Warm Welcome Week: Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown joins Kirkcaldy’s Warm Welcome Space for breakfast

Former Prime Minister and Kirkcaldy MP Gordon Brown visited the initiative for breakfast for a second time in his role as founding patron of the Warm Welcome Campaign.

He made the visit in Warm Welcome Week when the UK’s 6000+ Warm Welcome Spaces are celebrated.

It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of the initiative so more people can find a place of warmth and connection close to home.

It was Mr Brown’s second visit to the local space. On a visit last January in Warm Welcome Week he met dedicated volunteer Margaret, who gives her free time every week to cook hearty meals and keep guests warm with steaming mugs of tea and coffee.

His recent visit was a chance for Mr Brown and Margaret to catch up again spending time chatting and laughing.

Margaret, who has just celebrated her 80th birthday, shared the news that she had won an award for her volunteering commitment over many decades. Mr Brown presented hert with a special birthday gift and she proudly showed him her award, soon to be celebrated at a special event at the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

Mr Brown said: “Warm Welcome Week is a time to celebrate the creation of hubs of good neighbourliness, compassion, and hope in our communities. I had the warmest of welcomes at my local Warm Space in Kirkcaldy, where, like all the 6,000+ Warm Welcome Spaces across the UK, good-hearted neighbours and volunteers come together to brighten each other’s days. These spaces are powered by human kindness, companionship, and, of course, a good cup of tea and delicious food.”

“It is a testament to the dedication of thousands of volunteers, like Margaret, that since January 2025 more than 1000 new Warm Welcome Spaces have opened, including the opening of our 6000th Warm Welcome Space this week. Together they are a growing chain of hope that links one end of the country to the other, connecting communities with kindness and hope.”

Mr Brown joined guests and volunteers for a Big Welcome Breakfast, a place where the local community comes together, keeps warm, and shares a meal and a cuppa. These spaces offer far more than warmth; they offer connection, friendship, and hope.

Salvation Army Captain Andrew Manley and Warm Welcome’s Director, David Barclay, and Development Director, Ellie Palmer, welcomed the former PM and joined the Big Welcome Breakfast.

Meeting Salvation Army Lieutenant Miriam Smith from Glenrothes, Mr Brown learnt more about Warm Welcome Spaces across Fife.

During his visit he spent time talking with guests and volunteers, including one year old Grace. Last year, he first met Grace when she was a babe in arms. He spent time chatting with Grace’s dad, Andrew, who cooks breakfast for all the guests, and mum Kathryn who also works at the space.

Mr Brown heard how much people value being there, including Joan, who calls it her second home. Four older people, who all live alone said they love coming here, as it’s their only opportunity to share a meal with others. Jack, another regular at the space, is a full-time carer. The two hours he spends here a week, are the only two hours when he can truly be himself.

David Barclay, director for the Warm Welcome Campaign, added: “We were thrilled that our founding patron Gordon Brown joined us at the wonderful Kirkcaldy Warm Welcome Space. It was a real boost to guests and volunteers and a perfect way to shine a light on these spaces and celebrate Warm Welcome Week.

"We’ve already seen a huge demand for Warm Welcome Spaces this January, not only supporting people struggling to pay the bills but also offering companionship to people who might otherwise feel isolated and alone. The dark winter days of January can be extremely tough. We don’t want anyone to feel cold or alone this winter. That’s why we’re asking everyone to join us in Warm Welcome Week, to raise awareness so more people can find a place of warmth and connection close to home.”