Every Suffolk warm space open over Christmas and New Year

To keep people informed, Suffolk charity the Rural Coffee Caravan has mapped every warm space across the county.

These spaces range from libraries to community halls, church annexes to village pubs to provide people with a place to keep warm without worrying about the bills.

The coffee caravan provides support to some of Suffolk's most isolated communities including by helping them with welfare benefits, free debt advice, urgent housing repairs or home insulation grants.   

Ann Osborn, CEO of Rural Coffee Caravan (Image: Archant)

Ann Osborn, CEO of Rural Coffee Caravan, said: "So far we have mapped more than 260 Warm Spaces but we know there will be others available too. 

"If you are offering such a space, tell us about it so we can update the map and then more Suffolk people can stay warm this winter.   

"We are already seeing how all kinds of people are being helped by visiting their local Warm Space.

"Service users include parents at home with babies and pre-school children, people working from home and retired people.

"We are so grateful to have funding for this mapping project from East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council."  

East Suffolk Council has invested £70,000 to create 30 warm rooms across the district with more in the pipeline.

A spokesperson for Barergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils added: “More than £100,000 will be distributed through the Winter Warmth Support Fund to 60+ grass-roots groups, awarding them between £250-£5,000 to help their communities.

"It will enable more existing activities to be delivered in their town or village – whether that’s a coffee morning, baby and toddler group or fitness class – while providing a Warm Space."

The warm spaces over Christmas: 

Saturday December 24, Christmas Eve

Haverhill – River of Life Community Church, (Carols and festive nibbles) CB9 0JB From 5pm

Sudbury – Abbeycroft Leisure, Kingfisher Leisure Centre, CO10 2SU, 7am – 2pm

Felixstowe – Emmaus Community Cafe, IP3 8EB, 10am – 3pm

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU, 10am – 5pm

Hadleigh – Abbeycroft Leisure Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, IP7 5BH, 7am – 2pm

Somersham – Somersham and District Community Shop, IP8 4PF, 9am – 1pm

Harleston (Norfolk) – The Swan Hotel, IP20 9AN, 10am – 7pm. Anyone in need of help getting there can call The Swan Hotel on 01379 852221

Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall, refreshments and games available. IP21 4LT, 8pm – 10pm

Hopton – Hopton Community Cafe, High Street Chapel (Carol Service and refreshments), IP22 2QX 4pm – 5pm

Elmswell – The Wesley, IP30 9EE, 10am – 3pm

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 3pm to 6pm

The warm space at Westhorpe will be open during the Christmas and New Year period. (Image: Rural Coffee Caravan)

Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day

Ipswich – Salvation Army Citadel, IP4 4PH (Christmas Day lunch – now fully booked)

Felixstowe – Salvation Army, Cobbold Road, IP11 7EL. Anyone looking to join the church service from 10.30am, followed by a Christmas Dinner, can call 07500 058 657.

Felixstowe – Cuppa café, IP11 9AA (free Christmas Day lunch – book in advance 01394 547160)

Wickham Market – All Saints Church, £3 per head Christmas day lunch at 1pm, IP13 0SA. Advance booking helpful but last-minute bookings still welcome.

Leiston Library – IP16 4ER, 10am – 11.30am

Bury St Edmunds – St Benedict’s School, IP32 6RH. (Christmas Day lunch – please book in advance by calling 01284 754 967)

Ipswich – The Golf Hotel, IP4 5TR. The hotel is offering a free Christmas Day lunch for up to 10 individuals at the venue. Contact Amanda on 01473 727 450 for more info.

Norwich – St Andrew’s Hall, NR3 1AU. 11am – 5pm. Free meal, warmth, company and entertainment for those alone, homeless or struggling financially. (Free transport for those in the greater Norwich area by leaving a message on 01603 510 751 – Option 1 and someone will return the request.)

Harleston (Norfolk) – The Swan Hotel, IP20 9AN, 10am – 7pm. Anyone in need of help getting there can call The Swan Hotel on 01379 852221

Monday December 26, Boxing Day

Beccles – Butchers Arms. Free cuppa and always a warm welcome. NR34 9YT, 3pm – 6pm

Harleston (Norfolk) – The Swan Hotel, IP20 9AN, 10am – 7pm. Anyone in need of help getting there can call The Swan Hotel on 01379 852221.

