The Open Day at the Nourish Hub was one of those moments that captured exactly what community spaces are all about. The Open Day took place at the start of “Warm Welcome Week”, Warm Welcome Spaces’ awareness week that aims to create more warm spaces for people to share time and a hot drink.
The day brought together residents, partners, volunteers and local organisations to share warmth in every sense: practical, emotional and collective. By the end of the day, we had welcomed around 120 people through our doors, with almost 100 staying on for Community Lunch. The hub was full, buzzing and alive with conversation, connection and support.
The aim of the Open Day was simple but powerful: to create an open, welcoming space where people could access practical support, connect with trusted organisations, and feel part of a community, particularly during the colder months when cost-of-living pressures are felt most acutely. It was also an opportunity to showcase the breadth of what happens at the Nourish Hub, from warm meals and advice to education, volunteering and longer-term community support and more.
The event was open to everyone in the local community, with a particular focus on:
- Residents looking for energy advice, financial guidance or practical help
- Families and individuals wanting to learn about local services
- People interested in volunteering or joining Nourish Hub programmes
- Partner organisations keen to collaborate and reach residents directly
Many people arrived for one reason and were able to access so much more information. Advice turned into lunch, conversations turned into connections, and first visits turned into plans to return.
We were delighted to welcome OVO Energy, alongside Family Hubs, Step Change and School Nurses, bringing a wide range of support into one shared space.
OVO Energy attended as part of their national community roadshow, a series of events helping residents better understand their energy use and make savings. On the day, the team offered:
- Friendly, one-to-one energy advice
- Practical support including light bulbs, electric blankets and solar panel batteries
- Clear, accessible guidance to help people feel more confident about managing energy costs
Having these services available at the Hub meant that residents could access support without appointments, referrals or barriers; something many told us made all the difference.
A key moment of the day was the soft launch of our Community Pantry, supported by Kelly, Jason and volunteers Diane and Sally. Our Community Pantry will be available once a month to local residence, offering a chance to get access to affordable food. Visit our community page to find out more.
Throughout the day, volunteers played a vital role. Alongside pantry support, Helen, Poppy and Andreea were joined by volunteers Betsy and Geraldine in promoting NOURISHed and the Nourish Hub volunteer programme, welcoming new faces and sharing how people can get involved and lots more volunteers in the kitchen and on the front of house too, ensuring everyone has a great experience.
As always, volunteers were at the heart of the day, creating a calm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere that makes the Hub what it is.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, shared expertise and made the day what it was. Events like this show what’s possible when organisations and communities come together and we’re excited about what this marks the beginning of.
Visit our What’s On page to find out more about what we’re hosting at Nourish Hub and how you can be part of Nourish Hub’s warm and welcoming community.
