

Our warm places have now changed to social spaces.
Social spaces
As the weather warms up, warm places across the Epping Forest district have become social spaces.
During the winter months many venues across the district offered a place for residents to go to stay warm, meet old friends and make new ones, play games and get access to different services.
The success of these during winter has led to many continuing to offer a place for support and company throughout summer.
Loneliness awareness week 2023
Loneliness awareness week runs from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 June. The week aims to highlight the effects of loneliness and support those in need to find social connections within their community.
Social spaces offer a place to go to make connections with others and feel less lonely.
Reduce social isolation
Councillor Smruti Patel, Cabinet Member for Community, Health and Wellbeing said:
I’m so pleased to see this initiative develop further. The support given during the colder months from the warm places showed how important projects like this are to the community and the need for them to run throughout the year.
We’ve seen how this has grown from a venue to warm up in to somewhere that is giving people the opportunity to make new friends, reduce social isolation and take part in activities they might not ordinarily participate in.
Find a social space
Venues offering a social space van be found across the Epping Forest district in Abridge, Chigwell, Epping, Loughton, Nazeing, Ongar, Sheering and Waltham Abbey.
Cost of living support
Visit our cost of living webpages for further information for support with childcare, income, housing, bills and allowances, and travel.
Epping Community Hub
The Epping Community Hub is a one-stop shop for residents to access a wide range of services for help and advice
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