Here at the Bowls Development Alliance, we want to shout about the fantastic facilities that bowls clubs have available for people to access this winter. With fewer people eligible for Winter Fuel Payments this year, we think that now more than ever, our bowls clubs can position themselves as real community assets.
Over the next few months, we want to highlight clubs who are open for people to attend; allowing them to benefit from a friendly, safe and warm place to go. Fuel Poverty Awareness Day will also be taking place on the 27th November and so we need your help.
Do you think your club could be a Warm Welcome Space for people to go?
Warm Welcome Spaces are:
Warm
Warm Welcome spaces are heated and able to provide basic refreshments such as tea/coffee.
Welcoming
Warm Welcome spaces are inclusive, non-judgmental spaces where everyone can expect a warm welcome from staff and volunteers.
Free
Warm Welcome spaces will be free to enter. You may want to provide free activities for people to join in with. You may offer free wi-fi but this isn’t mandatory.
Safe
Every organisation setting up a Warm Welcome space will have a safeguarding policy. Organisations make basic signposting information available to people who need further support.
Over 14.4 million people live in poverty in the UK and 7% of people experience chronic loneliness.
Through the collective power of local spaces, Warm Welcome hosted 2 million+ individual visits, while being supported by more than 10,000 volunteers every week.
84% of people said coming to a Warm Welcome Space has helped them feel a stronger sense of belonging to their community.
62% of people in the UK live within a 30-minute walk of a Warm Welcome Space.
If you would like more information about your club becoming a Warm Welcome Space, please fill in your details here and we will be in touch https://bit.ly/3BQA3P0
If your club is already a Warm Welcome Space, and you would like us to share your story, please contact [email protected]