‘We think it’s a practical way of responding to the cost of living crisis’ 

At least 240 Baptist churches have registered their buildings as warm spaces this winter.
 
Many have teamed up with other local churches and other organisations to offer the provision to their communities. Several are extending what they already do, such as their coffee mornings, Renew Wellbeing cafes, foodbanks or toddler groups 

 

‘Like many churches, we have been challenged to see how we can help people in our community during this winter,’ said Phil Hibbert, minister of Bethel Baptist Church in Llantwit Major, Glamorgan.

Since July the church has spoken with organisations and churches in the town about how it could co-ordinate provision in a way that offers a space throughout the week, but allows each to have its own unique flavour. The result is a joint campaign with consistent branding. In this way Bethel knows there are at least five warm spaces available across the week it can direct people to.
 
The church itself has set up what it calls “Warm Wednesdays”, which runs directly after school pick up times and also when the foodbank (which is hosted at Bethel) finishes.  
 
‘The warm space is just that,’ explains Phil. ‘A relaxed, warm environment.’  
 
Running from 3:15pm - 5pm there are hot drinks, snacks, toys, an area for homework to be done. Phil says they have tried to keep it as open as possible in terms of what we offer ‘because we want those who attend to tell us what they need, rather than us assuming.’  
 
‘I think that it will evolve in time,’ he continues. ‘Most of our volunteers attend Bethel and one of the key points on our vision statement is to “love our neighbours near ands far.” We very much see this as an outworking of that.’
 
The church has also registered its Renew Wellbeing Cafe as a warm space. This is slightly different in that the broad structure of the cafe - a quiet space with prayer at the beginning and end - will not change.    
 
‘We just felt it is an activity that lends itself to being warm space too,’ says Phil. ‘I think it has also made us consider how we can use already established activities in a way that it warm and welcoming. For example, a kids club could double as a warm space for parents.  
 
‘We have a lovely lounge in our office building and we could offer that for parents to use during the club. They could just relax there, do work if they needed. There is a facility for teas and coffee.  
 
‘Overall I am excited to see how all of this develops. It certainly feels like Renew is seeing more people, and having literally just opened "Warm Wednesday,” time will only tell.’
 
 

‘It truly models being alongside those most in need just as Jesus would have’

Little Stoke Baptist Church in Bristol opened its warm space last week. As a small church it didn't have the resources to staff it and so decided to open on days it was already in the building. On a Wednesday this means creating a space while a Bible study is in another room, while on a Thursday the church is extending its regular coffee morning to include a simple lunch of soup and bread.
 
They sourced some furniture second hand and set up a cosy lounge space ‘where people can relax, play games, read a book, do a jigsaw or just chat over a cuppa,’ explained minister Tania Vaughan.
 
‘Everything is offered for free and we are still trying to get the word out.
 
‘What we quickly realised from the few that did come the first week is that although they came for practical warmth, they talked about loneliness.
 
‘The warmth that warm spaces really offer is not from the radiators but from being with others or having one meal where they don't eat alone.
 
‘It truly models being alongside those most in need just as Jesus would have.’
 

 
Working in partnership appears to be a key theme for Baptist churches. Thatcham Baptist Church is collaborating with two other local churches in the Berkshire town to run a warm space on four days of the week. 
 
At TBC this will work in a couple of different ways. On Mondays the church is extending its existing Renew Wellbeing group to provide a light lunch. On Thursdays the warm space will work alongside the foodbank. 
 
The church states, ‘Our Warm Space is a place for anyone to come and spend some time, to save on heating bills at home. We can offer a warm welcome and some space where you can either socialise with others or do your own thing in peace. We'll have our WiFi for you to use, a few activities around if needed, and free refreshments.’ 
 
‘Why are we doing it?’ says minister David Taylor. ‘Well this morning my Bible reading was the parable of the Good Samaritan – need I say more?’


 
 
John Gaines is a deacon at Bishop Auckland Baptist Church, which is offering a warm, safe space three days a week from 10 to 3pm, with the nearby Methodist Church opening its building on another two days. 

'Both churches offer a warm safe space, internet access, tea and coffee, food, toilets and company,' said John.

'Prior to this, we hosted a community day each Wednesday, where we opened to all in our community, and provided a hot lunch, and a hot sweet, plus as much tea / coffee as required.

'We have used this as the basis for our Warm Space, but only provide a light lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but all the tea and cofee required.

'We have received a grant from Durham County Council, to assist with the energy costs, and I believe the Methodist Church have also received funding.'

He explained that on the first day, Tuesday 1 November, 18 people attended. Some stayed a short time, others for as long as they could, but 'all availed themselves of the food and hot drinks provided, and the warmth.' They ages ranged from children to a 90 year old.

