Warm Space, Ruskington
The group grew out of the start of the cost of living issues almost 3 years ago. The Methodist church in the village has a space where people can gather for companionship, refreshments - in fact they started with the mantra "don't be cold, don't be hungry, don't be lonely."
Since November 2022, the church has made the space available every Friday during school term times from 11am-3pm, and more recently there have even been 2 groups in August to continue supporting those that need it.
There are always refreshments available for any guests, without charge, which can be anything from the simple tea and a biscuit to a lunch of soup and bread. Once refreshed, guests can chat with friends, new and old, or even bid to become the new WS Scrabble champion (although there is never any scoring, so this might be difficult!). There is a large bookcase where guests can get a "new to them" read, and also donate any book they no longer want, and most weeks there is something of a crafty nature going on.
The group is managed by Rebecca Guilliatt, Sleaford Methodist Circuit Support Worker (covering Billinghay, Dunston and Ruskington) and she manages the rota for the volunteers, and now has lots of connections in the area so that there are sometimes visiting speakers offering help and advice (such as the NHS, Fire Service), entertainers or local people offering craft classes and the like. There are plenty of seasonal activities such as the Christmas Party, Easter crafternoons, poppy making for Remembrance Day, and a commemoration and celebration for VE Day 80.
Since the inception of Warm Space in Ruskington, there have been many people benefitting on a weekly, or ad hoc basis from the warm welcome and incredible atmosphere that they receive from everyone in attendance.
As I can't always attend on a Friday afternoon, I have always baked a cake for my husband to take with him and share - best ice breaker ever!! Now it has reached the point where the regular guests don't say "Where's XXXX (my husband)?" they say "Where's the cake?!" and when it does arrive, there is a clamour to be the first to find out what the cake is! Most recently, there was a celebration of VE 80 with a buffet, musical entertainment and singing of typical songs of the era and, of course, CAKE!
