St Francis of Assisi warm hub
As winter creeps closer and energy bills soaring, many people will be increasingly worried about how they are going to heat their homes this winter. Some will have to significantly cut the time they have their heating on and others will not be able to switch it on all together. Warm hubs have been set up across the diocese in response to the need for warm places for people to go this winter.
St Peter’s, Hillfields has set up a warm space in the main reception area of the church. The office space on the first floor of the building has now been rented out to local charity, Embrace. The furniture that was in this space, including a number of comfy chairs and coffee tables have been moved to the main reception of the church to create a warm space of welcome for all members of the Hillfields community.
In addition to this, St Peter’s serve a warm community lunch every week after ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) classes which attracts 50 – 60 attendees. Also, in January 2023, from 3.30 – 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Youth Hub will be relaunched. As part of the Youth Hub a warm meal is provided, as it has been identified that due to the level of significant deprivation within the area of Hillfields many children go without an evening meal.
The warm hub at St Francis of Assisi, Radford, is already up and running, with the following activities: a community cafe serving hot drinks, breakfast and lunch; a foodbank; a Social Supermarket; community support; friendship groups; free computer use and wifi Something is being held in the church everyday of the week. Monday – Friday 9am- 3pm.
Saints Nuneaton is a community regeneration project based in the heart of Nuneaton town centre, which works in collaboration with local churches.The Saints café aims to provide affordable food and drinks for all. The café operates a ‘pay it forward’ scheme, where a paying customer can purchase a meal or drink for those who are unable to afford to pay. Pensioners are able to get a breakfast for £1.50 and a breakfast club will soon by launched which will provide young people with a free breakfast pack before school.
Saints, Nuneaton also run a Student Lounge on Tuesdays – Thursday 3 – 5.30pm, where free hot-food and drinks are provided.
Saints, Nuneaton
Last month, the team at Saints have taken delivery of surplus furniture from a local pub which they are using to create more warm space for the local community who are struggling to heat their homes.
Together for Change (TFC) are supporting many of the warm hubs across the diocese including those at St Peter’s and Saints. They have started a crowdfund supported by Aviva UK to raise money to support more warm hubs this winter. Find out more here.
TFC are also liaising with the local councils (Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City, Warwickshire Rural Community council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council) and other church groups, to coordinate the provision of Warm Hubs across the whole diocese.
Many other churches across the diocese are providing warm hubs this winter. In addition to the warm hub’s mentioned above, below is the latest list. More are being added regularly.
Coventry:
St Andrews, Eastern Green
Warm Wednesday, 11am – 2pm. Running in November and December. Tea, coffee, games, soup and chat available.
St Laurence, Foleshill
Currently open at least 2 days a week around the Hope Hub, we offer a weekly hot meal for families at Connect, and we’re hoping to launch an older persons drop in on Fridays in January.
St John the Divine, Willenhall
Monday Stay & Play group with tea & toast, Tuesdays small group breakfast of families, Thursdays WOW women's group with breakfast and a Friday brunch drop in.
St Catherine’s, Stoke Aldermoor
Has been running a Food Bank, and this winter will provide a safe warm space for people of all ages.
Risen Christ, Wyken
Aim to open a community café and stay and play group. They already have a Luncheon club for elderly members of their congregation that takes place each week.
Warwickshire:
St Peter’s, Wellesbourne
Wednesday Welcome in the Church Centre. 10.30am – 1pm every Wednesday. Starting 16th November.
Tea/coffee with homemade cake or biscuits from 10.30 to 12 and then soup, roll, butter/margarine and cheese from 12 to 1 pm.
St Oswald's, Rugby
Tuesdays 10.45am to 1pm.
Aimed at adults, but all welcome. Connexions Drop-In with optional lunch. Tea/Coffee, games, occasional speakers.
Parking, accessible toilets, food available, hot drinks.
St Michael & All Angels, Stockton
Warm space – Sunday afternoons until 5pm, Monday all day from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday afternoon until 5pm. Free hot drinks.
St John’s, Kenilworth
Warm space between 12 and 2pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
St Paul’s, Leamington
Warm space on Mondays (starting 14th November) from 3.30 – 6pm.
St Michael's, Bishops Itchington
Warm space every afternoon 1-30 -3.30pm.
St Nichols, Radford Semele
Warm space on Monday 9.30am -12noon, Tuesday 12noon - 3.30pm, Thursday 1 am - 3.30pm (with diy crafts from 2pm) and Friday 2-3.30pm.
St George’s Rugby
St George’s will be providing a warm space with hot meal on Sunday 13th November and fortnightly thereafter from 4pm.
St Michael’s Church, Budbrooke
Hosts their community café ‘Open Door’. This also includes weekly groups including parents and children’s groups. There are also drop-in sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays, which operate on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis.
St Edmund's, Shipston
Warm hub every Wednesday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Comfy chairs, newspapers, toys, loos and a kettle always on.
Further details about these venues, including addresses is contained on this website: www.warmwelcome.uk/find-a-space