Places of Welcome is a national initiative aimed at providing a network of community venues where anyone can go to find a friendly face and for a cuppa and a chat. It’s a way of providing a free social meeting place for those who may live alone or feel isolated, are new to the area or have little opportunity to meet other people in their neighbourhood. It’s somewhere everyone is welcome and it’s important that there should always be someone on hand ready to provide a smile and a greeting and to encourage people to drop by. This is where you come in.

Would you be able to host a group at your local library? We’re looking for people who can:
- attend a 2 hour session at a regular time once a week
- make and serve refreshments to visitors and clear away at the end
- chat to diverse people on a variety of subjects, but more importantly, be a good listener
- share knowledge of local organisations where further help and support can be found (AgeUK, Mind, Notts Help Yourself).

Over a period of time groups may develop in a variety of ways, depending on the skills and interests of those participating, and the volunteer hosts would be instrumental in passing these ideas to library staff for consideration.

All volunteers should be willing to undertake some short training sessions to help them in their new roles. This role will also require two references.

Currently, we have vacancies for Places of Welcome Hosts at the following libraries: Mansfield, West Bridgford, Worksop, Newark, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Bingham, Southwell, Retford, Carlton, Forest Town, Mansfield Woodhouse, Huthwaite and Bilsthorpe. Others may follow shortly.

For more information on Places of Welcome visit https://www.placesofwelcome.org.uk