Where To Go To Find a Free Warm Space and Welcome This Winter

Published on: 17 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 17 Jan, 2026

Next week (Monday to Sunday, January 19 to 25) is Warm Welcome Week, designated by the campaign Warm Welcome Spaces.

Its aim is to support and promote free, inclusive spaces where anyone can find warmth, connection, and support, especially vital during the coldest and loneliest time of the year.

Click here for some of the venues in the Guildford area.

They include the Q E Park Baptist Church, The Aggy Cafe & Social Club, Guildford Library, Millmead Baptist Church, Spectrum leisure centre, Guildford United Reformed Church, Christ Church, Merrow Methodist Church, and more…

Taking part is the Diocese of Guildford. It is encouraging people who need to keep warm and to receive support to seek out their local churches, many of whom have long been offering a warm space and a variety of wraparound support to alleviate poverty.

St Mary’s Church at Ash Vale is one such church taking part in the scheme.

The community cafe at St Mary’s Church, Ash Vale.

Its community café on Fridays, offers warm drinks and food, alongside emergency vouchers for gas and electric, warm packs and electric blankets.

Alex Sanderson, the project manager for the church’s community outreach said: “We have done a lot of work to connect the dots with other projects to help the community. We run a Hear Here hearing aid clinic once a month at the church so we can easily signpost people across the two initiatives.

“Surrey Library Service’s digital inclusion team visit St Mary’s every four to six weeks to help people be more confident doing things online.

“We have a wonderful group of regulars. All the volunteers are amazing and the food they make is delicious. We have also had some very moving prayer moments with people coming to us asking for prayer, and our vicar, the Rev’d Neil Lambert brings the Sunday readings to the Friday café as a talking point.”

The church also partners with other denominations to visit local asylum seekers in a nearby hotel; offering hospitality, creative activities and a chance to practise English.