A haven for anyone to find friendship

In early 2025 a young man walked into Warm Welcome for the first time. Over the coming months we came to learn that Danny had escaped certain death by fleeing his home country of Eritrea. Families were being captured, locked in containers and left to die. 

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Immigration was headline news and this gave us locals a new perspective on the atrocities happening throughout the world. Danny's big smile and humble personality made him popular with the group. He joined in with all the activities including being a top pool player.

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More stories unfolded, telling us of his difficult journey across Africa and Europe even being locked up for 6 months in prison. After two years of travelling, mostly by foot or bus he reached Calais. He used all his money to board a dingy crossing the channel.  Soon after arriving he was transported to Manchester and then to Moor Row in Cumbria.

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Danny wanted to play the guitar so an old one was found and a volunteers taught him a few chords. Another volunteer wrote a letter of commendation this helped Danny gain asylum status. Yet another volunteer helped find work at a car wash, Danny then moved to London finding work at Amazon and a kitchen porter.

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It was a joyful but sad day when Danny left, a cake was bought, a suitcase, a train ticket and a carry bag for his guitar. The Warm Welcome Campaign helped Danny but he will never know the lessons he learnt us.

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Moor Row Warm Welcome in Cumbria has been open every Thursday for the last three and a half years. It provides a haven for anyone in the village and surrounding area to find friendship, support and care. Absolutely everyone is made welcome and entry is totally free.

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From October to April, a free hot meal is provided and during the rest of the year there is coffee, tea, biscuits and cake. It has become a central place in the village with an average of 32 attending ranging in age from 23 to 93!

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Everyone who works in the space is a volunteer who faithfully carry out all the duties from providing food and serving refreshments to actively listening and talking to attendees. Those having difficult times have received help outside of the Hub including support after the death of a family member, lifts to hospital appointments, and home visits when feeling unwell.

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Attendees are encouraged to take part in activities including crafts, table games and pool. The group recently raised £800 for a local charity by making and selling items they had made. The group also donates blankets and other items to the local hospital and premature baby care unit.

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Moor Row is on the 'coast to coast' route and the hub provides a stopping place for walkers from all over the world. They are made most welcome and locals love to talk to them and share in their adventure. 

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One lady who is now 92 told us how the Warm Welcome Hub saved her life! Before covid hit she was a very active member of the community but after lockdown she became housebound, too frightened to leave her home. Encouraged by a volunteer, she now attends every week and is a big part of the community again. This story of loneliness is replicated many times within the group, proving that mixing with others is a life changer.

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Volunteering is also like a medicine. Helping others through difficult times helps to see you through yours. One of our volunteers is a lady who lost her husband very suddenly and struggles every day to live without him. Serving teas and coffees and having a wee chat with others every week gives her a sense of purpose and is helping her through the grief.

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Warm Welcome has had a ripple effect across the village with members telling others who in turn now attend. New friendships have been formed, people check in on each other throughout the week and favours such as baking cakes, cutting grass and washing windows are now exchanged. It’s community spirit at its best!

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Emmanuel Moor Row was a runner up for the Warmest Welcome Award at the inaugural Warm Welcome Awards in June 2026.