WOKINGHAM MP Clive Jones dropped in on local Warm Welcome Space, The Well, at Kings Church.
It is a member of the Warm Welcome Campaign, which began as a crisis response to keep people warm through the winter, and which has grown into a movement that brings together individuals and communities for connection and friendship all year round.
Last winter the campaign’s 5,300 spaces around the country hosted 2.6 million visits.
In Wokingham around 80 people each week gather to turn vegetables donated by Share Wokingham into a tasty soup lunch at Kings Church, which they make and eat together.
Everyone is welcomed, and somehow, no matter how many turn up, there is always enough to go round.
Clive was impressed by what he saw.
“Kings Church is a bustling community hub in the heart of Wokingham, and it was a pleasure to show my appreciation for the incredible support its members provide,” he said.
“The Well on Wednesdays is exceptional.
“Every resident that walked through the door was met with a warm smile and a warm meal, no questions asked.”
Wendy and Nigel, founder members of The Well, explained.
“They were called Warm Spaces because they offered heated rooms, but what people actually experience is a very warm welcome.
“Loneliness is a huge problem in this country – it’s a hidden epidemic – and here at The Well we’re meeting that need.
“We often feed around 80 people, but well over a 100 come into the building.”
Some come to pick up fresh food from the Share table, others come for lunch, and a third group of older residents arrive in time for afternoon tea and cake.
It takes 20 or 30 volunteers to make The Well happen each week.
“But we don’t see ourselves as volunteers, “ laughed Wendy.
“We’re all part of a team, and everyone just dives in where they see a need.
As people gather downstairs, another group is also filling Kings Church with laughter and activity.
Crafting Smiles is a crochet group of women from the Hong Kong community, founded just over a year ago by businesswoman Ron from Hong Kong.
The group makes crafted items for a range of UK charities, but also offers support and friendship for women who are newly arrived from Hong Kong.
“It was a big change for me, when I first came here,” said Ron.
“I was a businesswoman in Hong Kong, but I had to leave that part of myself behind.
“I felt I had lost part of my identity, and I needed something meaningful to do.”
Seeing a BBC News item asking for people to make newborn hats, she decided to learn to crochet.
“I gathered a few mums to crochet 100 bonnets for special needs babies,” she said.
“And my friend Shan, who is a great encourager, arranged for us to have a space here at King’s Church.
“Since our small beginnings, Crafting Smiles has completely exceeded my expectations.”
In 12 months, Ron’s group of just five mothers has grown into a nationwide organisation with 40 crochet groups, and more than 1,000 volunteers.
In its first year, Crafting Smiles has raised over £23,000 for more than 50 charities and hospitals through its charity sales, and has donated over 33,000 handmade crochet items to hospitals, schools, and charities.
These include: baby feet for the bereaved parents of newborns; and fidget toys, worry worms, and calming balls to support young people’s mental health in more than 60 schools through nationwide mental health charity BRIYM (Building Resilience In Young Minds).
Clive also visited Crafting Smiles while he was at The Well.
“Crafting Smiles not only gives children crocheted gifts to help them through tough times, but provides a communal space for local Hong Kongers to come together and build community,” he said.
“From just one visit to Kings Church, I felt how truly appreciative everyone involved is for each other, and I was deeply moved by the charitable spirit of both Crafting Smiles and the Well on Wednesdays.
“I want to thank everyone involved in the church for their hospitality and their incredible hard work.
“It’s places like these that are the beating heart of Wokingham’s community.”
The Well on Wednesdays runs from 11am until 3pm.
The Share table is open from 11.30am, and lunch is served at 12.30pm.
The event is free.
For information, visit: kingschurch.org.uk/the-well, warmwelcome.uk
