Our Place of Welcome – 8:45- 11:00am Tuesday
– including Parents and Tots Play and Stay session
Place 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.
Places of Welcome developed out of the Birmingham Social Inclusion process ‘Giving Hope Changing Lives’, as a response to the question – Is Birmingham a welcoming city?
While Places of Welcome began in Birmingham, it is now developing further afield, as people respond to the challenge to make our cities and neighbourhoods more welcoming.
The network has developed a set of guiding principles, key elements of a Place of Welcome which are known as the 5P’s. These include:
Place: An accessible and hospitable building, open at the same time every week.
People: Open to everyone regardless of their circumstances or situation, and staffed by volunteers.
Presence: A place where people actively listen to one another.
Provision: Offering free refreshments (at least a cup of tea and a biscuit) and basic local information.
Participation: Recognises that every person coming to a Place of Welcome will bring talents, experiences and skills that they might be willing to share locally.
St James Church runs Place of Welcome on Tuesday 8:45 – 11:00am and offers drinks and a variety of snacks to all.
During our Place of Welcome we also provide the opportunity to take part in our Play and Stay activity for Parents and their children, come along and take part in child focussed activities.