To be able to support people in Stoke-on-Trent through the cost-of-living crisis, #StokeonTrentTogether has launched the Stronger Together Through Winter campaign. This campaign has brought together organisations across the city to provide a range of support for people in their communities.

Through #StokeonTrentTogether, residents and voluntary organisations can find support on various different subjects. This support comes in many forms and could include financial advice, health and wellbeing support, energy advice, food vouchers, and much more. Stronger Together Through Winter has also created a network of ‘Welcoming Spaces’ to help people through the winter months.

Welcoming Spaces are exactly that – a welcoming place within the community (like a community centre, library, or place of faith) where people can come to access free-of-charge services that could include access to cost-of-living-related support like advice on money, welfare, and mental wellbeing. These services could also include activities and crafts, access to computers, free Wi-Fi and charging points, or just somewhere warm and friendly to socialise with others and have a cup of tea.

There are lots of places included in the Welcoming Spaces Network, but there’s always room for more!

Your welcoming space could be a community café, an exercise or craft club, advice drop-ins, homework sessions, or simply a heated space where people can socialise and be comfortable. It’s easy to set up your own welcoming space, and we’ve made it even easier with our new Welcoming Spaces guide for organisations in Stoke-on-Trent.

With everything you need to know from setting up and accessibility considerations, to funding and volunteering, our welcoming spaces guide will help you to decide on the what, where, when, and how of getting your Welcoming Space going.