Warm space for everyone?

One of the encouraging things I’ve been seeing in the last few weeks is enthusiasm to help with offering a warm space for people who are worried about putting the heating on at home, or in need of company in these isolating days. It’s very heart-warming. There’s a lot of good will out there.

Like many other community organisations, we’re responding to the cost-of-living crisis by opening our doors, and for me and others, it has already been a great opportunity to meet some new people and enjoy good company. Like other organisations, we’re offering a cup of tea and a chat, and lunch, various activities which will be getting going over the next few weeks; and a listening ear and a pointer to where advice can be had if needed. It’s a bit of an experiment – will people come? Is this what people really need? After all, just because you’re struggling between ‘heating and eating’ doesn’t mean you have time to spare - often it’s the opposite.

We worry that people will feel embarrassed too, about asking for help. But in reality there is no ‘them’ and ‘us’, no divide between those who offer to help and those who need it – everyone has something to give, and if you need help this week and get it, you will be able to help someone else next week. And you don’t have to be ‘in need’ to come along, it really is a space for everyone, and I know the same is true for the other venues.

Another good thing I’ve been reflecting on is that these days it is no longer so difficult to say you are lonely. In the past if you said you were lonely, people would think it was your own fault – perhaps you weren’t very good at making friends, were a bit weird, or there was something else wrong with you. These days though, we recognise that it is usually circumstances that mean people can feel isolated – so many people live on their own for one thing, and working from home, though convenient, doesn’t give the opportunity for the daily human contact that we all need.

Christmas is coming and the build up of activity and perhaps the increasing sense of isolation for those who aren’t busy is on its way too. Christmas is the story of the time when there was ‘no room in the inn’. But it’s also a story of space being offered, to a family who were in need. Whether it’s making room for refugees, or making time for others, it is good to see that despite the troubles of this world, there is a lot of good will out there.

For more information on welcome spaces see the City Council website pages:

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/people-and-communities/welcoming-spaces/find-a-welcoming-space

 and map

https://bcc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4c5e933568424768bd871cea2003da34