Warm spaces 2025-2026

Together with our local partners we’ve created a network of warm spaces across the borough for you

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Image of the warm space

Warm Spaces are relaxed places where anyone is welcome, they are inclusive and accessible for anyone and provide a local neighbourhood space to spend the day.

They are friendly spaces that offer a little some extra for people to enjoy during the day, this could be a space that offers arts and crafts, board games, toddler zones or place spaces, knitting and crochet, computers, wifi access and snacks and refreshments.

It’s a space where visitors can come and go as they please with no need to pre-book and free access.

List of Warm Spaces with their facilities

List of Warm Spaces with their facilities

Al Madina Mosque (IG11 8YP)

Address 

2 Victoria Road, Barking, IG11 8YP

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access, Accessible Toilet, Free Wifi and Computer Access, Parking - first-come, first-served basis

What's on?

Monday 

10.30am – 11.30am 

  • Melodic Mondays – mothers and toddlers play group for babies and young children

2.00pm – 5.00pm 

  • Board Games session along with companionship, refreshments and friendly conversations
Tuesday

10.00am – 12.00pm 

  • Colouring and drawing therapy with tea and biscuits
Wednesday

12.00pm – 2.00pm 

  • Knitting and sewing for women in a warm space with tea and biscuits
Thursday

12.30pm – 2.00pm 

  • Support group accessible to all, with safe conversations, support and companionship in a warm space with refreshments.

Barking Churches Unite/The Source (IG11 7NB)

Address 

Wellbeing Centre – Vicarage Field Shopping Centre (37a Vicarage Field Shopping Centre), Ripple Road, Barking, IG11 7NB

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access, Accessible Toilet, Free Wifi and Computer Access, Parking - first-come, first-served basis

What's on?

Monday 

10.00am – 3.00pm

  • Tea, Talk & Textiles (Sewing Club)
  • Free refreshments and lunch
Tuesday

10.00am – 3.00pm

  • Chair Zumba followed by Games Club
  • Free refreshments and lunch
Wednesday

10.00am – 3.00pm

  • Open Day drop-In (a day  providing advice and support ie form filling, telephone advocacy.
  • Free refreshments and lunch
Thursday

10.00am – 3.00pm

  • Tea, Talk & Textiles (Sewing Club)
  • Free refreshments and lunch
Friday

10.00am – 3.00pm

  • Cookery Workshops
  • Free refreshments and lunch

 

Church at Barking Riverside (IG11 0FJ)

Address 

Rivergate Centre, Minter Road, Barking, IG11 0FJ

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access, Baby Changing Facilities, Toddler/Children's Space, Parking, Accessible Toilet

What's on?

Monday

9.00am – 12.00am

  • Coffee Corner with conversations space and crafts
Tuesday

9.00am – 12.00am 

  • Storytime with Playspace
Wednesday

9.00am – 12.00am 

  • Creative Session with playspace
Thursday

4.00pm – 7.00pm 

  • Movie Nights with soup 

Community Resources for Change (RM8 3YJ)

Address 

Castle Point 163, Bennett's Castle Lane, Dagenham, RM8 3YJ

Phone

20 8227 1927

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access, Baby Changing Facilities, Toddler/Children's Space, Parking, Accessible Toilet

What's on?

Monday

10.00am – 1.00pm 

  • All day drop in with hot lunch, a space for older residents and adults who want to connect, share meals and access support
Tuesday 

9.30am – 2.30pm 

  • All day drop in with hot lunch, a space for older residents and adults who want to connect, share meals and access support

12.00pm - 2.30pm 

  • Afternoon Craft & Chat, creative social sessions with lunch for older people and vulnerable adults
Wednesday 

9.30am – 11.30am

  • Open warm space

4.00pm – 7.00pm 

  • After-School Club and Community Meal with games, shared cooking for lone parents and large families (3+ children), promoting connection and practical support
Thursday

9.30am – 10am

  • Open warm space

10.00am – 2.00pm 

  • Parent & Child Activities with hot lunches; safe, friendly sessions for families with young children (0-5 years) to play, connect, and eat together.

DABD (RM10 7YP)

Address 

Pembroke Gardens, Dagenham, RM10 7YP

What's on?

Monday

10.00am – 1.00pm

  • Monday – Mindful Mondays – a space to relax and focus on wellbeing, health and mindfulness
Tuesday

10.00am – 1.00pm

  • Tots Tuesdays – a space for parents/toddlers to use our sensory room and soft play
Wednesday

10.00am – 1.00pm

  • Wellbeing Wednesdays – a focus on healthy eating and eating on a budget. Come and see what amazing foods are available from our Community Kitchen
Thursday

10.00am – 1.00pm

  • The Crafty Corner – a focus on creativity, culture and expression – share your skills or learn something new
Friday

10.00am – 1.00pm

  • Fitness Fun Fridays – a focus on exercise and socializing with full access to our outdoor gym

Ekota Academy (RM8 3HT)

Address 

Valence Library, Becontree Ave, Dagenham RM8 3HT

Contact

Phone: 020 8270 6864

Email: Contact@ekotaacademy.com

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible, Baby changing facilities, Disabled toilet facilities

What's on?

Tuesday

10.00am – 12.00pm 

  • Colouring and Drawing Therapy with tea and biscuits 

12.00 – 3.00 pm 

  • Drop-in Warm Space - one-2-one conversations, support and companionship in a warm space with hot drinks & biscuits. 
Wednesday

10.00am - 12 noon 

  • Drop-in Warm Space, conversations, support and companionship in a warm space with hot drinks & biscuits. 

