Gaby Roslin and Gordon Brown announce the winners of the inaugural Warm Welcome Awards

The Warm Welcome Campaign’s ambassador, Gaby Roslin, compered the first-ever Warm Welcome Awards held at Sky HQ in London yesterday (17 June). 

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Millions of lives are transformed by the UK network of over 6,300 Warm Welcome Spaces, and last year they welcomed 3.5 million visitors. The Warm Welcome Campaign developed the Warm Welcome Awards to recognise and celebrate the remarkable difference they make to communities, especially the thousands of dedicated volunteers who keep their doors open.

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Gaby Roslin, Ambassador for the Warm Welcome Campaign, said:

“It has been such a joy to compere the first-ever Warm Welcome Awards. The room was brimming with love, friendship, and kindness. Behind the doors of every Warm Welcome Space are real people and real stories of lives that have been touched by kindness and compassion. The simple act of offering a kind word, a smile, and a cuppa can make a huge difference to anyone who feels lonely. It was a real honour to present the Warm Welcome Awards. What a wonderful way to celebrate Warm Welcome Spaces and the people that make them.”  

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Warm Welcome Awards Ceremony was generously hosted by Sky, at Sky HQ in Osterley. The Warm Welcome Awards were free to enter, and all the finalists enjoyed a free and VIP experience at Sky HQ. The Warm Welcome Awards were judged by Warm Welcome’s partners including Sky, Eden Projects, Co-op, Barratt Redrow Foundation, Good Practice Mentors, Acts 435, National Grid and NGED, Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, Libraries Connected, OVO energy, and Jo Cox Foundation.

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Martine Williamson, Director of Service Operations for Sky added:

“It has been a privilege to host the inaugural Warm Welcome Awards at Sky’s HQ. Over the last couple of years, Sky and our Time to Care team have been proud to partner with Warm Welcome and witness first-hand the transformational impact Warm Welcome Spaces have on people’s lives. These spaces bring hope, kindness, and connection to communities across the UK. It was an honour to serve as a judge and host the Warm Welcome Awards, recognising and celebrating the remarkable people behind them.”

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Gaby Roslin and Martine Williamson from Sky announced the six award winners, including the Unsung Hero Award, Brights Award and Warmest Welcome Award. The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown sent a personal video message to announce the winner of the flagship award given in his name: The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown Chain of Hope Award. 

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In his message Gordon Brown, Founding Patron for the Warm Welcome Campaign said: 

“I’m honoured to announce Birmingham Says No Community Hub as the winner of the Rt Hon Gordon Brown Chain of Hope Award. Birmingham Says No offers lifeline support to those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poor mental health, poverty, and others facing severe hardship. Many who enter the Hub have been unable to access statutory services and have no other options. You are restoring that “hope” to everyone who comes through your doors. Congratulations to Birmingham Says No and to all the finalists. You all demonstrate an outstanding contribution to your communities.” 

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David Barclay, Campaign Director for the Warm Welcome Campaign said: 

“Warm Welcome Spaces are the heartbeat of communities, buzzing places where new friendships are forged, meals are shared, and people enjoy time together. They are powered by kind-hearted volunteers who bring human warmth to everyone. The difference they make to people’s lives is remarkable, especially those who feel lonely and forgotten. Last week we spoke to a man who said his local Warm Welcome Space is the only place left where they still call him by his name. He’s not a random person at a bus stop or someone in a shop. Here, he is John. That’s the power of Warm Welcome Spaces, and why we created the awards to celebrate them.”

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The Warm Welcome Award winners and finalists are:

For the Warmest Welcome Award

Winner: Bee Creatives at Bee Friends in Frodsham, Cheshire.

The judges said: “The Bee Creatives team at Bee Friends came together to mark Keeping Warm Day with remarkable generosity. They knit, crochet, or sew handmade items—hats, scarves, mittens, hot water bottle cosies—for every single visitor who attends Bee Friends. With up to 100 people participating, this is no small undertaking. For many, particularly those who live alone or experience social isolation, this kindness is deeply moving. Visitors often express how seen and appreciated they feel, with some reduced to tears by the warmth and thoughtfulness shown. Bee Creatives embody the very best of community dedication. Their consistent kindness, creativity, and commitment to improving the lives of others make them truly deserving of recognition and this award.”

