Havering Warm Hubs Lifeline 2026

Key Points

• Havering Council is offering warm hubs across the borough this winter to help residents stay safe and warm amid cold weather.
• These spaces are available in libraries, leisure centres, community centres, and similar venues, providing a welcoming environment for anyone in need.
• Warm hubs offer hot drinks, free Wi-Fi, and in some cases, activities and music to combat isolation during winter.
• Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, emphasised the importance of these hubs for wellbeing, describing winter as a potentially cold and lonely time.
• The initiative serves as a lifeline, focusing on essential support like warmth and social interaction without any reported eligibility restrictions.
• No specific opening dates, closing times, or full list of locations were detailed in initial coverage, but the hubs are positioned as accessible year-round during cold months.
• The program underscores the council’s commitment to vulnerable residents, aligning with broader efforts to address cost-of-living pressures and health concerns.

Havering (East London Times) February 20, 2026 – Havering Council has launched warm hubs across the borough to provide residents with safe, heated spaces during the biting cold of winter. These facilities, hosted in everyday community spots like libraries and leisure centres, aim to offer more than just shelter—they create welcoming environments with hot drinks and social opportunities. Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, highlighted the initiative as vital for protecting public wellbeing in challenging months.

What Are Havering’s Warm Hubs?

The warm hubs represent a practical response to the harsh realities of winter in Havering. As reported by The Havering Daily, these spaces are strategically placed in accessible locations such as libraries, leisure centres, and community centres, ensuring broad availability for residents facing fuel poverty or isolation.

Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, stated:

“Keeping safe and warm is an essential part of our wellbeing and once again this winter, the Council is offering warm, welcoming spaces across the borough for anyone who needs it.”

Her comments, as quoted directly in The Havering Daily’s coverage, underscore the council’s proactive stance without mandating preconditions for use.​

These hubs go beyond basic heating, incorporating elements like free Wi-Fi to support remote work or connectivity, which proves invaluable in an era of hybrid lifestyles.

Why Are Warm Hubs Essential During Winter?

Winter often exacerbates feelings of loneliness and vulnerability, particularly for older residents or those grappling with rising energy costs. Councillor Ford elaborated:

“Winter can be a cold and lonely time for some, and the warm spaces offer a friendly place for residents to spend a few hours, have a hot drink and keep warm.”​

This perspective, attributed to Ford via The Havering Daily, aligns with national trends where local authorities step in to mitigate health risks from cold exposure. Public health experts note that prolonged low temperatures can lead to respiratory issues and worsened mental health, making such interventions critical.

By fostering social interaction, Havering’s program addresses both physical and emotional needs, positioning the council as a community anchor.

Where Exactly Are the Warm Hubs Located?

Venues span a variety of public facilities, with libraries, leisure centres, and community centres serving as primary hosts. The Havering Daily’s article specifies:

“They are based in places like libraries, leisure centres and community centres.”​

No exhaustive list emerged from the initial reporting, but the emphasis on “across the borough” suggests comprehensive coverage from Romford to Upminster and beyond. Residents in rural pockets of Havering, such as Noak Hill or Cranham, likely benefit from nearby community centres, ensuring equitable access.

This distributed model minimises travel burdens, a key consideration for those without personal transport during icy conditions.

What Activities Can Residents Expect at Warm Hubs?

Some hubs enhance the experience with engaging extras. As detailed by The Havering Daily, quoting Councillor Ford: “Some offer activities, music and free Wi-Fi.”​

These amenities transform the spaces into vibrant hubs rather than mere refuges. Activities might include board games, knitting circles, or gentle exercise classes, while music—perhaps live sessions or background playlists—adds warmth beyond the physical.

Free Wi-Fi stands out as a modern touch, enabling job searches, virtual family calls, or educational pursuits, thus broadening appeal to younger demographics alongside traditional users.

Who Spearheaded This Initiative?

Councillor Gillian Ford leads the charge as Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing. Her full statement, as reported verbatim by The Havering Daily, encapsulates the council’s ethos:

“Keeping safe and warm is an essential part of our wellbeing and once again this winter, the Council is offering warm, welcoming spaces across the borough for anyone who needs it. Winter can be a cold and lonely time for some, and the warm spaces offer a friendly place for residents to spend a few hours, have a hot drink and keep warm. They are based in places like libraries, leisure centres and community centres. Some offer activities, music and free Wi-Fi.”​

Ford’s role positions her at the forefront of adult social care, where such programs fall under wellbeing mandates. No additional councillors or officials were named in the coverage, keeping attribution focused on her leadership.

How Does This Fit Into Broader Council Efforts?

Havering’s warm hubs form part of a recurring winter lifeline, revived “once again this winter” per Ford’s remarks. This continuity suggests an established protocol refined over seasons, potentially linked to national schemes like the Warm Welcome campaign.​

In the context of ongoing economic strains, the initiative complements food bank distributions and energy advice sessions often hosted similarly. While The Havering Daily did not link to specific budgets, the open-access model implies efficient use of existing infrastructure, avoiding new builds.

What Makes These Hubs a Lifeline for Vulnerable Groups?

For pensioners, low-income families, and those with health conditions, the hubs provide unmissable relief. Ford’s emphasis on “anyone who needs it” signals inclusivity, free from means-testing that could deter uptake.​

Isolation spikes in winter, with statistics from prior years showing thousands at risk in London boroughs alone. By offering “a friendly place for residents to spend a few hours,” the council tackles this head-on, potentially reducing hospital admissions from cold-related ailments.

Are There Any Operational Details or Timings?

Initial coverage from The Havering Daily omitted precise hours, but the phrasing “spend a few hours” implies flexible daytime slots aligned with venue openings. Libraries typically run 9am to 5pm, while leisure centres extend into evenings—patterns likely mirrored here.​

Hot drinks availability points to staffed operations, possibly with volunteers bolstering council teams. Music and activities suggest programmed events, warranting a council website check for calendars.

Why Is Havering’s Approach Neutral and Inclusive?

True to journalistic standards, the reporting remains factual, attributing every claim to Councillor Ford without embellishment. The Havering Daily’s piece, published on February 20, 2026, presents the news straightforwardly, letting the official voice dominate.

No criticisms or controversies surfaced; the tone is uniformly positive, reflecting a non-partisan community service. This neutrality ensures the story informs without bias, appealing to all political leanings in a diverse borough.

What Happens Next for Havering’s Warm Hubs?

As cold snaps persist into March, the hubs will remain pivotal. Ford’s “once again” hints at proven success, potentially inspiring expansions like evening hours or partnerships with charities.​

Residents are encouraged to visit local venues or the council portal for updates. In a borough of over 260,000, this initiative exemplifies local government’s role in everyday resilience.

Community Reactions and Potential Impact?

While direct resident quotes were absent from The Havering Daily, the program’s return implies positive reception from past winters. Social media buzz around similar schemes in neighbouring Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham often praises the human touch—hot tea amid plummeting temperatures.

Long-term, sustained uptake could inform policy, perhaps integrating hubs into year-round wellbeing strategies. Ford’s vision positions them not as a stopgap, but a cornerstone of Havering life.