As winter draws in and the weather takes a turn for the worse, we have been working with our local partners to identify safe places that can provide free and welcoming warm spaces for our residents.

These are non-judgemental spaces where people could visit to enjoy some company, meet new people or simply relax, read or work while staying warm.

Please let us know if you have opened a warm community space and would like to be included in our list.

Libraries

All six libraries across the borough are open to everyone, offering a warm and welcoming space and free WiFi.

There are also plenty of community-managed libraries across the borough. The following offer a warm space for residents:

• Bexley Village Community Library, Bourne Road, Bexley DA5 1LU - Thursdays 10am to 1pm
• North Heath Community Library, 23 Mill Road, Erith DA8 1HW – Tuesdays 10am to 1pm
• Belvedere Community Library, Woolwich Road, Belvedere DA17 5EQ – Mondays 10am to 1pm

Find out more about our library opening hours and their regular events

Age UK Befriending Cafes

Geddes Place Church, Geddes Place, Bexleyheath, DA6 7DJ

• Bexleyheath Befriending Café – Monday 11am to 1pm
• Bexleyheath men’s Group – Wednesday 11am to 1 pm

Belvedere Community Centre, Mitchell Close, Belvedere, DA17 6AA

• Belvedere Befriending Café – Tuesday 11am to 1pm

Erith and Belvedere Football Club, Park View road, Welling, DA16 1SY

• Welling Women’s Group – Wednesday 10.30am to 12.30pm

Blackfen Community Library, 7-9 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Road, Sidcup, DA15 9LU

• Blackfen Befriending Café – Thursday 10.30am to 12.30pm

Lake View Court, Central Way, London, SE28 8GL

• Thamesmead Befriending Café – Monday and Thursday 11am to 1pm

Wolsley House, Wolsley Close, Crayford, DA1 4BE

• Crayford Befriending Café – Friday 2pm to 4pm

The first visit is free, with the opportunity to sign up as a member for £10 per month for unlimited Befriending Café visits for free tea, coffee and biscuits.

More events and activities by Age UK Bexley

Blackfen Community Library, 7 - 9 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen DA15 9LU

• Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm
• Saturday 9.30am to 3pm

We have a variety of activities and events, with Wi-Fi, computers and laptops available for people to use for free. We have work areas and comfortable seating for people to hang out. We have an affordable coffee shop on site selling hot drinks, breakfast, lunches and treats.

They are open to anyone.

More about our Warm Welcome Space

Carers Support Bexley

Wolsley House, Wolsley Close, Crayford, DA1 4BE

• Music for Memory - Monday 2pm to 3.30pm
• Memory Support Group – Wednesday 11am to 1pm
• Café/Drop-in for Carers – Every other Friday 11am to 1pm

Blackfen Community Library, 7-9 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Road, Sidcup, DA15 9LU

• Memory Support Group – Tuesday 11am to 1pm

More events by Carers Support Bexley

Christ Church, Bexleyheath Broadway, Bexleyheath, DA6 7BT

CCB short mat bowls club 

• Mondays between 1pm to 4pm 
• BB Hall

Knitting Group

• Tuesdays between 10am to 12 noon
• New Room

Waiting list in operation Email christchurchbexleyheath@gmail.com for more information.

Sunbeams - under 5s playgroup

• Thursdays during term time between 10.30am to 12 noon
• Roberts Hall
• £2 a child

Bible Group

• Fridays between 10am to 11.30am
• New Room

Email christchurchbexleyheath@gmail.com to book a spot.

Stella Active Health

• Fridays between 2pm to 3pm
• Pincott Hall
• £6 a class

Josie’s Vintage Café - breakfast at very low prices plus a listening ear

• Saturdays between 10am to 12:30pm 
• New Room

Sunday Church Services

• Sundays at 8am, 10am and 6pm 
• Church

Lunchtime Concert

• First Wednesday of each month (except August 2024) 
• 12pm (£5 Lunch) and 1pm (free Concert)
• Church

U3A

• Second Thursday of each month at 1.45pm
• Church

Membership information is on the door - Bexley U3A.

