A warm cup of tea, a friendly smile, a place to sit quietly or to sit and talk. Stepping into a Warm Welcome Space can turn what might have been a lonely day into one filled with connection and community.

These places of belonging are springing up in every corner of the country: cafes, art galleries, sports centres, faith spaces and more than ever, in libraries.

From humble beginnings three years ago, Warm Welcome has grown into a movement of more than 5,400 spaces supported by partners from charity, faith, business, government and philanthropy. Together, these spaces have become the heartbeat of local communities, helping people feel less isolated, boosting wellbeing and sparking the magic of human connection.

Among all Warm Welcome Spaces, libraries have grown faster than any other group. They now make up the largest part of the network, with more than 1,430 Warm Welcome Spaces in libraries. Libraries are trusted, free to access and welcoming to everyone.

Libraries have always been places where people come not just to read but to learn, connect and belong. They bring people together across generations, provide practical support and open their doors with warmth in every sense of the word.

At Torquay Library, a free weekly community breakfast has become the crowning glory of their Warm Welcome Space. Designed to support people experiencing homelessness, the breakfasts now attract a lively mix of regulars and newcomers.

With up to 50 guests each week, the Torquay team has seen a blend of established regulars and others who dip in and out. Some are new, which always brings fresh energy to the space and they are welcoming a wide cross-section of age groups. There have even been a few primary school-aged children and one baby. Increasingly, more people experiencing homelessness are attending, which is exactly who the library wanted to help alongside families and anyone struggling to make ends meet.

Further north, Barnstaple Library runs a Warm Welcome Space that stretches from soup to sweet treats. Guests gather not just to share food but to share stories and companionship, illustrating how welcoming people from the community with warmth and openness can transform a day and sometimes a life. These examples show the extraordinary ways libraries are bringing the spirit of Warm Welcome to life and why they are so central to the network.

Last winter, Warm Welcome Spaces hosted more than 2.6 million visits. Libraries were at the forefront of that impact, and they will be again this year.

There are many ways for libraries to get involved. They can join the Champions programme, take part in Warm Welcome Week or be recognised through the Warm Welcome Awards.

Every library, no matter its size, can make a difference. Whether hosting a hot drink, running a small activity or simply offering a safe space to sit, every warm welcome helps people feel valued and connected.

The Warm Welcome Campaign has a bold ambition: to ensure that everyone in the UK has a Warm Welcome Space close to their home. Our research shows that currently 68% of people in the UK live within 30 minutes of a Warm Welcome Space. We want to take that to 100%, with libraries playing a central role, our ambition is for every library across the UK to join the Warm Welcome movement.

They are not only places filled with books but places of belonging, powered by volunteers, friendship and human warmth. By opening their doors in creative and generous ways, libraries show that they are vital social infrastructure.

They are spaces where loneliness can be lifted, wellbeing can flourish and communities can thrive.

Are you looking to join the Warm Welcome movement? Help change the lives of people in your community by registering your space today: warmwelcome.uk/signup.

Find your nearest Warm Welcome Space on our interactive map: https://www.warmwelcome.uk/find-a-space.