Leicester’s libraries and the Haymarket Community Hub are providing free warm spaces as the city experiences a spell of very cold winter temperatures.
Anyone who needs a heated place to spend time can visit their local library during opening hours, with details available on the Leicester City Council website. The Warm Welcome programme will run for six weeks from the week beginning Monday 26 January, offering hot drinks, opportunities to meet others and a timetable of free activities across neighbourhood venues.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
The Haymarket Community Hub, located on the first floor of the Haymarket Shopping Centre near the escalators, is open on Mondays from 2–4pm for refreshments and activities.
Sessions at libraries include an introduction to art at Pork Pie Library, sustainable craft workshops using recycled materials at New Parks, Beaumont Leys, St Barnabas and St Barnabas libraries, creative writing at Central Library, and mindfulness with gentle chair-based yoga at The Brite Centre. No experience is required and all resources are provided.
Assistant city mayor for health, culture, libraries and community centres, Cllr Vi Dempster, said:
“Our popular Warm Welcome programme uses the libraries and community centres that are already at the heart of our neighbourhoods to offer people the chance to learn something new – and now we have the addition of sessions at the Haymarket hub.
“We can also offer expert advice and help to anyone who might be struggling this winter. Please don’t struggle alone. Come and join us because I know you will receive a warm welcome.”
All libraries continue to provide free wifi, use of computers and access to a vast range of books and digital services.
For the full list of Warm Welcome sessions, ask at your local library or see leicester.gov.uk/warmwelcome. More information on general services is available at leicester.gov.uk/libraries.
