St Matthew's Warm Hub:
Supporting Southcote through the Cost of Living Crisis
In response to the growing cost of living crisis, St Matthew's Church launched the Warm Hub as a safe, welcoming space to provide warmth, food, and fellowship for the Southcote community. Initially, our goal was simple: to create a place where people could escape the cold, share a homemade meal, and find some relief from the financial pressures they face daily. However, within just a few weeks, we quickly realised that the Warm Hub was addressing far more than just physical warmth—it was also meeting deep emotional and mental health needs in our community.
A Safe Space for Friendship and Mental Health Support
Alongside offering warmth and food, the Warm Hub has become a lifeline for individuals struggling with mental health issues, isolation, and loneliness. In a world where many feel forgotten or overwhelmed, our weekly gatherings provide a supportive and caring environment for people of all backgrounds. Whether it's through sharing a meal, joining in conversation, or simply being around others who understand their struggles, attendees have found a renewed sense of community and purpose.
How We Support the Community
The Warm Hub is open every Friday after school, providing a hot, homemade meal to families and individuals from Southcote. While the children engage in crafts and games, parents can connect, relax, and enjoy each other's company. As we prepare and share meals together, we have noticed a growing interest in learning how to cook nutritious, budget-friendly meals. In response, we’ve begun teaching families new recipes, at our cookery school and many now help prepare and serve the meals each week, creating a true sense of ownership and belonging.
Our community is diverse, including individuals who are employed, unemployed, and many who face challenges with mental health. What unites them all is a shared need for connection and support, and the Warm Hub offers exactly that. The sense of togetherness is so strong that families have asked us to extend our services into the school holidays, a request we are excited to fulfill. This winter winter, we will, once again, be open on a Friday from 3-6.30 pm, continuing to provide home-cooked meals, desserts, and plenty of free activities for the children.
To keep both our Warm Hub and Cookery School running, it is important to highlight that we have been awarded National Lottery funding, which has enabled us to cover the cost of food, utilities, and general running expenses, ensuring that we can continue providing this lifeline to the Southcote community throughout the winter months. With this funding, we have been able to support approximately 50-60 people each week. We are extremely grateful to our donors and volunteers for continuing to support our initiatives and helping us to make a real difference in people's lives.
