Announcing the first ever Warm Welcome Awards

Today we are announcing the first ever Warm Welcome Awards.

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Millions of lives are touched and transformed by Warm Welcome Spaces. They are the heartbeat of communities, buzzing places where new friendships are forged, meals are shared, and people enjoy time together. These spaces are powered by kind-hearted volunteers who bring human warmth to everyone. 

The Warm Welcome Awards will shine a light on these remarkable spaces and people and celebrate the difference they make to communities right across the UK. 

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A Chain of Hope 

Our Founding Patron, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown, calls Warm Welcome Spaces a “Chain of Hope” stretching across the country, bringing light and human warmth to people’s lives. 

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We want to say thank you and celebrate the hope, kindness, and vibrancy that you bring to people’s lives: Warm Welcome Spaces, of every shape and size. These spaces transform lives and empower communities. 

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Nominations are open

The Warm Welcome Awards nominations are open from 23 January 2026 and close on 20 March 2026.

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The Warm Welcome Awards are free to enter; there are no hidden costs. Warm Welcome Awards shortlisted finalists will be invited to a free celebration awards ceremony in London, and we’ll help with travel costs too. We’ve made the nomination process quick and easy. 

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Our awards are open to every Warm Welcome Space or partner based in the UK. To qualify, the Warm Welcome Space must be registered with the Warm Welcome Campaign and appear on our map. 

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It’s an inclusive awards programme that’s open to every space, no matter how small or big. We want to celebrate the diversity of Warm Welcome Spaces of every shape and size, right across the UK.

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Award Categories 

There are six Warm Welcome Award categories. All the Warm Welcome Award categories have been developed around our vision and values.

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You can apply for as many categories as you would like. 

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• Unsung Hero Award: recognising volunteering heroes who make extraordinary things happen.
• Warmest Welcome Award: celebrating culture & the spirit of a true warm welcome.
• Bright Ideas Award, Unlikely Friendships Award:  recognising creativity, innovation & new ideas that inspire others.
• Unlikely Friendships Award: celebrating the stories of friendship that have grown within a Warm Welcome Space.
• Community Connector Award: recognises partnerships that amplify impact & strengthen communities.
• The Rt Hon Gordon Brown Chain of Hope Award: recognises work that embodies the spirit of the Warm Welcome movement, turning hope into action & compassion into impact.

You can read more about each of the categories here.

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Who can apply

You can nominate your own space or another space or individual that you want to recognise.

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All the details are on our web page here.

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