Places of Welcome Evaluation

Places of Welcome began in 2013 as a development of the Birmingham Social Inclusion process ‘Giving Hope, Changing Lives’. It is a network of small community groups, including faith communities, who aim to offer an unconditional welcome to local people for at least a few hours a week. The primary aim of the Places of Welcome network is that ‘Every neighbourhood has places where all people feel safe to belong, connect and contribute’.

This report summarises the key findings of an evaluation of Places of Welcome conducted from May – August 2016. The evaluation aimed to identify the key impacts of Places of Welcome for those that participate in them. It was commissioned by CUF and conducted by an independent consultant working collaboratively with CUF Research and Policy staff. The evaluation focused on the West Midlands area (Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell).