Mapping and Evaluating Existing Welcome Spaces and Networks
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.
10 June 2026
In this project, funded by the Henry Smith Foundation, we are building a clear national picture of what “welcome” currently looks like across the UK — who’s already doing the work, what support exists for newcomers, where the gaps are and, importantly, what actually works. This gives the Welcome Coalition a solid evidence base to shape our strategy and strengthen our collective local welcoming efforts.
Creating a national map of Welcome Spaces
We are building an interactive digital map that shows the full spread of welcome organisations across the UK. To do that, we are gathering wider knowledge about existing services through desk research and outreach to grassroots organisations, and building detail about the provision on offer through a sector-wide survey. The final product is a live, searchable database that helps newcomers find local support, practitioners connect with one another, and the wider sector identify gaps and opportunities.
Understanding what works on the ground
Alongside the national map, we are exploring welcome systems in three places — Bristol, Devon and Renfrewshire (Paisley and Linwood). Working with peer researchers with lived experience, we conduct ethnographic observation in local services, speaking with staff, volunteers and service users, and looking at relationships between organisations and the typical user journey.
Project outputs
A live, public map and database of welcome organisations; a set of best-practice case studies based on lived experience; a “Welcome Instance Gallery” collecting examples of what works; and an evaluation report with key findings and recommendations for the sector.