Portsmouth community leaders head to Parliament to celebrate Warm Welcome Spaces
Portsmouth made its mark in Westminster as Nicole, founder of Community Kettle, and volunteer champion Tara travelled to Parliament to celebrate the national impact of Warm Welcome Spaces — a movement built on kindness, connection, and community spirit.
They were joined by Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin, a strong advocate for grassroots initiatives that tackle isolation and hardship. The event brought together MPs, volunteers, and community organisations from across the UK to mark Warm Welcome Week, a nationwide celebration of spaces that offer dignity, warmth, and a sense of belonging to anyone who walks through their doors.
Hosted by Lord Bailey of Paddington alongside Paul Davies MP, the reception shone a spotlight on the growing Warm Welcome movement and the vital role it plays in communities like Portsmouth. Guests helped build a colourful “Chain of Hope,” inspired by founding patron Rt Hon Gordon Brown’s description of Warm Welcome Spaces as a “chain of hope” stretching across the country. MPs added their names to the chain, signalling cross‑party recognition of the initiative’s importance.
For Nicole and Tara, the day was nothing short of historic. Community Kettle began life in a cold, empty former bank — a shell of a building that volunteers transformed into a vibrant hub of warmth, welcome, and human connection. Their invitation to Parliament marks a proud moment not just for them, but for the entire Portsmouth community that has rallied behind the project.
Reflecting on the day, Nicole said the celebration was “a powerful reminder that community is built through everyday acts of kindness.” Tara added that attending Parliament was “an honour, and a chance to show what Portsmouth can achieve when people come together.”
Warm Welcome Week continues to highlight the volunteers and community spaces ensuring no one in the UK has to face hardship alone — a message Portsmouth has embraced wholeheartedly.
And while the recognition in Westminster is a huge boost, Community Kettle’s work continues back home. As a volunteer‑run organisation renting a commercial space on Cosham High Street, the team is working tirelessly to keep its doors open so it can remain a lifeline for local people — a place where warmth is measured not just in degrees, but in dignity, friendship, and hope.
One simple way the public can help is through Pay It Forward tokens — small acts of generosity that allow anyone to pre‑purchase a drink, meal, or activity for someone who needs it. These tokens ensure that kindness and support is always available.