Warm Welcome Spaces Across Waltham Forest
From the 1st of December 2025 to 13th March 2026 leisure centres operated by Better across Waltham Forest are encouraging residents to attend the Warm Welcome Spaces. It is part of a UK wide scheme to tackle issues from the cost-of-living crisis mainly the expense of heating homes and to reduce social isolation particularly for the increasingly ageing population.
In Waltham Forest, there is a Warm Welcome Space every working day of the week in the leisure centres we operate.
In addition to keeping locals warm we want to get older adults socialising so provide board games and cards. If that’s not enough, how about we get you moving, with options such as Chair Based Exercise, Table Tennis, and Short Mat Bowls. Activities offered vary by location. If you are attending a free class, please allow time to manually register.
The programme is shown below:
Monday
Chingford Leisure Centre 11:00-13:00
Chair Based Exercise 11:45-12:30
Tuesday
Walthamstow Leisure Centre 10:30-13:00
Aeorobics Basics 10:30-11:30 and Bat and Chat 11:00-13:00
Wednesday
Score Leisure Centre 11:00-13:00
Walking Football 11:00-12:00 and Pickleball 12:00-13:00
Leyton Leisure Centre 11:00-13:00
Virtual Group Cycle 11:15-11:45 and Board Games
Thursday
Leytonstone Leisure Centre 9:30-12:00
Virtual Group Cycle 10:30-11:00 and Board Games
Friday
Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre 10:30 - 14:00
Short Mat Bowls 10:30-12:30, Pickleball 11:00-12:00 or Short Tennis 12:00-14:00
Whilst the sessions are aimed at older adults, they are welcome to anyone who feels they can benefit from the service be it for the hot beverage or the connectivity.
A representative from Warm Welcome UK said, “The difference the spaces make to communities is remarkable; they bring connection, friendship, and human warmth, helping people feel less isolated and lonely and boosting wellbeing.”
Our Warm Welcome Spaces sessions are for everyone in our community, so please help us spread the information and share this article in resident groups, through work contacts or on your social media.