Bradford has launched its growing network of Places of Welcome at Bradford’s City Hall today supported by the Bishop of Bradford.
The work is being led locally by a partnership between Bradford Council and Wellsprings Together, a faith-based action group backed by the Anglican Diocese of Leeds.
Places of Welcome is a network of small community organisations, including faith communities, who offer an unconditional welcome to local people for at least a few hours a week.
The primary aim of the network is to create spaces where people can feel safe and belong – a scheme that started in Birmingham and is now developing throughout the country.
Bishop Toby Howarth said: “It can be difficult to join a group of strangers and the added barriers of entering a community of faith based buildings may prevent people accessing the support that could potentially reduce their loneliness.
“We recognise that every person who comes to a Place of Welcome will have their own individual talents, experiences and skills that they can share with others in their neighbourhoods.
“The idea is to create a great support network, led by volunteers, that will help people from whatever background they come from.”
All Places of Welcome around the District will share the same logos so they can be easily recognised. People will start to feel more confident in entering new places because they will know that welcome is guaranteed.
Among the Places of Welcome across Bradford so far are:
Bolton
Wednesdays 3pm to 4.30pm
St James Church,
Bolton Road,
Bolton,
Bradford
BD2 4LH
Clayton
Thursdays 10am to 12noon
The Community Centre
Tanton Walk
Clayton
Bradford
BD14 6HP
Frizinghall
Wednesdays 10.00am to 12.00pm
St Margaret’s Church,
Shipley Fields Road,
Frizinghall,
Bradford, BD18 2DH
Girlington
Tuesdays 10:00 to 12noon
St Philip’s Church,
Thorn Street,
Girlington,
Bradford
BD8 9QW
Manninghan
Mondays 1:00 to 3:00pm
St Paul’s Church
Church Street
Manningham
Bradford
BD8 7LS
Thorpe Edge
Mondays 1pm to 3pm
St John the Divine Church,
Idlethorpe Way,
Thorpe Edge,
Bradford,
BD10 9HX
Wibsey
Mondays 1.00 to 3pm, & Wednesdays 10.30am to 12.30pm
St Paul’s Church,
St Paul’s Avenue,
Wibsey,
Bradford,
BD6 1ST
Wilsden
Open every Friday from 10.00 to 12.00.
St Matthew’s church., Main Street, Wilsden, BD15 0DZ.
Wrose
Wednesdays 12.30 to 3pm
St Cuthbert’s Church
Wrose Road
Bradford
BD2 1LN
http://www.stcuthbertwrose.church/