Welcome centre

The centre - which opens on 2 days a week at Newton Hall, Easton, receives about 140 service users each week and now has more than 500 registered service users from 34 different countries. About two thirds of these are men and one third women. A large majority are under 30. 50 are children.

Service user’s comment
“At home you have stress – when you come here people welcome you with such a nice smile – you pull yourself out of your misery and when you come out you can give a smile back.”

Service user’s comment
“Here I get help and can find out where to go and who to see – eg to go to the Hub for housing. I have help in learning English from my teacher.”

The Centre Co-ordinator organises and directs the Welcome Centre. 50 regular volunteers bring many skills to the centre. Without them the centre could not function. About a quarter of these first came to the centre as service users themselves. The volunteers’ generosity and commitment make the centre a real place
of welcome.

We have provided placements for 5 students, from Bristol University and UWE social work courses, and the City of Bristol Community Volunteering course.

Welcome Centre at Newton Hall, Easton