Social spaces

Social spaces are places providing people with support and company (previously known as warm places). Find a warm welcome at one of our many sites across the Epping Forest district.

Contact us for information:

• Call 01992 910701 or 07967 726851 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Social spaces in the Epping Forest district

Buckhurst Hill

Buckhurst Hill Library, 165 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill IG9 5AZ

• Monday and Wednesday 9.30am to 5pm / Tuesday 9am to 7pm / Thursday 9am to 1pm / Saturday 9am to 5pm
• Email buckhurst.library@essex.gov.uk
• Activities – Baby & Toddler Rhyme time Tuesday am
• Wifi available

Noah’s Ark Community Hub, St Elisabeth’s Hall, Chestnut Avenue, Buckhurst Hill IG9 6EP

• Wednesdays 10am to 2pm
• Contact Julie Willis / Email julie@noahspreschool.org / Call 07870 347713 or 0208 252 3273
• Refreshments – Free tea, coffee and cake, with a soup lunch served from 12 noon

Chigwell

Chigwell Library, Hainault Road, Chigwell IG7 6QX

• Friday 2pm to 5.30pm
• Email Chigwell.library@essex.gov.uk
• Activities – Baby & Toddler Rhyme time Saturday am
• Wifi available

Chigwell Parish Council, Chigwell Community Hall, Hainault Road, Chigwell IG7 6QX

• Tuesday 10am to 2pm / Thursday 10am to 3pm
• Call 020 8501 4275 / Chigwell Parish Council website
• Activities – Tea room, TV & music Tuesday / Knitting group, cards, crafts & music Thursday
• Small charge for refreshments
• Wifi available

Limes Farm Community Café, Limes Centre, Limes Avenue, Chigwell IG7 5LP

• Monday 9am to 10.30am
• Limes Farm Community Group – email limesfarmcg@gmail.com
• Small charge for refreshments
• Activities

Epping

Civic Hub, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping CM16 4BZ

• Monday 1pm to 4pm
• Call 01992 564000
• Refreshments
• Activities
• Wifi available

Epping Library, St John’s Road, Epping CM16 5DN

• Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm
• Email Epping.Library@essex.gov.uk
• Wifi available

Epping Sports Centre, 25 Hemnall Street, Epping CM16 4LU

• Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm
• Call 01992 565670 / Email enquiriesepping@pfpleisure.org
• Refreshments – vending machines available
• Wifi available

Let’s get together – The Epping Community Hub, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, CM16 4BZ

• Every Tuesday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm
• Call 01992 564222 / Email kmurray@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
• These free weekly sessions are run by Epping Forest District Council’s Community, Development and Wellbeing team and are open to the whole community.
• Come along and get to know others in your local area. Learn a new skill, play a few games, or just relax and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat. No need to book, just turn up.

Loughton

Debden Library, New City College, Borders Lane, Loughton IG10 3SA

• Tuesday and Thursday 2pm to 5pm and Friday and Saturday 9am to 1pm
• Email debden.library@essex.gov.uk
• Wifi available

Epping Forest Campus, New City College, Borders Lane, Loughton IG10 3SA

• Tuesday 5pm to 8.30pm
• Call 020 8502 8601 / Email ReceptionEpping@NCCLondon.ac.uk / Epping Forest Campus website
• Refreshments – Tea, coffee and biscuits
• Wifi available

Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton IG10 1HD

• Monday 9am to 7pm / Tuesday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm / Saturday 9am to 5pm
• Email loughton.library@essex.gov.uk
• Wifi available

Oakwood Hill Community Centre, Longcroft Rise, Loughton IG10 3NB

• Thursday 9.30am to 1pm
• Call 020 3941 0198 / Email Jo.mackey@restorecommunity.org.uk
• Refreshments
• Wifi available

St Mary’s Church, 201 High Road, Loughton, IG10 1BB

• Monday 3.15pm to 5.30pm
• St Mary’s Loughton website
• Activities – knitting group, table tennis, lego, crafts

St Mary’s Church Cafe, 201 High Road, Loughton IG10 1BB

• Monday to Friday 9.15am to 2.45pm
• St Mary’s Loughton website
• Refreshments – free tea and coffee / soup cards
• Activities – pay it forward scheme / warm clothing exchange

Nazeing

St Giles Church and Community Hub, Nazeing Road, Nazeing EN9 2HU

• Saturdays in February and March from 10am to 12 noon
• Nazeing Church website
• Refreshments available
• Activities – Board games, quizzes, special guest talks / discussions, food parcel collection
• Wifi available

North Weald

North Weald Library, 138 High Road, North Weald, Epping CM16 6BZ

• Tuesday 9am to 1pm / Thursday 2pm to 5.30pm / Saturday 9am to 5pm
• Email northweald.library@essex.gov.uk
• Wifi available

Ongar

Chipping Ongar Library, The Pleasance, High Street, Chipping Ongar CM5 9AB

• Tuesday 9am to 1pm / Wednesday 9am to 7pm / Friday 9am to 5.30pm / Saturday 9am to 5pm
• Email chippingongar.library@essex.gov.uk
• Activities – Baby & Toddler Rhyme time Wednesday am
• Wifi available

Ongar Leisure Centre, The Gables, Fyfield Road, Ongar CM5 0GA

• Daily 11am to 2pm
• Call 01277 363969 / email enquiries@ongarleisurecentre.org
• Refreshments – vending machines available

St James’ Church, St James’ Avenue, Marden Ash, Ongar CM5 9EL

• Monday 1pm to 5pm / Thursday 9am to 12pm
• Call 01277 366047 or 07507 274872
• Refreshments
• Activities – board games / knitting

Sheering

Sheering Village Hall, The Street, Sheering CM22 7LX

• Wednesday 2.30pm to 4.30pm
• Call 07396 703119 / email SheeringVH@outlook.com
• Refreshments – bottomless tea, coffee and cakes
• Activities – social opportunities
• Wifi available

Theydon Bois

St Mary’s Church Hall, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois CM16 7ER

• Last Wednesday in month (except August) from 10am to 12noon
• Contact Julia Gale, Deputy Parish Clerk / Call 07927 581856 / Email parishclerk@theydonbois-pc.gov.uk / Theydon Bois Parish Council website
• Refreshments
• Activities – Board games, etc and repair café

Waltham Abbey

Epping Forest District Museum Community Café, 39 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1EL

• Wednesday 12 noon to 1.45pm
• Call 01992 716882
• Refreshments
• Activities

Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre, Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey EN9 3EL

• Monday to Friday 7am to 9pm / Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm
• Call 01992 716733 / email enquiries@walthamabbeyleisurecentre.org
• Refreshments – available from cafe
• Activities – pay as you go for swim and gym
• Wifi available

Waltham Abbey Library, 37 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey EN9 1EL

• Monday and Tuesday 9am to 5.30pm / Wednesday 9am to 1pm / Friday 9am to 7pm / Saturday 9am to 5pm
• Email walthamabbey.library@essex.gov.uk
• Activities – Baby & Toddler Rhyme time Friday am / Knitting Wednesday am
• Wifi available