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 Warm Spaces network. Warm 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 Warm Spaces network will continue to grow as more organisations share their details.
If you have opened a warm space and would like it included on the Bedford Borough Warm Spaces Network please contact public.health@bedford.gov.uk.
As part of the Warm Spaces offer, our libraries are also providing inclusive and welcoming community spaces with free Wi-Fi and a range of activities.
Warm Spaces - our libraries
Our libraries are open to offer a warm space - see the library opening times here.
Warm Spaces - Children's Centres
Some Children's Centres in Bedford Borough are open to offer a warm space to families with children under 5 years old.
Warm Spaces - other venues
The Warm Spaces below are offered and operated by third parties and are not affiliated to Bedford Borough Council (with the exception of The Higgins Bedford).
| Venue name, address and contact details | Opening days and times | What is available | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Nations Church, 79 Brickhill Drive Bedford MK41 7QF
01234 273773 / office@allnationsbedford.org |
Mondays 9.30am to 4pm |
Hot drinks station, soup, books, games and puzzles, television, Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile devices |
Accessible entrance, accessible toilets |
|
All Saints’ Warmth Café, Westbourne Road, Queen’s Park, Bedford, MK40 4LD Richard Ward 07885 294415 / richardap1957@gmail.com |
Every Friday 2pm to 4pm Every Saturday 11am to 1pm. Starting 20 January, ending 4th March 2023. |
Free hot and cold drinks, soup, biscuits and cake, Wi-Fi and mobile charging points, disabled toilets and baby changing facilities.
|
Free car parking facility adjoining the venue, access is via door next to car park. |
|
Bedford Beacon, Bedford Wellbeing Centre, 3A Woburn Road, Bedford MK40 1EG |
Every Thursday 5.30pm to 9pm |
Group activities, one to one support, opportunities to make friends, hot drinks and snacks, chill-out space |
|
| Bromham Baptist Church, Village Road, Bromham, MK43 8PJ
Revd Stephen Thompson 01234 822681 / office@bromham.org |
Every Monday 9am to 5pm |
Tea and coffee, soup, Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile devices
|
Free car parking |
|
Bunyan Meeting, Mill Street, Bedford MK40 2NB Chris Bamforth Damp 07702 270086 / chrisdamp@mac.com |
Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 1pm | Snacks, tea and coffee | |
|
Church of the Transfiguration,132 Bedford Rd, Kempston, Bedford MK42 8BQ 01234 635721 |
Monday: 11am to 5pm Tuesday: 9.30am to 5pm Thursday: 9.30am to 5pm Sunday: 9am to 5pm |
Hot drinks and biscuits on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – out of café hours as well. Tuesday and Thursday: Free lunch 12pm to 2pm Sunday: Church services may be on |
|
|
Church Lane Community Centre, 147 Church Lane, Bedford MK41 0PW 07816 044007 / info@churchlanecentre.com |
Friday 1pm to 5:30pm | Hot drinks, hot food made fresh on the premises, games, Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile devices, highchairs, soft drinks and food for children | Accessible toilets, accessible entrance |
|
Cotton End Baptist Church, Church Hall, Cotton End, MK45 3AA 01234 742769 / information@cottonendbaptistchurch.co.uk |
Tuesdays 8:45am – 10:30am |
Hot drinks, Wi-Fi and sockets for charging mobile devices
|
Accessible entrance, accessible toilets |
|
Cotton End Village Hall. The Play fields, Wood Lane, Cotton End MK45 3AU Angela Stimson 01234 743858 |
Thursdays 10am to 2pm January, February, March | Hot drinks and soup | |
|
