The rise in the cost of living and increased energy bills means that many households will struggle with their heating bills this winter. People will be faced with tough decisions about when they can afford to heat their home.
To help residents, Bedford Borough Council is working with local partners to develop a Welcoming Spaces network. Welcoming Spaces will offer free, non-judgemental spaces where people can go to stay warm and maybe enjoy some company and a hot drink, or simply spend time reading a magazine or book.
The Welcoming Spaces Network will continue to grow as more organisations share their details.
If you have opened a welcoming space and would like it included on the Bedford Borough Welcoming Spaces Network please contact public.health@bedford.gov.uk.
As part of the Welcoming Spaces offer, our libraries are also providing inclusive and welcoming community spaces with free Wi-Fi and a range of activities.
Welcoming Spaces - our libraries and The Higgins Bedford
Our libraries and The Higgins Bedford (art gallery and museum) are open to offer a welcoming space.
Welcoming Spaces - our Children's Centres
Some Children's Centres in Bedford Borough are open to offer a welcoming space to families with children under 5 years old.
Welcoming Spaces - other venues
The Welcoming Spaces below are offered and operated by third parties and are not affiliated to Bedford Borough Council.
| Venue | Opening days and times | What is available | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCM (UK), Cauldwell Community Centre, 51A Althorpe Street, Bedford MK42 9HF | Thursdays: 11am–12.30pm | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, play equipment/toys, table games, free accessible parking, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, disabled facilities. | Support is available from the in-house support team, Public Health Outreach Team and Beds RCC |
| Bedford Caribbean Senior Citizens Association, Queens Park Community Centre, Marlborough Road, Queens Park, Bedford, MK40 4LG | Thursdays: 1pm - 6pm | Hot/cold drinks and snacks, jigsaw puzzles, word search/crossword magazines, adult colouring books, dominoes, sewing, arts and crafts, agile workspaces, free Wi-Fi, free accessible parking, disabled facilities. |
Activities are optional, people are welcome to drop in and have a chat. Fortnightly Lunch Club – optional, at an additional charge. Visiting professionals from Bedford Borough, Community Police |
| Bedford Players' Trust, The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford MK41 3HD | Saturdays: 9am - 1pm | Hot and cold drinks and snacks, magazines/newspapers, colouring paper/pens/crayons for children, books for children and play scripts for adults to browse, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free parking, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. | |
| Bhagwan Valmik Community Centre, 10-12 Bunyan Road, Bedford, MK42 9JB |
From 22 January 2025: Wednesdays: 1pm - 5pm |
Free car parking, free computers/devices for use, free Wi-Fi, charging facilities, hot/cold snacks and drinks, play equipment/toys, disabled toilets, baby changing facilities |
Run by volunteers from the Bhagwan Valmik Sabha Bedford and staff from Queen’s Park community Organisation (QPCO). QPCO will be delivering Carbon monoxide workshops, handing out CO2 monitors, slow cooking lessons and educating individuals on the benefits of the Cadent Priority Services Register (PSR). Regular visits from statutory groups. Punjabi interpreters on site. Arts and crafts activities. Advice and signposting available. Wednesday sessions during the holiday for children. See: qpco.org.uk/projects/welcoming-space |
| British Pakistani Welfare Association, 43 Honey Hill Road, Bedford MK40 4NP | Mondays: 12 midday – 2pm | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, TV, magazines/newspapers, agile workspaces, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free accessible parking | Information on stress management, health and wellbeing and signposting |
| Bromham Baptist Church, Village Road, Bromham, MMK43 8PJ | Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 9am – 5pm | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, library/book swap, magazines/newspapers, play equipment/toys, television, agile workspaces, free and accessible parking, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | The church also runs a coffee shop which serves hot and cold food to purchase. |
| Bunyan Meeting (the Coffee Shop), Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3EU | Wednesdays: 10am-2pm Tuesday to Saturday: 10am - 1pm |
Hot or cold drinks, free biscuits, library/book swap, free Wi-Fi, disabled facilities. | |
| Café at Project 229, 229 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8LZ | Monday to Friday: 9am - 3.30pm | Cakes and drinks at a low cost, arts and crafts, jigsaws, board games, book library, services and activities for all ages. More details are available from the café. | Soup is available on Fridays. Everyone is welcome. |
| Cherry Trees Children’s Centre, Hawkins Road, Bedford, MK42 9LS | Wednesdays: 3.30pm-4.30pm | Accessible parking and entrance, free parking, charging facilities, free Wi-Fi, hot or cold drinks and snacks, play equipment/toys, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | Family support advice, parenting, breastfeeding and domestic abuse. Access to further support and signposting for housing and benefits. |
| Centre 41, Woodside Church, Dover Crescent, Bedford MK41 8QH | Thursdays: 10am - 12 midday | Hot drinks | Signposting to relevant services such as housing advice, social prescribers and benefits support. |
| Church of the Transfiguration, 123 Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8BQ | Tuesday and Thursday 11am-5pm |
Tea, coffee and biscuits, magazines/newspapers, play equipment/toys, library/book swap, charging facilities, free and accessible parking, baby changing facilities Hot meal on Tuesdays – 12 midday to 2pm Sandwiches and pastries on Thursday – 12 midday to 2pm |
Dog friendly. CAB is present on a Tuesday, every fortnight. Pastoral support/1 to 1 support with someone with mental health experience and counselling. Free Christmas lunch on Christmas Day for anyone. |
