Christ Church, Summerfield is just one church that's adapted its usual Warm Welcome drop-in this week, offering the local community a place to cool down during the heatwave.
By lunchtime today, 40 people – ranging from an 18-month-old to those in their 70s – had visited Christ Church for refuge from the sun.
Church volunteers have also been giving out ice lollies and water in local Summerfield park, and looking out for those who are particularly vulnerable to the hot weather.
Priest-in-Charge at Christ Church, Summerfield Revd Katie Stock, says: "Our church building was built for the local community and is a sign of the hope of Jesus for all people.
“We are in the 2% most deprived communities in the country, so hope is in short supply, but a welcoming smile and an ice lolly goes a long way."
Birmingham Warm Welcome network is a partnership of local community, voluntary sector and faith organisations from across Birmingham and the region, supported by Birmingham City Council and Church of England Birmingham charity Thrive Together Birmingham.
There are now more than 350 Warm Welcome spaces open each week across the city hosted by small neighbourhood-based community organisations, places of worship, community hubs, leisure centres and libraries.
Spaces are open to all, inclusive and non-judgemental.
Warm Welcome spaces offer free, safe and comfortable places for people to connect. For example, they offer a cup of tea, support and guidance, activities and learning opportunities, and a chance to make friends.
The spaces are open visitors all year-round, so they adapt to different seasons and weather challenges, including the need to provide cool spaces when temperatures are higher.
Fred Rattley, Director for Community Regeneration at Church of England Birmingham and Chief Executive of Thrive Together Birmingham said:
‘Since autumn 2021 Birmingham has been growing and supporting groups to open Warm Welcome spaces as places across the city offering welcome, hospitality and connection as a means of creating a network of support for all.
“Adaptability is key to this, and we know that many members of the Warm Welcome network are adapting their provision in response to the recent heatwave.’
For more information and to join the Warm Welcome network, contact Louise White.