Visit Christ Church Bexleyheath's website

The Holy Redeemer, Sidcup, 64 Days Lane, Sidcup, DA15 8JR

Community Café

Every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm

Find out about other events at The Holy Redeemer Sidcup

Irish Community Services

The Irish Centre Ground Floor, Westhill House, 2B Devonshire Road, Bexleyheath, DA6 8DS

• Aggie’s Café – Wednesday 10.30am to 1.30pm

Find out more about Irish Community Services

St Augustine, Slade Green, Slade Green Road, Slade Green, DA8 2HX

Community Café is registered as a warm space, free of charge and Is dementia-friendly.

• 11am to 12.30pm - tea, coffee and cake
• 12.30pm to 2pm - soup and sandwiches

Visit the St Augustine's website for further information

St James, Blendon, Corner of Bladindon Drive, Penhill Road, Bexley, DA5 3BP

Place of Welcome

Wednesday 1pm to 3pm

A space offering free coffee, tea, biscuits and cakes, conversation, and board games.

Visit the St James Church website for further information

St John the Baptist, West Street, Erith, DA8 1AN

St John's Silver Birch Club

Every first Thursday from 12pm to 2.30pm

Join us for free hot food, chats and games.

Visit the St John Church website for further information

St John the Evangelist Church, Church Road, Sidcup, DA14 6BX

Winter warmer

A space with board games, books, and places for people to chat, read, or study. Toddler play area and a quiet area for working and studying.

Free Wi-Fi. Refreshments are provided including hot drinks.

• Tuesday 2.30pm to 3.30pm - singing group for anyone with memory issues/living with dementia and his/her carer - tea, coffee and cake provided - free
• Wednesday 10am to 1pm - everyone welcome - coffee, tea, cakes, children's area, Wi-Fi - free
• Saturday 10am to 12 noon - everyone welcome - pancakes, fruit and sauces - free

Find out more about Winter warmer

Place of welcome

Free coffee (and other hot drinks), delicious cakes, biscuits, free Wi-Fi, children’s corner and a chat or a time of quiet.

• every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm

Find out more about Place of welcome

St Paulinus Church, Crayford, Perry Street, Crayford, DA1 4RL

Bereavement Café

A free, warm and welcoming café for anyone to come and speak to someone about their loss.

Visit the St Paulinus Church website for further information

The Exchange, The Old Library, Walnut Tree Road, Erith, DA8 1RS

Our doors are open for all to use our 'Town Square' - the main space at The Exchange

• every Wednesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4.30pm

You can use the space to work, study, meet, or simply to keep warm, for free. You can also find out about what else is going on in the local area including information about local support service.

Free - no booking required.

Find out more about The Exchange

Welling Salvation Army, 124 Welling High Street, Welling, DA16 1TJ

Coffee Morning - no charge, but donations are welcome.

• Fridays from 10am to 12pm
• Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm

Find out more about Welling Salvation Army

New Community Church, 24 Station Road, Sidcup, DA15 7DU

• coffee bar opens Wednesdays from 9am

Workspace, Warm space, free wifi, mobile phone charging and hot drinks.

Find out more about New Community Church

St Andrews Church, Marylands Drive, Albany Park, DA14 4RY

• fill my cup Friday 10am to 12pm

Free hot drinks, cake and biscuits, free wifi, activities and books to take away.

Find out more about St Andrew’s

Peabody - Cosy Corners

Peabody has introduced Cosy Corners at some of their community centres based in and around Thamesmead and everyone is welcome.

Each provides:

• free tea and coffee
• energy saving advice
• use of charging points
• get support and advice about the cost of living

Visit the Peabody website for further information

The Salvation Army, Lion Road, Bexleyheath, DA6 8NR

• we invite you to our Warm Space on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 2pm

During this time we provide free tea/coffee and cake as well as soup and a roll from 12pm.

We also provide free Wi-Fi.

All free of charge! - all ages welcome.

For more information, call 020 8092 7256.

Europa Gym, Vimy Way, Crayford, DA1 4FA

• Coffee shop Vimys is open Mon and Fri 12pm to 2pm. Warm space, free Wi-Fi, mobile phone charging point, hot drinks and food for sale