| Deaf Access Bedfordshire (AKA Access Bedford), The Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford, MK40 3DE | Alternate Fridays from January 10 2025: 11am – 2pm |
Deaf Space information, advice and guidance service is also freely available at CVS Bedford on Thursdays for BSL users. Guests are welcome to purchase tea / coffee / other drinks each at £1 if they wish, but there is no obligation. Guests are welcome to bring lunch with them and biscuits will be offered. Accessible parking and entrance, free parking, free Wi-Fi, charging facilities, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities |
This space is tailored for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and is inclusive for BSL users. |
| Deaf Coffee Club, Woolpack Hub, 3 Commercial Road, Bedford MK40 1RB |
Friday 8 March: 11am–2pm Friday 22 March: 11am–2pm Friday 4 April: 11am–2pm Friday 19 April: 11am–2pm |
Hot drinks and sandwiches can be purchased from the Salvation Army coffee shop |
Most people that attend the drop-in are BSL users however everyone is welcome. If you’re nervous about joining, look out for volunteers wearing the Access Bedford t-shirt who will introduce you to people. |
| Holy Cross Church known as St Vincent’s, 355 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK41 0DP | Tuesdays: 1pm - 3.30pm | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, magazines/newspapers, board games and puzzles, bingo and quizzes (with prizes), knitting group, charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities | Advice on age concern help available, scams, fire hazards etc. Entertainment, guest speakers. |
| iLearn Bedford (women’s group), John Bunyan Sports & Fitness, Mile Road, Bedford, MK42 9TS | Wednesday: 10am - 12 midday | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, play equipment/toys, book swap, magazines/newspapers free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | Signposting and access to local services such as public health and more. |
| Keysoe Café, Church Road, Keysoe, Bedford, MK44 2JP | Monday to Sunday: 7.30am – 3pm | Free parking, accessible parking and entrance, free wi-fi, charging facilities, hot or cold drinks and snacks, magazines/newspapers, play equipment/toys, disables changing facilities and toilets, baby changing facilities, assistance dog friendly, agile workspaces. |
Mobile Library every other Friday at 12:30pm. Sue Ryder Grief Kind Spaces every Tuesday from 10am – 12pm (free of charge, no booking required). Hug in a Mug every Wednesday from 10.30am (free of charge, no booking required). Free meet and greets with our miniature ponies every Saturday 1pm – 2pm and Sunday 10:30am – 11:30am. No booking in advance. |
| Jubilation Centre, Moulton Avenue. Bedford MK42 0JB | Mondays: 10.30am - 14.30pm | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, library/book swap, darts and History Society, free charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | Community Wellbeing Champions, Wellbeing Activities, Citizens Advice, Up-skilling, Town Agent (cost of living) support. |
| Kempston East Methodist Church, Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8DA | Wednesdays: 11.30am - 1.30pm | Hot and cold drinks and snacks, free and accessible parking, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | |
| Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club, 134 High Street, Kempston. MK42 7BN | Every Tuesday – 9.30am - 11.30am | Hot and cold drinks and snacks, library/book swap, magazines/newspapers, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free and accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | |
| Khush Haal (women’s group), Queens Park Community Centre, 52 Marlborough Road, Bedford, MK40 4LF | Tuesdays: 10.30am - 12 midday (term time only) | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, play equipment/toys, free computers/devices for use, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. |
Urdu and Punjabi speakers on site – women only session. Khush Haal volunteers have had training on diverse topics and are able to signpost. Representative from Citizens Advice Bureaux. Information/advice/guidance on NHS Diabetes/menopause. |
| Oakley Methodist Church, High Street, Oakley, MK43 7RQ | Thursdays: 10.30am to 12 midday | Free parking, accessible parking and entrance, free wi-fi, charging facilities, hot/cold drinks and snacks, library/book swap, jigsaw exchange, play equipment/toys, disabled toilets, dog friendly, baby changing facilities. | |
| Open Doors Training and Development Trust, Christ The King, Community Hall, Harrowden Road, Bedford, MK42 0SP | Tuesdays: 11:30am - 1:45pm | Accessible parking and entrance, free parking, free computers/devices for use, hot or cold drinks and snacks, disabled facilities, agile workspaces. | Public Health information, literatures, one-to-one advice and guidance. |
| St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Goldington, MK41 0AN |
Cuppa, Cake and Chat: Mondays 1pm-4pm The lunch offerings: Thursdays 1pm-2.30pm |
Hot and cold drinks and snacks, library/book swap, magazines/newspapers, play equipment/toys, cards, board games, table tennis, free computers/devices for use at the venue, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free and accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. |
Dog friendly Host a surgery for local Councillors. Members of the community health team and community police team. Receive occasional visits from other organisations. Access to Golden Gardens, a community run garden. |
| Sri Guru Ravidass Sabha and Community Centre, Guru Ravidass Lane, Bedford MK40 1ED | Sundays: 3-4pm | Accessible parking and entrance, free carparking, free computers/devices for use, free Wi-Fi, charging facilities, hot/cold food and drink, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | Free immigration advice surgery on Sundays at 4pm |
| Wootton Methodist Church, Cause End Road, Wootton, MK43 9DE |
Sundays: 10am - 12 midday Mondays: 10am -12 midday Wednesdays: 11am -1pm |
Hot or cold drinks and snacks, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities and baby changing facilities. |
If you have opened a welcoming space and would like it included on the Bedford Borough Welcoming Spaces Network please contact public.health@bedford.gov.uk