AS LEICESTER experiences very cold temperatures, the city council’s libraries and Haymarket Community Hub are offering a warm welcome to anyone who needs it.
Anyone who needs a warm space is welcome at the city’s libraries during their opening hours, which can be found online at leicester.gov.uk/libraries
In addition, regular Warm Welcome sessions give people the chance to use their local library as a ‘warm hub’ where they can enjoy a hot drink, meet new people, and try something new. From the week starting Monday 26 January, for six weeks, there will be an activity at the same time and day at your local library or Warm Welcome location. All sessions are free, and once signed up, people are welcome to attend as many sessions as they would like.
The Haymarket Community Hub is located on the first floor of Haymarket shopping centre, close to the escalators. It is open as a Warm Welcome space on Mondays from 2-4pm for refreshments and activities.
Activities on offer at libraries include an introduction to art at Pork Pie Library, where you can get creative and learn a variety of techniques, including watercolours, decoupage on glass and painting with acrylics.
At New Parks, Beaumont Leys and St Barnabas libraries, a series of sustainable craft sessions will use recycled materials to create colourful items including handmade cards, rag rug coasters and willow photo frames.
Leicester’s Central Library will host creative writing sessions, exploring different writing techniques including poetry and fan faction; while The Brite Centre will hold sessions focusing on mindfulness, with an introduction to gentle chair-based yoga.
No experience is required for any of the sessions, and all resources are provided. For the full list of what’s going on where, ask at your local library or see leicester.gov.uk/warmwelcome
Warm Welcome is brought together by a collaboration of council services, including Leicester Libraries, Leicester Adult Education and the council’s public health team.
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."
Leicester Libraries all offer free wifi and use of computers, plus many have free weekly Toddler Time sessions for young children, and homework clubs for school-age children. There’s access to a vast range of books, plus online e-books and e-magazines through the Bookfinder website, where you can also reserve, renew, search for and review books, as well as find out about events coming up in your local library.
To find out more, visit leicester.gov.uk/libraries