Finalists for the Warmest Welcome Award were:

• Manna House at the Stephenson Centre, in Cumbria
• Emmanuel Moor Row, also in Cumbria!
• St Andrews Friendship Café, in Alford, Aberdeenshire

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The Unsung Hero Award

Winner: Ravinder Taggar from the Go Woman Alliance in Birmingham.

The judges said: “Ravinder’s dedication and commitment are reflected in the many ways she supports women in times of crisis every week. Ravinder’s compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment provided not only immediate safety but also long-term hope and empowerment. She builds bridges across cultures and brings the community together, creating safe spaces and enabling everyone to have a real sense of value and belonging.”

Finalists for the Unsung Hero award were:

• Pat Hirst, Baildon Methodist Church, Shipley West Yorkshire
• The Founder of Hope Hut in Nottingham
• Dave Berry, from Swansea MAD

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The Bright Ideas Award

Winner: Tech Talk & Toast at the Old Fire Station.

The judges said: “Tech Talk & Toast brings digital inclusion into everyday community life at The Old Fire Station, supporting residents with low confidence or experience to build skills in a safe, social setting. Its impact is reflected in the journeys of participants whose confidence, independence, and opportunities have grown through the programme. This bright idea’s brilliance lies in its gentleness: digital inclusion is not a course to attend but something shared across a table. In a community where digital exclusion overlaps with poverty, disability, and isolation, Tech Talk & Toast quietly reconnects people to the modern world and to each other. It has tangible outcomes and far-reaching impact, delivered with a non-judgemental and gentle approach.”

The finalists for the Bright Ideas Award were:

• Sutton Methodist Church, in Hull  
• Cornerstone, Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne
• The Owen Project. In Stoke on Trent

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The Community Connector Award

Winner: Britwell Hub, in Slough.

The judges said: “The Britwell Hub has become a place of connection, warmth, genuine cohesion, and beautiful conversations. For so many people it is a highlight of their week. If more people arrive than they expect, they make the table bigger. And they have joined up parts of the 'system' that usually doesn't happen. They now have refugees who have come from different countries volunteering and helping others. Every week they hear stories of how someone who was feeling lonely is now feeling part of the Britwell Hub family.”

The finalists for the Community Connector Award were:

• The Hive, in Bath
• Les Wilson from Ely Library, in Cambridgeshire
• Warmwell at Westbank and Community Health and Care, in Exeter

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The Unlikely Friendships Award

Winner: Lillian Walker, from Nettlesworth Community Centre in Chester-Le-Street.

The judges said: “Lillian Walker is the head volunteer and cook for the Community Café in Nettlesworth Community Centre. The locals who attend are all born-and-bred in the area, but over the last 18 months two Ukrainian refugees have found the warmest welcome there. Lillian’s exceptional leadership has made the Community Café an inclusive and welcoming space, and through her work so many unlikely friendships have been made. In a village community that has very little experience of other cultures, the welcome that Lillian has given to the Ukrainian refugees has set an example and opened up an interest in the wider world. Lillian has helped to broker unlikely friendships between guests that cross boundaries of culture and language.”

The finalists for the Unlikely Friendships Award were:

• Michael Layton and Robert Reddon from Cosy Cafe in Manchester
• Mickley Warm and Welcome Space, in Alfreton, Derbyshire
• St Mary’s Church in East Molesey, Surrey

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The Rt Hon Gordon Brown Chain of Hope Award

Winner: Birmingham Says No.

The judges said: “They support communities with no barriers, referrals or judgement. The Space’s most powerful impact lies in its model of transformation - every volunteer first comes in as a guest, later rebuilding stability, confidence, and purpose by supporting others. By stabilising lives, preventing harm, and restoring dignity, they create a powerful, cyclical chain of hope that benefits both individuals and the wider community.”

The finalists for the Chain of Hope award were:

• Holy Trinity, Warrington
• Train Youth Club in Didcot
• Gaal Bat in Gillingham

The six Warm Welcome Awards winners received a trophy and a £1,000 prize to support the work of their Warm Welcome Space.

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