.

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Charlotte Davies, CEO, Swansea MAD, a community space supported by In Kind Direct and the Warm Welcome Campaign last year, said: “Having these items available has reduced anxiety for guests who were worried about affording hygiene products, and it has helped us make our Warm Welcome space feel more inclusive, respectful and practically supportive for people facing financial hardship.”

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A representative for West Heath Community Centre, which welcomes over 1,000 local community visitors every week to classes, Warm Welcome spaces, group sessions and other events, said: “We see some of the most vulnerable people in the community [come through our doors. We run] free community brunch on Sundays, provide free tea, coffee and biscuits twice a week, [and host] other sessions offering social inclusion and friendship. These products will help numerous people, giving them something to make them smile or help them out. Thank you for helping us help them.”

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Michael Gidney, CEO of In Kind Direct, said: “Local charities and community spaces continue to be a lifeline for families in need across the country; offering people essential items, warm spaces and a sense of community during trying times.

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“We know that winter is an incredibly tough time for communities across the UK, with rising energy and living costs. We’ve partnered with the Warm Welcome Campaign because we understand how important it is to support the frontline organisations that are working tirelessly to meet the growing local demand. By providing them with the essential products they need to support families, we can help free up wider financial resources that can instead be used for heating, community events, and more.

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“And we’ve heard first-hand what a big difference these products make to the lives of those receiving them. From reducing the anxiety of having to go without, to giving people a sense of dignity, belonging and confidence. Because behind every product donated is a story of hope.”

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David Barclay, Warm Welcome Campaign Director, said: “We're proud to partner with In Kind Direct to help Warm Welcome Spaces continue providing warmth, connection and belonging to those who need it most. Our partnership will make an enormous difference to Warm Welcome Spaces and the communities they support.

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“At a time of rising costs, accessing In Kind Direct’s products will greatly reduce the financial burden, enabling spaces to access everyday essentials like tea, food, warm clothing and hygiene products; products that will benefit both spaces and their guests, especially through the challenging winter months.”

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In Kind Direct and Warm Welcome Spaces are calling for support to help community organisations remain strong through the winter and beyond.

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If your business can donate products this winter, whether they’re surplus or something more planned, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact us at donations@inkinddirect.org.

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*Source: Omnibus Polling data – April 2026

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