Places of Welcome is a fresh initiative to combat loneliness and social isolation which has been launched in Bradford and will roll out across our diocese.
As plans for doctors to prescribe activities such as dancing classes for the elderly were announced as part of a "loneliness strategy", Mark Waddington, Social Engagement Officer for the diocese, notes that the church has provided support and companionship for generations.
"The Government's drive to deal with loneliness and isolation comes at a time when there is increased pressure on local services, particularly those that cater for the most vulnerable and isolated," said Mark.
"At particular stages of life, feelings of loneliness and isolation can be a particular problem - people displaced from their home, those going through the asylum process, single parents struggling to look after young children, those facing disability issues, the bereaved, the unemployed and the retired to name but a few.
"Over the last year Wellsprings Together, a joint venture between the Anglican Diocese of Leeds and the Church Urban Fund has been piloting a scheme in Bradford called Places of Welcome.
"The Places of Welcome network is a national initiative which draws together churches, community organisations and other faith groups to develop safe spaces for people to belong and relate well to one another.
"Typically a Place of Welcome will be a volunteer-led drop-in centre which provides an opportunity to meet other people, have some free food, drinks and a chat.
"Churches and other community groups have been doing this kind of thing for generations but this new network will provide support for those running Places of Welcome or wanting to open new ones.
"Working in partnership with local authorities and service providers, Places of Welcome can also be places of provision as well as hospitality.
"Reducing loneliness makes good economic sense - with one in four people experiencing poor mental health interventions like the Places of Welcome can help take pressure off the National Health Service.
"As well as Places of Welcome, Wellsprings Together also supports school holiday clubs which help get parents and their children out of the home and engaged with their local community.
"One mother I spoke to said her sanity had been restored when she was able to meet other local people at the holiday club. She said her hyperactive son had learned to cook and was now feeding the family healthy food," said Mark, pictured right.
Places of Welcome and other projects which bring different parts of the community together will be part of the new five year strategy for the Diocese of Leeds which aims to see confident Christians, growing churches and transforming communities.
Emily Tidball of Faithful Neighbours also works on the project and added:
"We currently have 20 Places of Welcome and over the last few months I've visited most and received fantastic welcomes.
"I've been surprised at how each one is different but how they have become an important part of the lives of the visitors.
"In one Place of Welcome I met a someone whose husband had died a few months ago. She didn't go to church, but was invited to the Place of Welcome and felt so supported that she's been nearly every week since.
"Another Place of Welcome brought together a group of women who had never met but formed strong friendships and went away on holiday together over the summer."
If you would like to know more about the Places of Welcome Network please email mark.waddington@leeds.anglican.org or Emily Tidball the Places of Welcome co-ordinator emily.tidball@faithfulneighbours.org.uk
You can also visit www.placesofwelcome.org.uk