Dean and Shelton Parish Council, Dalton Community Hall, High Street Farm. Upper Dean PE28 0LY Carol Pattison cdpattiso@yahoo.co.uk |
First and third Thursday of every month 10am to 12pm, starting Thursday 19 January. | For local villagers only - hot drinks and cake | |
|
Elstow Manor Care Home, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6FZ (Opposite the Wixams Retirement Village) Val Foley 07909076653 / valerie.foley@hamberleycarehomes.co.uk |
Monday to Friday 2pm to 4pm. Contact Val Foley for other times. | Hot drinks machine, chill out space, bistro area, free Wi-Fi, magazines / reading material, fleece blankets (first come basis). | Accessible toilets, accessible entrance, free parking, electric charging bays. |
|
Great Denham Community Hall 86-88 Saxon Way, Great Denham, Bedfordshire, MK40 4GP |
Mondays 11am to 4pm Thursdays 10am to 12pm |
Tea and coffee, biscuits (optional donations are welcome), free Wi-Fi, access to plug sockets, toilets. | Accessible toilets, accessible entrance, free car parking. |
|
The Higgins Art Gallery and Museum, Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3XD thehiggins@bedford.org.uk / 01234 718618 |
Warm Space room: Friday 11am to 4pm (General opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm)
|
Galleries showcasing temporary and permanent exhibitions open to the public. Fridays only: Warm Space Room with board games and puzzles, Wi-Fi, charging points. |
Accessible toilets |
|
Holy Cross RC Church, 355 Goldington Road, Bedford, MK41 0DP Charles Moubarak moubarak@sky.com / 07971 849135 |
Tuesdays 1:30pm - 4pm | Tea and coffee, soup, snacks, books and magazines, sockets for charging mobile devices, games and puzzles, place to sit quietly |
Free car parking, accessible entrance, accessible toilet. |
|
iLearn Bedford, John Bunyan sport centre, Mile Road, Ralley Rahman 07715881582 iLearn_bedford@outlook.com |
Wednesdays 9am to 12pm | Snacks, cooked food, fruit, hot and cold drinks, arts and crafts, fitness, social English, sewing, healthy eating discussions and professional speakers. |
|
|
Kempston East Methodist Church Hall, off Foster 01234 930882 |
Wednesday 10am to 2pm | Coffee and light lunch, free Wi-Fi. | Entrance is via the main Halls Foyer in the car park on Foster Road. |
|
Kempston Hammers Sports and social Club, 123 High Street Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7BN 01234 853262 / khsscoffice@gmail.com |
Tuesday morning 9am to 12pm |
Hot drinks, cake, tv, radio, free Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile phones. |
Accessible entrance, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, free car parking |
|
Kempston Swimming Pool Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, MK42 8SZ 01234 843777 |
6:30am to 9pm Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday |
Wi-Fi, hot and cold drinks, snack vending machines. |
|
|
Khush Hall Women's Group Marie-Ange 07824035000 / qpco.bedford@gmail.com |
Tuesdays (term time only) between 10.30am and 12pm Closed for Ramadan. Starts again after Ramadan on the 25 April. |
Hot drinks, biscuits, art and craft activities, sewing, knitting, singing, cooking lessons, professional speakers (Wellbeing centre, NHS etc.) | Professionals attending the group, signposting people to the right organisation, interpreting, foodbank vouchers. |
|
Miracle Church of God in Christ, 36-38 Alexandra Road, Bedford MK40 1JB pastorpstapleton@miraclecogic.org.uk 07910647070 / 01234 215081 |
Tuesdays 11am to 2pm | Snacks, hot/cold drinks, snacks, free sockets for charging mobile devices | Accessible toilets, accessible entrance, free car parking, baby changing facilities |
|
