What is Warm Welcomes?
Warm Welcomes is a network of free indoor spaces across Lewisham where anyone can drop in for warmth, a hot drink, food, and company. It runs from November to March each year, hosted at community centres, cafés, churches, mosques, temples, libraries and other local spaces that have signed up to open their doors.
You do not need to book. You do not need to bring anything. You do not need to be in a crisis. It is a place to sit, warm up, chat if you want to, or just be somewhere that is not cold. Some venues serve full meals, some do tea and biscuits, some run activities alongside the space.
Find your nearest Warm Welcome
Venues are open on different days at different times across the borough. Have a look at the map to find one near you and check when it is open.
How Warm Welcomes works
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Local venues open their doors
Cafés, community centres, faith spaces, libraries and independent businesses across the borough sign up to host warm spaces during the winter months.
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Anyone can drop in
No booking, no referral, no cost. Every venue is open to anyone who wants somewhere warm to spend time.
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Warmth, food and company
Every venue provides at least a hot drink and a warm indoor space. Many go further with meals, activities, WiFi, or someone to talk to.
Who Warm Welcomes is for
Everyone. That is the whole point.
You might come because your heating bill has become impossible and you need to sit somewhere warm for a couple of hours. You might come because you live alone and it is a way to see people. You might come because you are waiting for an appointment nearby and you want somewhere to sit down. You might come because it is cold outside and you are on your way somewhere.
Nobody asks why you are there. Nobody needs to.
Are you a business or venue?
If you run a café, community space, faith venue or business with room to spare in the winter months, you can sign up to host a Warm Welcomes space. We will support you with funding, materials, and a network of other venues.
Made possible by
Warm Welcomes is delivered in partnership with Lewisham Council and made possible by contributions from businesses, funders and residents across the borough.