Gordon Brown named as Founding Patron for the Warm Welcome Campaign

The Warm Welcome Campaign has announced the Rt Hon. Gordon Brown as its Founding Patron. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was one of the founding members of the Warm Welcome Campaign, initially set up two years ago in response to the worst cost-of-living crisis in 75 years. Gordon Brown calls Warm Welcome Spaces a “chain of hope” stretching across the UK and says the Warm Welcome Campaign has already become one of the most successful community initiatives, supporting on average 120,000 guests every week in Warm Welcome Spaces across the country.

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The Warm Welcome Campaign resources, connects, and champions a network of more than 4,500 Warm Welcome Spaces and brings together a growing coalition of local, regional, and national partners representing the worlds of charity, faith, business, government, and philanthropy.

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In the first two years of Warm Welcome’s operation, Gordon Brown says:

“What we have found is that over 50% of guests said that without the spaces, they would have been at home with the heating off—and thus alone and in the cold. And they told us it wasn't just the physical warmth that made a difference—these spaces had a profound impact, reducing their isolation and loneliness. They offered not just the warmth of heating, but the warmth of friendship.”

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This week, as temperatures drop below freezing and gas and electricity charges soar, Warm Welcome Spaces—places you can go to heat yourself up—are opening all over the country.

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Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown continues:

“As Christmas approaches, the Warm Welcome Campaign, is stepping up its offer of the warmth of both heating and friendship and is part of a chain of hope being created across the UK to support people to live with heating and with companionship. In the last month, more than 500 new Warm Welcome Spaces have been created, and we invite people to join one near them to support good neighbourliness. We want our Warm spaces to be available not far from everyone’s doorstep and we want people to join with us to grow out networks and make sure that there’s a Warm Welcome for All.“

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“Everyone has a role to play. You can all do something to help as supporters or partners—whether as the provider of spaces, the volunteer at the spaces, or the funder of the spaces. I am humbled and honoured to work with such a dedicated team at Warm Welcome and congratulate everyone on the way they are putting their hearts as well as heat into their communities.”

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“By continuing to work together, we can drive out the worst of Britain by bringing out the best in Britain, unlocking the power of community, and creating a more deeply connected society, made by and for everyone.”

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David Barclay, Warm Welcome Campaign Director, says:

“We are so thrilled to welcome Gordon Brown as our Founding Patron. Gordon has been at the heart of Warm Welcome since day one. Faced with the worst cost-of-living crisis in 75 years, it was Gordon’s drive and passion to do something to help that inspired the Warm Welcome Campaign. He had the vision of equipping and supporting local community spaces to open their doors and provide warmth and welcome to all in need.”

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“Since our early beginnings, Gordon has been a stalwart supporter, working tirelessly to raise awareness and garner support so Warm Welcome Spaces can thrive and be sustainable places in every community. Gordon’s support for these spaces and their volunteers is inspirational. As Gordon says, they are a Chain of Hope stretching across the country, bringing light and human warmth into what would otherwise be a truly dark season for so many.”

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