Queen's Park Community Centre, Marlborough Road, Queen’s Park, Bedford MK40 4LE Richard Lewis Ward richardap1957@gmail.com / 07885294415 |
Wednesdays 1pm - 3pm Closed for Ramadan. Please call to check opening times after Ramadan. |
Hot/cold drinks, snacks, magazines, play equipment / toys, Wi-Fi, charging points for mobile devices |
Free car park. Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. |
|
Riseley Community, 3 Hunters Yard, Riseley MK44 1EN |
Wednesdays 2pm to 4pm | Wi-Fi and charging points | Limited parking |
|
Riseley Community, All Saints Church, Church Lane, Riseley MK44 1ER |
Tuesdays 10am to 12pm |
Wi-Fi and charging points available, hot drinks, board games. |
On street parking |
|
Riseley Community, The Giddy Goat Coffee Shop, High Street, Riseley MK44 1DR |
Mondays 10am to 12pm | Wi-Fi and charging points | Parking |
|
Scott Hall Community Centre Barford Avenue (Jubilation Action Group), Bedford, MK42 0DX Shirley Claxton Jagbeds@outlook.com |
Tuesdays 9:30 – 12:30 |
Tea, coffee, snacks and magazines, Wi-Fi, charging points for mobile devices. |
Free car parking, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. |
|
St Andrews Church, Kimbolton Road, MK40 2PF 01234 216881 / info@standrewsbedford.org |
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm |
Hot drinks, money advice, Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile devices. |
Accessible entrance, accessible toilets |
|
Stevington Church Room, Stevington, Bedfordshire MK43 7QB John Hirst 01234 825212 / john@hirst1.plus.com |
Mon to Friday 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm. Saturday 10am to 12pm | Hot or cold drinks, snacks, books, magazines, play equipment, toys, TV, car park, Wi-Fi, charging points, baby changing facilities. |
Accessible toilets |
|
St Marys Church, Church Lane, Goldington, MK41 0AP (for sat nav use MK41 0HN) 01234 351920 / office@stmarygoldington.org.uk |
Every Monday 1pm to 4pm |
Tea, coffee, refreshments, chat, jigsaws, tombola/games, snack (if required), Wi-Fi, sockets for charging mobile devices |
Accessible entrance, accessible toilets |
|
St Paul's Church, St Paul's Square, Bedford MK40 1SQ The Revd. Luke Larner lukewilliamlarner@gmail.com |
Tuesday to Friday 11am to 2pm | Hot or cold drinks, Wi-Fi, charging points, books/magazines, baby changing facilities | Accessible toilets |
|
St Peter’s Church, Church Lane, Sharnbrook, Bedford, MK44 1HR Roland Carpenter 07801 750963 / roland.carpenter@tiscali.co.uk |
Every Wednesday 9am to 6pm |
Only available to Sharnbrook, Felmersham, Souldrop, and Knotting residents: warmth, Wi-Fi, hot drinks and possibly hot soup at lunchtime.
|
|
|
St Thomas a Becket Parish Church, Fellowship Centre (Church Hall), Green Lane Clapham, MK41 6ER George Morrow georgemorrow48@gmail.com / vicarcpc@btinternet.com |
Every Tuesday 1pm to 4pm from 6 December |
Free soup and a roll, tea and coffee, biscuits, cake, cold drinks, board games and videos, Wi-Fi, charging points for devices. |
Parking |
|
Woodside Church Dover Crescent, Bedford, MK41 8QH Deborah Tooth 01234 272022 / debbie.tooth@woodsidechurch.com |
Tuesday and Wednesday 1pm to 4:30pm
|
Hot/cold drinks, snack, Wi-Fi |
Accessible entrance, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities |
|
Wyboston Lakes Health & Leisure Club, Great North Road Wyboston, Bedford, MK44 3AL Lee Gaskin Lee.gaskin@1life.co.uk / 07442 860713 |
Monday to Friday 7am - 9am, 11am - 3:30pm and 7pm - 8:30pm Saturdays 1pm - 6pm Sunday: 1pm - 3:30pm |
Free hot drinks, Wi-F, sockets for charging mobile devices | Free car parking, accessible toilets |
If you have opened a warm space and would like it included on the Bedford Borough Warm Spaces Network please contact public.health@bedford.gov.uk