Cost of living 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 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
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
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
Activities – Baby & Toddler Rhyme time Wednesday am / Therapy dogs last Saturday of the month / Story time every 3rd Saturday of the month am
Wifi available
Epping Sports Centre, 25 Hemnall Street, Epping CM16 4LU
Daily 11am to 2pm
Call 01992 565670 / Email enquiries@eppingsportscentre.org
Refreshments – vending machines 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
Activities – Toddler toy time Friday am
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
Activities – Baby & Toddler Rhyme time Tuesday am / Sensory Stay & Play for babies Tuesday pm / Toddler toy time stay & play Wednesday am / Bonnie the therapy dog 1st Saturday of the month / Story time 2nd Saturday of the month
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
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
Activities – volunteer led Baby and Toddler Tuesday am
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
Tuesday 7, 14 and 21 November – 10am to 12pm – soup lunch
Wednesday 29 November – 10am to 12pm – Community Cuppa Christmas party
Tuesday 12 December – 11am to 2pm – Community Cuppa
Tuesday 16 January – 11am to 2pm – Community Cuppa
Wednesday 31 January – 10am to 12pm – Community Cuppa
Tuesday 6 February – 11am to 2pm – Community Cuppa
Tuesday 20 and 27 February – 10am to 12pm – soup lunch
Wednesday 28 February – 10am to 12pm – Community Cuppa
Contact Julia Gale, Deputy Parish Clerk / Theydon Bois Parish Council website
Refreshments
Activities
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