Community Pop-Ins

During the winter, Community Workers organised a variety of pop-ins in local halls, often alongside partners and community groups. For example, some were cooking sessions linked to schools, one was a Memory Lane Café in partnership with the museum and library, and another was a friendly chat over cups of tea and freshly baked scones. The type of pop in depended on what suited that area and community. Community Workers brought books, magazines and games to provide a gentle way for folk to connect with each other. Also available were benefit check forms, fuel vouchers and various items such as blankets and hot water bottles. Usually, there was soup, tea and coffee.

Members of the community attend pop-ins for a variety of reasons, including support, to get out of the house, to meet other people, to take part in an activities such as baking or to just sit in company alongside others over a warm cuppa.  The support offered is low key and informal, and can just as easily come from having conversations about challenges with others in attendance.

Overcoming any Barriers to Participation

Pop-ins were designed to be inclusive, and were deliberately not advertised as ‘warm spaces’ in order to reduce potential stigma.  Pop-ins were all about offering an open, welcoming, safe space that people could come, get a cup of tea, and have someone to speak with.

As mentioned, Community Workers knew that working in partnership with communities and what works for them contributes to the success, and therefore reduces potential barriers to participation. For example, by not having the event on at the same time as something else in the community, or tying in with another event that members of the community attend, or have an interest in.