Building community at our Warm Space

We’re part of the Co-op Local Community Fund. Co-op Members can help raise funds for this group by choosing Link Age Southwark as your cause here.

For over 2 years, every Friday, Warm Space has been welcoming people over age 60 to come together for an afternoon and enjoy some homemade soup. The group attracts people with different needs; for companionship, a foodbank, or a place to spend time that is good for wellbeing. Whether that is a game of Scrabble, or chat over tea and biscuits.  

Attendees are usually referred through social prescribing, ‘I think it's good for the brain, memory and helps with dementia’ says a regular. For Bev, ‘when you're feeling lonely, it's a perfect place to come meet people and make friends.’ 

The group is from all walks of life, coordinator Farah says, ‘there is such a beautiful vibe on Friday. Lots of new faces, good chats about culture and everything in between. They share stories from where they grow up. They talk about changes in the borough’.  

Fitsum has been supporting the group since the beginning, ‘the biggest impact is belonging to the community. The group are given the opportunity to express and get ideas, to tell stories. To connect where they feel valued.’ Dookie beams, ‘you guys are our light, our sunshine’. Help us keep spreading the light by voting for us in the Co-op community fund.  

Photos by Nick Dolding.