We’re Here Network & Warm Welcome Spaces
Many Churches in this area are opening their doors to offer community activities or a Warm Welcome Space during the current cost of living crisis. These facilities at the heart of each community provide material and spiritual support and hope to anyone but especially to the most vulnerable in our neighbourhood every week.
The need for such venues goes beyond the cold winter months and several of these churches have now started to work together facilitated by the team at Faithworks. They have agreed to create a new provision for the community with the following simple vision: “Churches and Christians working together across BCP providing safe places to prayerfully offer Practical help, Positive relationships, and Purposeful activities across the week.”
We have named this the We’re Here Network:
When you feel no one understands, you are not sure who cares, when you don’t know which way to turn, we’re here. When you are struggling to pay the bills, you feel lonely, you’re homeless or you’re hungry, we’re here.
The network has the following aims:
- Provide safe welcoming spaces for those facing hard times to find friendship, support and hope all across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole every day of the week.
- Support the valuable work of the volunteers across all denominations through sharing of experiences, resources, coaching sessions and good news stories.
- Link church venues with local referral agencies to bring practical support to those facing a crisis.
Find out more below to see if your church would like to join.
Find a Warm Welcome
Space
A list of Warm Welcome Spaces near you or information on how to register your venue can be found below.
To find out more about the We’re Here Network please contact Sabine on 07395 069056 or email* using the contact form below.
*Please select We’re Here Network & Warm Welcome Spaces from the drop down menu.
Setting up a Safe Welcome Space
Getting Started
Our vision at Faithworks is for everyone to be within 15 minutes of a place of support, friendship and help. We are excited to see churches opening their doors to provide a safe space, run a community café, or host activities for families or specific groups of individuals.
We would love to come alongside you to explore how your venue can make a big difference in your neighbourhood and how the We’re Here Network can support your efforts.
Contact Sabine by calling 07395 069056 or via the contact form below (please select We’re Here Network & Warm Welcome Spaces from the drop down menu).
Local Knowledge
As more people come through our doors who struggle with life’s challenges, churches want to be prepared so they can offer immediate support.
Each church in the We’re Here Network receives a Local Knowledge pack with signposting links around food, energy, housing, money, mental health, addiction and more.
We also offer signposting training for church volunteers so they feel confident in coming alongside the guest at their venues – there is a summary below.
Enhancing & Sustaining
Church venues play a vital role in creating safe, caring communities where everybody can find a listening ear and practical support in their time of need. The network recognises the value in supporting each other’s efforts to ensure they are sustainable long term and meet the needs of those who come to us.
- Volunteer Team Coaching: we offer ongoing coaching to enable volunteer teams to maintain high standards of good practice, awareness and skills to be the best they can be at welcoming and befriending guests.
- Map of Church Venues: we are creating a map of the network of churches and their safe spaces, to help coordinate provision across the BCP area.
- Sharing Resources: we collate information about local initiatives, courses, funding opportunities, news articles and success stories to ensure venues are equipped most efficiently.
- Prayer Support: our efforts will only bear lasting fruit through God’s love, wisdom and provision. As part of the We’re Here Network there are regular opportunities to pray for each other and those visiting our venues.
