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.
Our libraries are open to offer a welcoming space - see the library opening times here.
Some Children's Centres in Bedford Borough are open to offer a welcoming space to families with children under 5 years old.
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 |
| All Nations Church, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, MK41 7QF | Monday - Friday, 10am - 3.30pm | Hot/cold drinks, library/book swap, play equipment/toys, jigsaws, disabled access and toilet, baby changing facilities, free accessible parking, prayer room | Talking spaces - access to a trained listener |
| 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. |
| 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 | |
| British Pakistani Welfare Association, 43 Honey Hill Road, Bedford MK40 4NP |
Monday 1:30pm – 3:30pm During Ramadan, the Welcoming Space will run only on Monday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. |
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 | Sundays: 5pm-7pm Mondays: 9-5pm Tuesdays: 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 - 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. |
| Centre 41, Woodside Church, Dover Crescent, Bedford MK41 8QH | Every Thursday: 10am - 12 midday | Hot drinks | Signposting to relevant services such as housing advice, social prescribers and benefits support. |
| Christ the King, Harrowden Road, Bedford MK42 0SP | Saturday 23 March: 1pm-3pm Saturday 13 April: 1pm-3pm Saturday 11 May: 1pm-3pm | Free hot and cold drinks and biscuits, seating area, space for children to colour or play, accessible toilets and parking | A craft sale will take place at the same time. |
| 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 – noon to 2pm Sandwiches and pastries on Thursday – noon 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 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. |
| Dean and Shelton Parish Council, Dean Community Hall, Upper Dean, PE28 0T | 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, 9.30am- 12.30pm | Hot/cold drinks and snacks, library/bookswap, charging facilities, disabled access and toilet, baby changing facilities, free parking | Open to Dean and Shelton residents only. Guide dog friendly. |
| 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 noon | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, play equipment/toys, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities |
Signpost to relevant services such as benefits, housing support and medical organisations. Work in partnership with CAB and other local organisations. Advise how to navigate the cost of living crisis through working with other organisations. Mental wellbeing support. Interpreting services. |
| Jubilation Centre, Moulton Avenue. Bedford MK42 0JB | Mondays: 10.30am - 14.30pm | Hot or cold drinks and snacks, library/book swap, play equipment/toys, free charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. | Community Wellbeing Champions, Wellbeing Activities, Citizens Advice, Up-skilling – Multiply, Town Agent (cost of living) support |
| Kempston East Methodist Church, Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8DA |
Open House: Wednesdays 11.30am -1.30pm
Soup kitchen: Saturdays 4.30pm - 6.30pm |
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 to 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- 12noon (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. |
| London Road Methodist Church, 96 London Rd, Bedford MK42 0NT |
From 1 March 2024 Fridays: 11am to 1pm |
Hot and cold drinks, biscuits, board games, jigsaw puzzles and magazines, parking, disabled access . |
Hosted in the church hall. Hot soup and bread available from 12.30pm. |
| Queens Park Community Organisation, Faraday Centre, Kelvin Avenue, Bedford, MK42 9ND | Saturdays: 10am -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, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. |
Dog friendly The group is supported by an advocacy team and volunteers are trained to provide advice and signposting. Romanian interpreters on site. Signpost people to the right service and interpreters provided in most languages. |
| St Mark’s Church Community Centre, Calder Rise, Brickhill, Bedford, MK41 7UY | 7 days per week 9am-5pm | Hot and cold drinks and snacks, magazines/newspapers, play equipment/toys, period products, free computers/devices for use at the venue, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free and accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities |
Printing and office facilities Dog friendly |
| St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Goldington, MK41 0AN | Every Monday: 1pm-4pm | 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 Welcome members of the community health team and community police team Receive occasional visits from other organisations |
| Stevington Church Room, Stevington, Bedford, MK43 7QB |
Monday to Friday: 10am-midday and 3-5pm Saturday: 10am- midday |
Hot/cold drinks, snacks, Library/book swap, play equipment/toys, television, Agile workspaces, free Wi-Fi and charging facilities, free accessible parking, disabled facilities, baby changing facilities. |
Snacks are primarily chocolate and similar which have to be paid for. Activities are in the church room and not the church |
| Wootton Methodist Church, Cause End Road, Wootton, MK43 9DE | Wednesday: 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