Dereham – MeetUpMondays at Red Lion, NR19 2DJ, 10am to 1pm

Ipswich – St Helens Primary School. Refreshments, programme of activities for children, and a space to connect with others. IP4 2LR, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Tuesday December 27, Bank Holiday

Sudbury – Abbeycroft Leisure Kingfisher Leisure Centre, CO10 2SU, 6am – 2pm

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU, 10am – 10pm

Hadleigh – Abbeycroft Leisure Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, IP7 5BH, 6am – 2pm

Felixstowe – St Philips Community Hub, IP11 2LY, 10am– 3pm

Felixstowe – Salvation Army, Cobbold Road, IP11 7EL, 10am – 3pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits all day. Lunch: Soup and a roll at 12pm

Woodbridge – 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts, IP12 1BY, 9am – 3pm

Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall. Refreshments and games available. IP21 4LT, 8pm– 10pm

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 3pm– 6pm

The Rendham Warm Space (Image: Mary Gregory)

Wednesday December 28

Sudbury – Abbeycroft Leisure Kingfisher Leisure Centre, CO10 2SU, 6am– 9pm

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU, 10am to 10pm

Ipswich – CHIp – Community Hub Ipswich CIC. Wednesdays at 2pm there is also a creative writing activity. IP1 1TW, 10am – 4pm

Ipswich – St Helens Primary School. Refreshments, programme of activities for children, and a space to connect with others. IP4 2LR, 11.30am – 1.30pm

Hadleigh – Abbeycroft Leisure Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, IP7 5BH, 6am – 9pm

Somersham – Somersham and District Community Shop, IP8 4PF, 9am – 1pm

Felixstowe – Broadway House, IP11 7RH, 10am – 4pm

Hollesley – Village Hall, Twixmas Chinwag for over 65s, IP12 3QR, 2pm - 4pm

Bedfield and Monk Soham – Community Hub, IP13 7JH, 9.15am – 5pm

Great Finborough – Chestnut Horse, IP14 3AT, 12pm – 2pm

Westleton – Village Hall (Free Christmas biscuits, with a paid drink – £2), IP17 3AD, 10am – 12pm

Southwold – The Harbour Inn, IP18 6TA, 3am – 5pm

Harleston – Memorial Leisure Centre Meeting Room, IP20 9DD, 10am – 3pm

Elmswell – The Wesley, IP30 9EE, 8.30am – 4.30pm

Walsham Le Willows – The Priory Room, IP31 3AB, 10am – 3pm

Lowestoft – MeetUpMondays-On-Wednesday and Mince Pies at The Norman Warrior, NR32 2RB, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 3pm – 6pm

There are over 260 warm spaces mapped out by the Rural Coffee Caravan (Image: Eastern Colleges Group)

Thursday December 29

Thurlow – Village Hall, CB9 7LA, 3pm – 5pm

Sudbury – Abbeycroft Leisure Kingfisher Leisure Centre, CO10 2SU, 6am – 9pm

Ipswich – CHIp – Community Hub Ipswich CIC (Thursdays at 10am there is also a philosophy discussion, and at 2pm a card making activity), IP1 1TW, 10am – 4pm

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU, 10am – 10pm

Ipswich – Winter Warmth at Safe Harbour (Top Up Shop only), IP4 2LS, 1pm – 3pm

Ipswich – MeetUpMondays-On-Thursdays at The Golf Hotel, IP4 5TR, 12pm – 2pm

Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall, IP21 4LT, 1pm – 3pm

Hadleigh – Abbeycroft Leisure Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, IP7 5BH, 6am – 9pm

Somersham – Somersham and District Community Shop, IP8 4PF, 8am – 6pm

Woolverstone – Berners Hall, IP9 1AR, 10am – 1pm

Tattingstone – Village Hall, IP9 2ND, 9.30 – 12.30

Felixstowe – St Philips Community Hub, IP11 2LY, 10am – 3pm

Felixstowe – Broadway House, IP11 7RH, 10am – 4pm

Felixstowe – Seaton Road Methodist Church, IP11 9BT, 11am– 3pm

Wickham Market – All Saints Church (Open Pantry Foodbank), IP13 0SA, 9-11.00am

Bedfield & Monk Soham – Community Hub, IP13 7JH, 9.15 – 17.00

Hasketon – Victory Hall, IP13 6JD, 10am – 13.00

Westleton – Village Hall (Free Christmas biscuits, with a paid drink – £2), IP17 3AD, 10am – 12pm

Elmswell – The Wesley, IP30 9EE, 8.30 – 16.30

Ingham Church – Teachers House, IP31 1NQ, 10.00 – 17.00

Bury St Edmunds – St Edmundsbury Cathedral, IP33 1LS, 10.00 – 15.00

Lowestoft – Saint Andrews Church, NR32 2DQ, 10.00 – 18.00

Wrentham – MeetUpMondays-On-Thursdays at The Five Bells, NR34 7JF, 10.00 – 12.00

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 15.00 – 18.00

St Edmundsbury Cathedral will act as a warm space over Christmas and New Year. (Image: Bury St Edmunds and Beyond/Shawn Pearce))

