Cost of living and community support
Warm places

Warm places are places providing people with respect, support and warmth (previously known as social spaces). 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
Warm places in 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 / Community lunch on 4th Tuesday of the month between 12.30pm and 2pm
- Contact Amanda Bairstow / Email amanda@noahspreschool.org / Call 07862 755307
- Refreshments – Free tea, coffee and biscuits on Wednesdays / Community lunch includes a main course, dessert, and tea and coffee. Please call to book
- Activities – adult colouring, jigsaw puzzles and various craft activities
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 1.30pm / Thursday 10am to 3pm
- Open Monday 23 December and closed on 24 and 26 December
- 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 Centre, Limes Avenue, Chigwell, IG7 5LP
- Let’s get together – Every Friday from 1pm to 3pm
- Closed on 27 December and 3 January
- Call 07928 511454 / Email rlewis@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.
Epping
Civic Hub, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping CM16 4BZ
- Monday 1pm to 4pm
- Call 01992 564000
- Refreshments
- Activities
- Wifi available
Epping Community Hub, Civic Offices, 323 High Street, Epping, CM16 4BZ
- Let’s get together – Every Tuesday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm
- Closed on 24 and 31 December
- Call 07789 372196 / 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.
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
- Closed from 23 December to 2 January
- Call 01992 565670 / Email enquiriesepping@pfpleisure.org
- Refreshments – vending machines available
- Wifi available
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
Oakwood Hill Community Hub, Longcroft Rise, Loughton, IG10 3NB
- Let’s get together – Every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm
- Closed on 25 December and 1 January
- Call 07763 218593 / Email clevans@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.
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
- Closed from 24 December to 1 January
- 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 Fire Station, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey EN9 1PA
Join us for a relaxing and inclusive morning of tea and coffee, conversation and community connection!
Whether you’re new to the area or a long-time resident this is a great opportunity to make new friends and try fun activities all while enjoying a delicious biscuit or two!
From 10am to 12.30pm:
- Thursday 10 October
- Thursday 24 October
- Thursday 14 November
- Thursday 28 November
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