It’s true to say that every Place of Welcome offers the same values at every one of it’s groups but it’s also very true to say that every group is unique in its own way; having something that makes it such a great place to go and meet with others, week after week. All Places of welcome operate from an accessible building that is open at the same time every week, they are all open to everyone and run by volunteers. Every group is a place where people actively listen to one another, respect each other’s talents and experiences to encourage participation and they all offer a warm drink and a biscuit to every single person who attends.
It’s also true to say that we love hearing from the volunteers and guests of all our Places of Welcome groups across the diocese; we think good news stories should be shared as widely as possible! With that in mind, we asked our volunteer hosts to let us know what impact their Place of Welcome has on the local community it serves and tell us a little bit of their story.
One volunteer host, Jan, from Cannock Library Place of Welcome did just that! Running a group each Monday, 11am – 1pm, three volunteers give at least two and a half hours of their time to make sure everyone in their local community has a place to go connect with others. Read her story below:
“Presently, {our guests are} mainly 50-80 years. However, we initially welcomed many refugees aged from 16-35 but as they have moved on the majority of our guests are those who find themselves lonely and /or isolated; young mum’s at home with young children, those who are retired, carers for other family members, disabled guests, those who have been bereaved, refugees who have remained in the local area and have formed friendships within the group.
“Our volunteers are all members of the St Vincent de Paul Society, (SVP), which operates from St Mary and St Thomas More Church, Cannock and Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Hednesford; our mission is to help anyone in need. Through talking with our guests, various needs have become apparent, and we have been able to either help discreetly but directly or signpost accordingly and, as such, this venture is a good example of how organisations can work in partnership for the good of the local community.
“As a locality where many refugees were initially placed, a substantial number of our original guests were refugees aged from 16 years upwards, away from home for the first time, and they would share their stories of the difficulties they had experienced, in some cases, the many difficulties they were still experiencing, and of the families they had left behind.
“Through playing board games and chatting, they had the opportunity to practice their conversational English skills within a safe and welcoming environment with other members of the local community.
“(It is no secret that there has been hostility towards our refugees within the local area from some community members: There have been one or two ‘difficult’ situations to manage, with some individuals having very strong opinions towards refugees being placed in the local area, but many more guests have responded with equally strong, very protective responses. Hopefully, being given opportunities such as those afforded by ‘Places of Welcome’ to meet and learn about one another’s lives provides positive steps towards breaking down such barriers and we find out that we actually have much more in common than that which we perceive divides us).
Our ‘Place of Welcome’ has brought together young and old who have discovered mutual interests, so that they not only have a cuppa together but also bring along their knitting and share tips on furthering their skills!
It has become a haven for those who have found themselves isolated, caring for much loved family members but occasionally needing a break and a chat to others about the difficulties they are trying to cope with.
We have welcomed a few gentlemen who have found themselves widowed; they have bravely shared their stories of loneliness and how it has been difficult to take the first steps to walk through the door and join us.
As volunteers, it is a great joy to meet so many wonderful people from all walks of life, to have a chat and listen to their stories, to empathise and maybe feel their sadness or share their joy and have a giggle! But what does attending our ‘Place of Welcome’ mean to our guests? Well, here are some of their responses…
‘It’s something to do – meeting new people and using the library while I’m here’.
‘It gets me out of the house. My 2 year old wakes on a Monday and says, ‘Library?’.
‘I come for the company – to get out of the house’.
‘I want to have a laugh and a chat or maybe find out about volunteering’.
‘I come for something to do and to meet new people’.
‘For something to do, chat and play dominoes and use the library computer while I’m here’,
‘For company; I don’t see anyone all week, otherwise, so it gets me out of the house’.
A huge thanks to Jan for sharing how a little corner of a Staffordshire library has helped change the lives of many through signposting, intergenerational chats and, of course, a cup of tea or two along the way!