Neighbours across the UK invited to share a meal (and some kindness) this World Kindness Day
Written by: Celia Mellow (Co-Director)
Posted on: 13 November 2026
Embargoed: 00.01, Friday 13th November
World Kindness Day is 13 November 2026
Charity Local Welcome spreading kindness by monthly community lunches which are prepared and shared together
Volunteers of all ages welcome newcomers to the community who are often socially isolated and experiencing hardship
Charity plans to double the number of groups running meals by 2030
A UK charity bringing refugees and their neighbours together over the simple act of cooking and eating together has grown by more than half in a year, and now plans to reach 20 towns and cities by 2030. Over the Summer alone, 980 hours of social contact were created by Local Welcome meals - a 70% increase from the previous Summer. The charity’s recent member impact survey found that 8 out of 10 of those who attend meals feel their group is growing more trusting over time.
Co-designed by refugees and their host communities, Local Welcome meals minimise ‘us and them’ dynamics, and those who take part feel more welcome and connected in the place they call home.
“They understand us better after interacting with us. They see that not people are different like their own.”
“Most refugees or asylum seekers are stranded in hotels and in their different homes without knowing what’s happening out there. Through Local Welcome meals many are in a position to get out, move around, meet new people, connect, laugh…”
Local Welcome’s growth is both hopeful and poignant, as a recent study revealed that almost 50% of British adults don't participate in any community organisation, groups or clubs. Moreover, in a year where there's been an increase in extremist activity in the UK in the UK, Local Welcome’s leaders and members have counteracted this with acts of kindness - increasing the amount of safe spaces for people to meet as strangers, cook side by side and eat together as friends.
More press images available here. Please credit Sublime Snapshot Photography for all photos.
Celia Mellow, Co-Director, Local Welcome said:
“Today’s world feels increasingly unkind - algorithms are sowing hatred, division and misinformation, making us suspect each other of acting unkindly and/or having unkind intentions. As communities across the UK face both existing and anticipated challenges and uncertainties, Local Welcome helps people answer the question "What practical thing can I do to spread kindness and offer welcome in my local community?”. With our proven, simple and scalable model I’m confident that community-strengthening kindness disseminated by Local Welcome meals is a small yet powerful part of the answer.”
Lived Experience Advocates Group (LEAG), Local Welcome said:
“Through our roles as Lived Experience Advocates Group members we work to strengthen trust between Local Welcome and the communities we represent, gather more people to share food with and build new friends, and help grow Local Welcome’s reach to every corner of the UK.”
Nick Gretton, Chair of Trustees, Local Welcome said:
“Speaking as someone born and raised in the UK, I think it is easy to overlook the value of people who have sought sanctuary in this country and who are keen to engage and contribute; often they have escaped dangers and hardships, only to be faced with suspicion or even hostility here. In a world of polarisation and turmoil, the challenge to build diverse, resilient, and powerful communities acting together for the common good remains as important as ever.”
Do you want to make a positive difference in your local community?:
Make friends and delicious food with your neighbours:
Sign up to attend meals at your local group: localwelcome.org/get-involved
Express interest in setting up a group: localwelcome.org/set-up-a-group
Donate to support Local Welcome’s work: localwelcome.org/support
ENDS
Contact: Celia Mellow - press@local-welcome.org
Further interviews available.
Press images available here. Please credit Sublime Snapshot Photography for all photos.
Website: localwelcome.org
Instagram: @localwelcome
Facebook: /localwelcome
LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/company/localwelcome
Blog: localwelcome.org/blog
About Local Welcome:
Local Welcome supports people in cities across the UK who want to make a difference in their community, by growing and leading diverse membership groups that cook, eat, and take action together. Founded in 2015 during the Syrian refugee crisis, the charity has run over 400 Local Welcome meals nationally, creating over 16,000 hours of new social connections between people who might not have otherwise met.
Designed according to social contact theory, the Local Welcome meal ‘ritual’ facilitates the sharing of tasks between all members, helping to build trust and reduce the power imbalance often present in other volunteering experiences.