12.00pm – 3.00pm 

  • Board Games, in a warm space with tea and biscuits
Thursday

10.00am – 3.00pm 

  • Support Group - support and companionship in a warm space with biscuits and hot refreshments. Topics covered: staying warm tips, nutrition tips, IT support, NHS app support. Accessible to all, with safe one-2-one conversations

Harmony House (RM9 6XN)

Address 

Harmony House, Baden Powell Close, RM9 6XN

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access, Baby Changing Facilities, Toddler/Children's Space, Free Wifi and Computer Access, Parking

What's on?

Monday

2pm to 4pm

  • GP Drop-in - Will host weekly GP drop-ins for residents who struggle to access their GP, many residents have requested this because they trust and feel comfortable at Harmony House.
Tuesday

12:30am to 3:30pm 

  • Hot Showers begin 13 January - For people who are homeless in the borough, to access toiletries, clothing and information about housing, benefits and health services

2pm to 4pm 

  • Snooker Group - A vital source of friendship and activity for local men and due to high demand, this will be a second weekly snooker group to enable more people to participate and socialise.
Wednesday

2pm to 4pm 

  • Support for Care Leavers starts 14 January - A space for young care leavers who often face loneliness and housing instability, with sessions including workshops on budgeting, independent living skills, wellbeing, employment preparation and social time.

2pm to 3pm 

  • Childcare Information Sessions - Bi-weekly sessions to help parents understand childcare funding, how to access places and what options are available locally

6pm to 7pm 

  • Afternoons Pregnancy Meet-Up, begins 14 January - A new group for expectant mothers providing emotional support and practical advice on preparing for birth and early parenting.

7pm to 8:30pm 

  • Monthly Book Club
Thursday

10am to 11:30am 

  • Chair-Based Exercise - Gently exercise session to help those with limited mobility stay active, improve strength and maintain independence – each session led by trained instructors and adapted to suit all abilities

10:30am to 11:30am

  • Card Games Group

12pm to 2pm 

  • Afternoons Luncheon Club begins 15 January (please call 1 day in advance for this) - Affordable hot meals, warm drinks and a sociable environment with themed meals, quizzes and entertainment.

2pm to 4pm 

  • Men’s Talking Group  - A relaxed space for men to talk about mental health, fatherhood, employment challenges and daily pressures – led my local men who want to support others and reduce the stigma of speaking openly about emotions and mental health. Supporting men at risk of isolation, mental health, NEET
Friday

9:30am to 11:00am 

  • Stay and Play for Mums - New group for young and single mums to share experiences and find support. Safe and welcoming environment for parents and children to play and talk in a semi-structured way, with topics for workshops include parenting, accessing childcare funding, managing wellbeing and supportive culture

10:30am to 12:00pm 

  • Mornings Knitting Group - Creative and sociable group bringing together people of all ages to learn or share knitting skills

12pm to 2pm 

  • Soup and Sandwiches Club (please call 1 day in advance for this)

Humourisk (IG11 OLG)

Address 

The Shed, The Thames Community Hub, Thames View Estate, Barking, IG11 OLG

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access, Accessible Toilet, Baby Changing Facilities, Free Wifi and Computer Access, Parking

What's on?

Tuesday

10.00am – 2.00pm 

  • Make Do and Mend, this is a creative drop-in where residents can get involved in making a range of crafts from jewellery, sewing and knitting, simple wood crafts and pyrography from recycled materials.

1.00pm – 2.00pm 

  • Ploughman’s Platter served with warm sausage roll/ vegetarian rolls or patty
Wednesday

10.00am – 11.00am 

  • Refreshments: warm scones with jam and butter

10.00am – 12.00pm 

  • Drop-in session; Weekly Drop in for vulnerable residents with social anxiety and flexible to meet the complex health needs of local people. Drop-ins offer a calming space for bead making and crafts, making decorations, for different cultural celebrations, e.g., Christmas, Easter, Eid (mobiles), Ramadan (Lanterns) etc

12:00pm – 1:00pm 

  • Lunch and warm food

12.00pm – 3.00pm 

  • Shed Screen; with darker afternoons, the shed will screen films, a range of films of historical and cultural interest, national and international chosen by residents, followed by group discussions.
Thursday

10.00am – 12.00pm 

  • Shed TALK; relaxed session set up with board games and tabletop games, played in pairs or small groups. This welcoming calm space where people can chat and supported by facilitations. Warm drinks, refreshments will be provided.

1.00pm – 2.00pm 

  • Ploughman’s Platter served with warm sausage roll/ vegetarian rolls or patty

Kingsley Hall (RM9 5NB)

Address 

Kingsley Hall, Parsloes Avenue, RM9 5NB

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access, Accessible Toilet, Baby Changing Facilities, Toddler/Children's Space, Free Wifi and Computer Access

What's on?

Monday

9.00am – 3.00pm

  • Free access to fresh hot soup & daily recreational activities including Body Balance, Ping Pong, Arts & Crafts and Community Choir, children’s Play and Stay, Pathways help desk
Tuesday

9.00am – 3.00pm

  • Open warm space
Wednesday

9.00am – 3.00pm

  • Open warm space
Thursday

5.00pm – 9.00pm 

  • Free access to whole household pizza, discussion groups, quizzes & games
Friday

2.00pm – 5.00pm

  • Open warm space

10.00am – 12.00pm 

  • Knit and natter, includes free access to hot soup and teach, listening lounge and pathways help desk
Saturday

12.00am – 4.00pm 

  • Free access to fresh hot soup and pizza slice, children’s Play and Stay, community cinema viewings, listening lounge, Pathways help desk
Sunday

12.00am – 4.00pm 

  • Includes free access to fresh hot soup and pizza slice, children’s Play and Stay, listening lounge, Pathways help desk, community singalongs