Last week was Warm Welcome Week; find out how the network of Community Hubs and Community Living Rooms in Cambridgeshire chased the blues away… with red, orange, purple & pink!

 

January 20 is known as ‘Blue Monday’ and is traditionally the most depressing day of the year. That’s why, at Cambridgeshire ACRE, we took part in Warm Welcome Week to highlight the importance of the venues involved in our Community Hubs Network where people can find a warm welcome, company and a hot drink in a community space near to where they live.

Led by The Warm Welcome Campaign, which has over 5,000 warm spaces on their register, we supported Warm Welcome Week by asking our volunteers and their communities to wear something bright in pink, orange, red or purple to represent the joy, positivity and friendship that our hubs offer.

We saw lots of great participation across our Community Hubs Network with bright colours being worn by many, and colour-themed games and quizzes hosted. Some made some striking cakes in orange, blue and yellow, there were party games too; all using colour and shared activities to generate a sense of belonging and wellbeing. These pictures show how residents attending the Community Hubs at March and Toft took part in crafting and cake making.

The Cambridgeshire ACRE staff did their bit too and we all came to our regular team working day wearing our brightest outfits.

Loneliness is a reality for many residents in rural communities and the Cambridgeshire Community Hubs Network is a vital source of company, friendship and belonging. Nationally, Warm Welcome has seen a 25% increase in the number of hubs and warm spaces operating since only October last year, which speaks for itself. All this confirms Cambridgeshire ACRE’s long-held view that by getting together, we can support each other and help people feel less lonely and more connected.

To find your nearest Community Hub, please visit our website, or call us on 01353 860850.