You have probably noticed that we have changed our name from Warm Space to Warm Welcome. As our group has grown and evolved, we have found other groups who have also changed their names to Warm Welcome. The name change reflects our work supporting the community, including those who are lonely or suffering from mental health, not just people needing heat and warmth.
Our group has a mixed range of ages from as young as late 40s, up to 80+. This is nice as everyone brings something different to our group. Mostly women but lately has seen an increase in men attending which is BRILLIANT!
We offer a wide range of activities from adult colouring, Quiz books, like sudoku etc. Craft, an ongoing puzzle board, cards and board games are all on the table and enjoyed by many.
Recently we have been enjoying learning a Russian card game called ‘You Fool’, with one of our members, she often brings her friend from Ukraine who she helps interpret for. Another member offers chair exercises, which are very popular.
Other activities include:
- Sitting and having a chat
- Reading the daily newspapers
- Knitting or crochet
- Enjoying a piece of homemade cake and tea/coffee
December update
The month of December was great fun with pass the parcel with a twist that caused a bit of hilarity.
We also had a Christmas cake with a difference. It was Christmas cake decorated half in Blue as it was Johns Birthday on the 22nd and the other half was Pink as Christine one of our regular visitors who has been with us since the start of the group back last January 2023 it was her 80th.
We also did some napkin folding, made a Father Christmas on a stick, a Christmas tree out of an old book pages. As well as other things. Not forgetting the chair exercise with pass the parcel holding forfeits for everyone to join in with and the odd prize.
Our minister John Banks has popped in a couple of times and stayed for most of our last meeting before Christmas. This is lovely as if gives people the chance to meet John. It’s also nice when Church members pop in for a cuppa and a chat with our guests joining in with what’s going on.
We got a Grant of £300 from SMRIN to cover the cost of the Church heating. We were also very Lucky and received a Grant of £1,000 also from SMRIN to help with the cost craft materials for the next year.
If anyone knows of anyone who would come along and share their craft with us, we would love to hear from you. We would be happy to pay for materials.
Our group put together a reverse advent calender between them each bringing in one or two items. They all enjoyed taking part in this.
SMRIN gave us £250 to put together another 5 boxes from them. John and I managed to do the five boxes with money to spare so we were able to fill to overflowing the food bank box that in the Church vestibule.
Warm Welcome has grown from the early days of 3 to 7 people each week to 28 and counting. We have moved into the hall so we can move around better.
As we have grown in size, we are now in desperate need of more help each week as we cannot turn people away from a Warm Welcome group. We need help to set up and pack up, to carry chairs and tables etc. We are of the older age and suffering with back problems, so this isn’t an easy task. You would need to be at the hall by 9.00am prompt. Packing up no earlier or later than 12.30.
We need more help to serve tea/coffee cake etc. to wash up during the morning to make sure clean cups are provided ongoing throughout the morning. Also, people to chat to our guests.
Thank you to the helpers that we have on our rota and those who come to help most weeks. We could not do this without your ongoing help.
This is an amazing group. We love doing this Gods work in our Church but need to feel that we are a team working down here on earth to meet this need.
You have probably noticed that a few of our Warm Welcome people are now attending our Sunday morning worship.
God bless.
Patsy and John
Mortimer Methodist Church 