Winter Support

With concerns about the cost of living, Harpenden Town Council is working in partnership with local organisations to support residents in a number of ways. Collectively we are working together to ensure those in need are supported and have access to essential services.

Warm Spaces in Harpenden

During the cold weather period, “Warm Spaces” are open in Harpenden in response to the rising cost of living. Venues that offer a welcoming place for all are listed below.  Thank you to the volunteers who have enabled these venues to open and offer a warm space to those who needed it.

Please download our leaflet outlining Warm Spaces and their opening times and share it with those you feel might need it.

Cornelia's Café at St Nicolas' Church

Cornelia's Café remains open to Warm Space visitors in the St Nicholas Church Hall. Free refreshments, everyone welcome, some activities.

• Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am – noon.
• St Nicholas Church, Church Green, Harpenden, AL5 2TP
• For further details please call: 01582 765 524. Website: Cornelias Café - Parish of Harpenden

Harpenden Memory Lane Café at The Salvation Army

The Harpenden Memory Lane Cafe welcomes people living with dementia and their families. They offer a friendly, understanding place to meet for tea and chat with optional activities during some sessions.

• Monday afternoons from 2pm - 3.30pm
• The Salvation Army, Leyton Green, Harpenden AL5 2TG
• Find out more here: Harpenden Memory Lane Cafe or pre-book with the Salvation Army tel: 01582469399

Well Bean Community Café by The Harpenden Trust

The Well Bean Café is open for tea, coffee and cakes – and a welcoming chat with volunteer baristas. No prices, with an opportunity for those who wish to make a donation as you leave. (Closed over Christmas week).

• Weekdays, Monday through Friday, 10.30am - 12.30pm
• The Harpenden Trust, 130 Southdown Road (above the Co-op)
• Further information about the Well Bean Cafe is available here: Harpenden Trust Well Bean Cafe

Seniors’ Coffee mornings by The Harpenden Trust

Open for free refreshments

• Tuesday mornings from 10.00am to 11.00am at The Harpenden Trust Centre (90 Southdown Road – opposite the Plough & Harow)
• Thursday mornings from 10.00am to 11.00am at The Salvation Army, Leyton Green, Harpenden AL5 2TG
• For further details please call: 01582 460 457 or visit their website: The Harpenden Trust

Batford Methodist Church

Batford Methodist Church offers a local Warm Space with hot drinks, biscuits, cuppa soups and rolls from the beginning of November. No fixed charge, donatins welcome.

• From the first Friday in November 2025 until the end of March 2026
• Coffee from 10am - 12 noon
• Soup and a roll from 12 noon - 1pm
• 100 Lower Luton Rd, Harpenden AL5 5AH.

High Street Methodist Church

The High Street Methodist Church continues to offer a welcoming space. They have no fixed prices for anything on the menu. Instead, there is the opportunity to give a donation as you leave.

• Wesleys cafe is open 10am – 12pm Mondays – Saturdays
• 'Souper Lunches' will be reopening on Thursday afternoons from 12-2pm on: 7th November, 21st November, 5th December, 19th December 2025 serving delicious home-made hot soup, payment is by donation only.
• Further information can be found on their website: High Street Methodist Church Call 01582 713056 or email: office@highstreet.church

Crabtree Church

Crabtree Church offers a parent and toddler group and a coffee morning. Everyone is welcome.

Harpenden Library

All of Hertfordshire Libraries offer a warm place to enjoy.

• Harpenden Library's coffee mornings are on Mondays from 10.30am - 12 noon throughout the year and they particularly welcome anyone who would like to avoid the cold weather.
• The library is open during the following hours with free wifi, newspapers etc, everyone welcome: Monday 9am-6pm, Tuesday 1pm-6pm, Thursday 9am-7pm, Friday 1pm-6pm, Saturday 10am-12pm
• 27 High Street, Harpenden AL5 2RU

Little Acorns at St John's Church

St John's Church offers Little Acorns baby and toddler group.

• Tuesday morning from 10am - 11.30am
• No cost although voluntary donations are welcome
• Saint Johns Road, Harpenden AL5 1DJ

• Further information can be found here: St John's Church Harpenden

ChristChurch

ChristChurch offers two groups for children and their carers.

• MaMites takes place on a Friday morning from 10am - 11.30am. Welcoming young children and carers for play, refreshments and short bible story/talk. Everyone welcome, £2 per family.
• Saturdads is on the second Saturday of the month from 10am - 11.30am. Church-run group for babies and toddlers with their male carers, offering refreshments and play.
• Contact office@christchurchharpenden.org.uk for more information

This information is updated regularly, if you organise or know about a warm space open to the public on a regular basis that isn't listed please let us know.

If you are planning on walking to one of these venues, consider using the Harpenden Hopper bus and keep your feet warm while you get there. A link to timetables and routes covered by the Hopper can be found here: Harpenden Hopper

Food Banks

The St Albans & District Foodbank works using a voucher referral system. Find up to date information about ithere:  St Albans & District Foodbank.

The King's Pantry Foodbank is a Harpenden Community Project provided by Bethany Community Church and The Salvation Army. 

The majority of food that we give out is given through local donations. Those wishing to receive help with food: 

• are encouraged to either get a referral from Citizen's Advice, Harpenden Trust or Harpenden Money Advice Centre
• can also get a referral by speaking with one of the church leaders in Harpenden and asking to be referred
• some NHS staff may also make referrals. 
• it is also possible to seek help by phoning The Salvation Army officer on 01582 469399.

Citizens Advice

Advice is available over the phone on 01727 811 118 or 0800 144 8848 on Mondays to Thursdays, 10am-4pm and on Friday 10am-1pm, and also online: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

If you would like to visit in person they are open on Mondays 10am-1pm at The Salvation Army, Leyton Green and at the Harpenden Trust Well Bean Community Café (130 Southdown Road, above the Coop) on Wednesdays between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Household Support Fund

To support with the cost of living, Hertfordshire has been provided with funding from the government’s Household Support Fund. This will be used to help people in need with things like the cost of energy and food. Hertfordshire County Council is working with a range of partners across the county to make sure those who need help receive it. 

Support is available for people living with Dementia

Click here to read the Alzheimer's Society article if you are worried about how rising living costs will impact your finances if you live with dementia, or care for someone with the condition. Harpenden Town Council has committed to making Harpenden a Dementia Friendly Town, read about what this means on our Dementia Friendly page.

Responding to winter weather

On a practical level, our Town Rangers work tirelessly over the winter period responding to the challenges that cold weather presents, from clearing public footpaths to dealing with emergency repairs. In addition, we are thankful for our army of ‘Snow Angel’ volunteers whose main responsibility of clearing snow and ice from the pavements allows more vulnerable residents to get out and about more safely.

You can read about our Snow Angels scheme on our Volunteering page. If you’re able to assist us in clearing snow in the future, in your local area, please contact us, this is a scheme that really makes a difference, particularly to more vulnerable members of our community.

If you are part of a community group, particularly with a premises (eg church or community hall), Hertfordshire County Council provide free salt to community groups. Applications can be made during September and October.

Keep in touch

We are regularly updating our website with information and posting bulletins on our social media channels but if you know someone who is not online and they wish to get in touch you can find our contact details here.