Warm welcome spaces open for residents this winter
Monday, November 03, 2025
As the months get colder and with cost-of-living pressures still affecting residents across the district, Wakefield Council’s welcome spaces offer a place where people can enjoy a hot drink and friendly company.
“Our district’s warm spaces are places where everyone is welcome. We want to make sure residents have somewhere they can keep warm, safe, enjoy activities and get support if needed from our advisors."
Cllr Daniel Wilton
Cabinet Member for Communities
Simon Topham, Chair of the Residents First Group, added: “Whether it’s the libraries or our youth or family hubs, the welcome spaces across the district play a central role in making sure our local communities have a safe, warm place to visit.”
This is the fourth year the Residents First Group has run the Warm Welcome Spaces initiative.
From November, the Council’s 12 libraries are open as warm Welcome Spaces from 11am to 3pm. With access to thousands of books and free internet use, residents are welcome to come along and read, learn and take part in the activities running.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer these welcome spaces to residents this winter. They’re not only areas to keep warm, they’re also spaces where people have the opportunity get creative, learn something new or simply dive into a really good book.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport
Families with children can also visit Family Hubs. The Hubs run services where you can link with other families and get support. They include breastfeeding support groups, playful learning groups, young carers groups and more.
Last year, over 13,000 people attended a welcome space activity at the family and youth hub session. Libraries also provided over 36,000 warm drinks between October 2024 and March 2025. Find your local hub at https://www.wakefieldfamiliestogether.co.uk/family-hubs/.
Residents can access cost of living support at the Help at the Hub centres across the district. Here residents can get help with money, including advice on energy bills, housing, jobs and skills from friendly staff and volunteers in a judgment free zone.
You can find information on your local welcome space and what it offers at www.wakefield.gov.uk/welcomespace.