Warm Hubs and Community Exchanges

Warm Hubs is a term used for regular get-togethers that offer safe, accessible, warm spaces (like community buildings, libraries, or church rooms). People attend them to find company, get to know their neighbours and enjoy a hot drink. They are often called different things like Warm Spots, Cuppa and Chat, Community Get Togethers – they can be called whatever works for each area or group.

Many Warm Hubs offer additional services like stalls for advice providers or local support information. Some evolve to hold movie nights and community suppers, or annual coach trips for local residents.

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Community Exchanges

Similar to Warm Hubs, Community Exchanges are regular, community-led events that bring people together, provide services and information, and reduce social isolation. In most cases the Exchanges have been established to bring the community together, rather than in response to a specific event such as a shop closure. Many communities already have coffee mornings, village hall pub nights and other events to bring people together, which fulfil some of the same purposes as an Exchange. We have defined a Community Exchange as a regular, community-run activity which:

  • Brings the community together, particularly people who might not otherwise meet.
  • Reduces isolation for residents who may feel ‘cut off” from the community.
  • Provides services (i.e. an opportunity to shop, socialise, access information, health care or learn about public services).

ACT has produced a Toolkit for communities looking to start up their own Exchange

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