Hillingdon Warm Spaces Offering
This year Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex has been designated as a Warm Welcome Space by GLL, the not-for-profit charitable social enterprise that operates local leisure centres on behalf of Hillingdon Council.
Warm Welcome exists to turn poverty and isolation into warmth and local connection through the power of local spaces made by and for the community. Formed in the depths of the worst Cost of Living Crisis in 70 years, the campaign emerged as a collective response to resource, champion and connect Warm Welcome Spaces in every community across the UK.
The Centre will offer anyone living in the vicinity of a participating leisure centre a warm welcome, comfortable seating, free taster session (once a month), the opportunity to charge a phone or device, use the free Wi-Fi or even have a hot shower. We will also be offering one free hot drink of tea or coffee per visit served at The Café by Grub and Chips, just let their friendly team know that you are here for the scheme.
The Warm Space will be open to all, both leisure centre members and non-members alike on Mondays and Fridays 12:00-13:00 (running from 1st December until 31st March). Alongside Warm Spaces on the first Monday of every month between 10:00-12:00 residents over the age of 50 will be able to try Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex’s Senior Club for free. These sessions include a range of non-prescriptive activities such as badminton, table tennis, short mat bowls, darts, dominos and bespoke stretching.
Commenting on the Warm Spaces initiative Chris Parker, General Manager at Hillingdon Sports and Leisure Complex said: “As a facility at the heart of our local community we quickly became aware that a number of local residents were concerned that they might struggle to heat their homes this winter and as a charitable social enterprise we wanted to help.
Leisure centres are ideally suited to serve as warm spaces, they are easily accessible, known to everyone and a natural meeting place. Our staff will be on hand to offer a warm welcome to anyone wishing to make the most of our warm space during the difficult months ahead.”