Community Pop-Ins

Increasing social connections and supporting cost of living challenges in the winter

In response to the impact the cost of living crisis is having on individuals, families and communities, Shetland Island Council’s (SIC) Community Development Team applied to the SIC’s Winter Activities Fund to deliver a series of warm space ‘Community Pop-Ins’ across Shetland, targeting communities where there was little or no other local provision. This was done in partnership with communities, community groups and local partners.

The aim was for these to be inclusive, staying away from potential stigma that the phrase ‘warm space’ may bring. It was about having a welcoming, safe space that people could come, get a cup of tea, and have someone to speak with. Community workers hired community halls, and between 15th February and 30th March 2023, delivered 48 ‘pop-ins’ across Shetland, which were attended by a total of 316 people.

Community Pop-Ins were designed to tackle loneliness and isolation, and support with cost of living challenges (for example fuel bills going up). Community workers brought books, magazines and games to provide a gentle way for folk to connect with each other in a non-threatening way. Benefit check forms, fuel vouchers and various items from St Ringan’s Hub were also brought along. Some examples of community pop ins include: a joint pop up with Youth Work and Community Centre in Sandwick; a Memory Lane Café in partnership with Shetland Museum and Shetland Library in Voe; and in Mossbank, pop-ins were run alongside the Under-5s group.

Sessions have resulted in a number of benefits, outlined below.

Increased social connections

For example, one collaborative Community Pop-In was attended by local people, local care home residents, and a children’s group who all saw the sessions advertised.  Workers felt that the event was a success in bringing people together, with the groups keen to come to future community events.

The community worker felt that having older and younger people come together was brilliant:

“We had older folk sitting there alongside bairns at the next table, interacting. This just happened by itself, it wasn’t manoeuvred, it was a happy accident, it was brilliant – it’s what it’s all about.”

Being able to speak more freely about cost of living challenges and seek support

With the approach of ‘getting stuck in’, making sandwiches and soup with community members whilst also having a laptop and fuel vouchers nearby, Community Workers were able to have conversations about the cost of living. The feeling was that when people saw their neighbours or someone coming to speak about benefit checks and fuel vouchers, it seemed to encourage more people to do so. It was felt that many people who sought help may not have done so in another environment.

Feeling less lonely and isolated

Many people attending were brought along by others, but, on several occasions they met someone there who could take them back next time. There were also comments such as; “This is really great and I hope this can continue”.

Maximised household income through initiating a benefit check/fuel vouchers

Benefit checks and fuel vouchers have enabled people to both alleviate immediate financial hardship, but also look at how they could increase their household income through social security and benefits. Through connections made at these events, one Community Worker was able to signpost community groups to the Household Hardship Fund. This resulted in approximately 45 households being paid up to £200 to help over the winter. 

Being a catalyst for new community led activity as groups recognise the need for this type of informal opportunity

A retired individual who used to work in renewables realised how cold his local hall was during the pop-ins. With a desire to do something about this, he is in touch with the Community Worker to apply for funding to insulate the hall and plans to volunteer to manage this project. By taking a lead, this will not just benefit individuals, it will also benefit the community. Some attendees have also mentioned that they plan to start their own social group as they have realised the benefits of these events.

Community Pop-Ins link to all the Shetland Partnership Plan priorities. With a focus on reducing stigma, increasing social connections and helping with cost of living, there were many benefits. Partnership working with communities and other agencies was key, and Community Workers reflected that the events were more successful and better attended when done in conjunction with communities and others.