Building stronger systems of welcome across the UK
A national network designed to support, inform, and amplify local welcoming efforts across the United Kingdom.
Bringing together communities, practitioners, and organisations who share a belief in the power of welcome to strengthen society.
By linking local practice to national learning, the Coalition is creating a shared infrastructure for welcome: connecting initiatives, building evidence, and nurturing leadership at every level. It will help local success be shared and scaled, so the welcome people feel in one place can consistently and effectively reach others across the UK.
Welcome must be intentional, active, and shared by all.
“When we accelerate welcome, we strengthen the social fabric of our communities, building a society where belonging is ordinary, difference is a gift, and where everyone, whether new or settled, has a place to call home.”
Beth Worku-Dix, Neighbourly LabWhat we do
Unite a diverse network
In the Community of Practice, we bring together a wide range of organisations, community groups, local authorities, researchers, funders and practitioners working to support welcome and belonging. By creating stronger connections across the sector, we help people learn from one another, build partnerships and develop more coordinated approaches to welcome.
Share what works
We identify, document and share good practice from across the country. Through research, case studies, peer learning and practical resources, we help organisations understand what effective welcome looks like in different contexts and how successful approaches can be adapted elsewhere.
Build the evidence base
We are developing robust evidence on what works to create welcoming communities. Through mapping, evaluation and participatory research, we better understand existing welcome ecosystems, identify gaps in provision, and generate insights that strengthen local and national approaches to welcome.
Amplify stories and influence change
We believe the experiences of communities and newcomers should shape the future of welcome in the UK. We amplify stories from the ground, showcase innovative practice, and use evidence and lived experience to inform policy discussions and improve systems across the sector.
Mapping Welcome Across the UK
We are creating a live national map and database of welcome organisations and initiatives across the UK. This helps make local welcome more visible, connects organisations with one another, and identifies opportunities to strengthen support where it is needed most.
Alongside this mapping work, we are exploring how local welcome ecosystems function in practice. Through place-based research, peer-led inquiry and lived experience insights, we are building a richer picture of what helps people feel welcomed, included and able to thrive.
Explore the mapWelcome in Practice
What does welcome provision look like across the UK? Explore the findings from our national mapping research: the types of organisations involved, where they are, the support they offer together, and where funding is going.
Explore the findingsLatest news & resources
See all news & resources →News, research and learning from across the Welcome Coalition and the wider sector.
Our national map of Welcome Spaces is now live
18 Jun 2026
The first version of the Welcome Coalition map and directory is now live — making local welcome more visible and helping organisations connect across the UK.
Mapping and Evaluating Existing Welcome Spaces and Networks
10 Jun 2026
Our flagship project, funded by the Henry Smith Foundation, builds a clear national picture of what “welcome” looks like across the UK — who is already doing the work, what support exists, where the gaps are, and what works.
Three places, deeper insight: fieldwork in Bristol, Devon and Renfrewshire
28 May 2026
Through place-based research and peer-led inquiry, we’re exploring how local welcome ecosystems function — not just who is doing the work, but how well different local systems work together.
Be part of the Coalition
Join the Community of Practice, the Research & Learning Group, or the Policy & Narrative Group, and help build a more connected, informed and impactful welcome sector.