'Board games, paper and crayons, and books are all available,' John continued. 'But most people just want the hot drinks, the food, the warmth, and company.

'Is this not what Jesus would have done? He fed the hungry. He protected the vulnerable, and showed His love to everyone. Here, all are welcome.'

For Haddon Hall Baptist Church in Bermondsey, south London, partnership involves building on a good relationship with a local bakery. Haddon Hall is offering its building as a warm space every Wednesday morning from 10-12, and the bakery has kindly given free pastries and bread to give away. 
 
‘We thought it was a practical way of responding to the cost of living crisis,’ says minister Phil Metcalf, ‘and, as a small church, we decided to do what we could on a trial basis until the end of the cold weather.
 
‘At our first warm space event, no one came inside, so we took the refreshments outside (it wasn’t very cold!) and had some very good conversations with local people.
 
‘Our second event was last week. This time a number of people came and took advantage of free drinks and food. Again, we had several good conversations with local people.
 
‘We see it as our mustard seed contribution to the community.’
 

The Abbey Centre Baptist Church in Northampton is working closely with the parish council. Both are providing hot drinks and company, with the church open on Mondays from 11am to around 4pm, and the parish council space available on Wednesdays.
 
It's still early days, noted minister Sarah Bingham, and the provision will depend on who comes. 'If it is parents with small children, we will get toys out; if it is people needing space to work, we will direct them to a warm room with tables and sockets; if it is adults who want to chat, we will provide volunteers to talk.'

She added, 'Our hope is that if demand increases, we will be able to signpost provision elsewhere for other days, or if there are slots not covered, find volunteers (perhaps amongst attendees) who will help us open up for extra periods too.

'During Advent, a community volunteer and I will be offering hour-long Advent Craft sessions for an hour each Tuesday, 12.30-1.30pm. This extends the time from when Community Fridge is open and will, hopefully, enable attendees to make their own nativity set.'
 

Shipley Christians Together (SCT), a grouping of churches of several denominations in Shipley, Saltaire and Windhill in Yorkshire, has launched a joint programme of offering warm spaces until Easter in churches across the district.
 
The full scheme began operating at the start of November and includes a range of daytime meeting points with warm space, hot drinks, lunchtime snacks, games, newspapers, mobile recharging services and people to socialise with.
 
The church leaders in the area decided to co-operate together and to work with Shipley Town Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council to offer safe, secure and positive environments for those struggling with heating their own homes.
 
The Warm Spaces initiative of SCT comes into place alongside the provision of food through the Bradford North Foodbank, which has distribution points at Christchurch, Windhill and Shipley Baptist Church. SCT also operates a Christians Against poverty Debt Advice Centre at Northcliffe Local Ecumenical Partnership.
 
Keith Jones, one of the leadership team at Shipley Baptist Church and part of the SCT leadership group, said, 'We are very concerned that people in the Shipley area should be supported with warm spaces, accessible cheap and free food and debt support during this difficult winter.
 
'Whilst churches are at the forefront of offering these services with love and compassion, we are not restricting the offers in any way. We remain anxious to respond to community need.'
 

Is your church offering a warm welcome space this winter? Do register at warmwelcome.uk. The website lists more than 3,000 registered organisations that have opened or are opening up free, warm, welcoming spaces for the public over this winter across the UK. At least 240 of these are Baptist churches, according to the Warm Welcome Campaign
 
The Warm Welcome Campaign is a community response to the cost of living crisis, initiated by ChurchWorks, alongside a number of key partners such as Christians Against Poverty, Stewardship and Edge Ministries

 
Further reading

BUGB Guide to Warm Spaces
If your church is planning to offer a warm space of welcome this winter, please read the guidance which has been drawn up by our Safeguarding Team.
 

Cost of Living Response Fund launched by Stewardship
A new appeal to fundraise for charities and churches providing emergency relief in the face of the cost of living crisis has launched
 

A Torn Safety Net: How the cost of living crisis threatens its own last line of defence
This new Theos report is the culmination of a year–long project exploring how insecurity, both economic and social, is affecting churches, faith groups and local communities.
 

Churches, Warm Centres, and Normalising the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Can we think of how justice needs to firmly hold hands with mercy during the cost-of-living crisis? By Sally Mann, co-minister Bonny Downs Baptist Church (Red Letter Christians UK)
 

Why I hate Warm Banks (and why my church is opening one)
We cannot let people shiver their way through the winter – and we are setting up a warm bank in my church because that is a key part of our Christian calling. But it is abundantly clear that a warm bank is no more a solution to fuel poverty than a foodbank is a solution to food poverty.
 
We cannot therefore shy away from our calling to act for justice. By Paul Morrison (Joint Public Issues Team)
 

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