Celebrating Warm Welcome Week 2026
Keeping Our Communities Warm, Well and Connected
Warm Welcome Week is here! The national campaign shines a light on the thousands of Warm Welcome Spaces across the UK and the remarkable difference they make to people’s lives.
At Norfolk Community Foundation, we’re proud to champion the incredible groups across our county who open their doors each winter to offer warmth, friendship, and support to anyone who needs it.
Starting Warm Welcome Week on BBC Radio Norfolk
To kick off the week, our colleague Adam joined Chris Goreham on BBC Radio Norfolk to talk about warm spaces.
Adam explained that warm spaces are welcoming places where anyone can drop in to keep warm, enjoy a hot drink, and find company during the colder months. With energy and food costs still placing pressure on households, these spaces have become a vital lifeline for many. He also encouraged listeners to visit warmwelcome.uk to find their nearest warm space and discover the support available.
Importantly, Adam emphasised that warm spaces are for everyone. Whether someone is struggling with bills, feeling isolated, or simply wants to meet others in their community, warm spaces offer a safe, friendly environment. They can often connect people to wider support services, too.
Our Commitment to Warm Spaces in Norfolk
Between 2022 and 2025, Norfolk Community Foundation ran the Community Hot-Spots Fund, offering grants of up to £2,000 to help groups launch new warm spaces. We’re incredibly proud that many of these spaces have now become self-sustaining, continuing to support their communities year after year.
For winter 2025/26, we invited groups to apply for Love Norfolk funding to host warm spaces and winter activities designed to keep people warm, well and connected. We’re delighted to have funded 10 fantastic projects through this programme, with each one helping to strengthen community resilience during the colder months.
Case Study: Warm Welcome Space Champions for East Anglia
One of the standout stories this year comes from Thrive at the Fen, a warm space that has been running for the past two years. Thrive approached the Foundation for support last year, and their dedication has now been recognised nationally.
Heidi and Sarah Jane, who run both Thrive and The Pantry Kenninghall, have been named Warm Welcome Space Champions for East Anglia. Their commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive environment for local people truly embodies the spirit of Warm Welcome Week.
Thanks to Love Norfolk funding, Thrive continues to offer a weekly warm space where people can enjoy a cooked meal, hot drinks, and companionship
Heidi told us:
“Thanks to funding, we’ve been able to offer a weekly warm place for people to come, enjoy friendship, have a nice cooked meal, hot drinks, and just be with other people.”
Sarah Jane added:
“We are one of the only rural Warm Welcome Space Champions in the UK, which is a reminder that people face challenges and hardship in rural areas as well as in towns and cities. We’re proud to be part of this national campaign.”
Their story highlights something we see every day: warm spaces don’t just keep people warm, but help people feel seen, supported, and part of a community.
Together, we’re helping Norfolk stay warm, well and connected this winter.
