2025 has been yet another year of ups and downs! The difficult and unpredictable funding environment, and the growth in hostility towards the communities we support have surely been the biggest challenges.
However, your groups have been a consistent source of light and hope throughout. For your members, they’ve been a space where people have felt safe, valued and included. Speaking candidly on behalf of our team, they’ve been a reminder of why we must do everything we can, not just to keep Local Welcome going, but to keep on growing too!
With the fear, division and hostility our communities are facing hanging over us, we wanted our final message to you this year to leave you feeling as proud, lifted and determined to carry on creating light, hope and solidarity in 2026 as possible.
In 2025, you ran 66 meals in 8 cities across the UK, generating 3,274 social contact hours (hours which might otherwise have been spent alone). This is a 52.2% increase in social contact hours compared to last year, despite the challenges this year has brought, and that’s all thanks to you - our incredible leaders!
As an organisation we deeply value the sharing of stories, so here’s just some of the incredible member feedback we’ve received after your meals this year:
“Unforced friendly atmosphere, nice and friendly organizers and volunteers, great team. Nice people to talk to .” (Member, Belfast)
“Meeting people you don't know and sharing conversations and food is wonderful and beautiful” (Member, Birmingham)
“The talks were while preparing the food. The warm welcome from the locals. And the receipe to make my own next time.” (Member, Cardiff)
“From Longs time I feel that i have family . It was perfect and the event was completely amazing. “ (Member, Derby)
“Meeting new friends was perfect, having learnt of how to cook, having one of delicious meals, felt I was home because of much laughters and joy we had through out the session. “ (Member, Leicester)
“It truly was a welcome by lovely people. Great to meet, eat with and learn about other people. (Member, Liverpool)
“everyone was polite and loving enough to be around” (Member, Norwich)
We hope you can all take a moment to pause and take in how incredible it is that you’ve helped bring this joy, safety and friendship into the world. None of this would have been possible without you.
With Newham having joined the Local Welcome family this month, and Leeds and Manchester lined up and ready to start running meals in the coming months, we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings as we continue our 10th year as an organisation!
Let’s keep bringing the light into what is sadly very likely to be another year of fear, hostility and division for the communities we serve and help turn the tide against hatred, together.