Friday 30th December

Sudbury – Abbeycroft Leisure Kingfisher Leisure Centre, CO10 2SU, 06.00 – 21.00

Ipswich – CHIp – Community Hub Ipswich CIC (Also at 10am on Fridays there is a painting activity), IP1 1TW, 10.00 – 16.00

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU, 10.00 – 22.00

Ipswich – St Helens Primary School, Refreshments, programme of activities for children, and a space to connect with others. IP4 2LR, 11.30 – 13.30

Rushmere – Rushmere GNS Warm Welcome at Dumbarton Road Scout Hall (Free Lunch provided but must book by ringing or texting Michelle on 07570 093 097), IP4 3JP, 12.30 – 15.30

Claydon and Barham – Church Hall, IP6 0PT, 10.00 – 12.30

Hadleigh – Abbeycroft Leisure Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, IP7 5BH, 6am – 21.00

Somersham – Somersham and District Community Shop, IP8 4PF, 9am – 16.00

Felixstowe – Broadway House, IP11 7RH, 10.00 – 16.00

Woodbridge – 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts, IP12 1BY, 9.00 – 15.00

Westleton – Village Hall (Free Christmas biscuits, with a paid drink – £2), IP17 3AD, 10.00 – 12.00

Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall. Refreshments and games available. Bingo courtesy of Fressingfield Scouts (small charge for this), IP21 4LT, 7.30pm – 10pm

Elmswell – The Wesley, IP30 9EE, 8.30 – 4.30pm

Badwell Ash – Village Hall, IP31 3DH, 10am – 2pm

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 3pm – 6pm

Saturday December 31, New Year’s Eve

Sudbury – Abbeycroft Leisure Kingfisher Leisure Centre, CO10 2SU, 8am – 2pm

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU, 10am – 5pm

Ipswich – CHIp – Community Hub Ipswich CIC. (Also at 10am on Saturdays there is a drumming and percussion activity), IP1 1TW, 10am – 4pm

Hadleigh – Abbeycroft Leisure Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, IP7 5BH, 8am – 2pm

Somersham – Somersham and District Community Shop, IP8 4PF, 9am – 1pm

Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall – Informal family oriented get together with background music and buffet, IP21 4LT, 8pm to 10pm

Elmswell – The Wesley, IP30 9EE, 10am – 3pm

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 3pm – 6pm

Over 260 warm spaces have been mapped by Rural Coffee Caravan (Image: Rural Coffee Caravan)

Sunday January 1, New Year’s Day

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU1, 1pm – 8pm

Ipswich – St Helens Primary School. Refreshments, programme of activities for children, and a space to connect with others, IP4 2LR, 11.30 – 1.30

Westleton – Village Hall (Village Fireworks – meet in the hall first and afterwards for refreshments and raffle), IP17 3AD, 4.30pm – 7.30pm

Hopton – Community Cafe, High Street Chapel (Church Service/refreshments), IP22 2QX, 10.30am – 12pm

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 3pm– 6pm

Monday January 2, Bank Holiday

Dedham – MeetUpMondays at The Sun Inn, CO7 6DF, 11am to 12pm

Sudbury – Abbeycroft Leisure – Kingfisher Leisure Centre, CO10 2SU, 6am to 2pm

Ipswich – Geek Retreat, IP4 1DU, 10am to 2pm

Hadleigh – MeetUpMondays at The George, IP7 5AL, 11am – 12.30pm

Hadleigh – Abbeycroft Leisure Hadleigh Pool and Leisure Centre, IP7 5BH, 6am to 2pm

Layham – Village Hall, IP7 5LY, 10am to midday

Stowmarket – Our Lady’s Catholic Church, IP14 1AP, 11am-3pm

Snape – MeetUpMondays at The Golden Key, IP17 1SA, 10.30am – 12pm

Westleton – Village Hall (Free Christmas biscuits, with a paid drink – £2), IP17 3AD, 10am – 12pm

Bury St Edmunds – St George’s Church Room, IP32 6JZ, 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Elmswell – The Wesley, IP30 9EE, 10am – 3pm

Ingham Church – Teachers House, IP31 1NQ, 10am to 5pm

Dereham – MeetUpMondays at Red Lion, NR19 2DJ, 10am – 1pm

Lowestoft – MeetUpMondays at the Norman Warrior, NR32 2RB, 10.30am – 12.30pm

Beccles – Butchers Arms, NR34 9YT, 3pm to 6pm

To view the map of all Warm Spaces online, go to https://ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk/map/ and select ‘Warm Spaces’ as your category filter. 

For Warm Spaces enquiries or to add to the map, email info@ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk or call 01379 855338