Winter Support in Southwark: Help During the Colder Months

Winter can make everyday life more difficult for older people, disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions. Cold temperatures, darker evenings and rising household costs can all have an impact. In addition, poor weather may make it harder for someone to shop, attend appointments or spend time with other people. Fortunately, there is a range of winter support in Southwark available to help residents stay warm, connected and better prepared during the colder months.

Winter support in Southwark through local warm spaces

Southwark has an extensive network of free warm spaces across the borough.

These are welcoming community venues where residents can spend time somewhere warm. Depending on the venue, visitors may also find free refreshments, activities, internet access and advice about the cost of living. Southwark Council

Warm spaces are located across areas including:

Peckham
Camberwell
Walworth
Bermondsey
Rotherhithe
Canada Water
East Dulwich
Nunhead
Borough and Bankside

For example, Peckham Library, Canada Water Library, Camberwell Library and Walworth Library and Southwark Heritage Centre all operate as warm spaces during their normal opening hours.

You can use Southwark Council’s Warm Spaces directory to find somewhere nearby.

Always check opening hours before travelling, as times can change.

Finding winter support in Southwark libraries

Libraries can be particularly useful during colder months.

Southwark Council describes its libraries as welcoming community spaces, and all Southwark libraries operate as warm spaces.

As well as somewhere warm to sit, libraries can provide opportunities to:

Join reading groups
Watch films
Take part in activities
Learn digital skills
Attend talks
Meet other local residents
Access community information

Some libraries also have health kiosks where residents can check their blood pressure.

For someone who spends a lot of time alone during winter, having somewhere local and familiar to visit can also provide valuable social contact.

You can explore Southwark Libraries and community activities for more information.

Winter support in Southwark with energy costs

Heating bills can become a significant concern as temperatures fall.

Southwark Council provides information about financial help, energy bills and ways to reduce household costs through its Cost of Living support pages.

The council also works with Citizens Advice Southwark through the Southwark Energy Savers service.

The service provides energy-saving advice and may be able to help residents who are struggling with energy costs. Priority is given to lower-income and vulnerable households particularly affected by energy bills.

It may be worth seeking advice if someone:

Is worried about turning their heating on
Has fallen behind with energy bills
Is at risk of losing their energy supply
Is unsure whether they qualify for financial help
Is struggling to communicate with their energy provider

You can find more information through Southwark Council’s Help with your energy bills page.

Staying warm during colder weather

Cold weather can affect anyone, although some people are at greater risk.

The NHS advises that older people, people with disabilities and those living with certain long-term health conditions can be particularly vulnerable during cold weather.

Simple precautions can include:

Wearing several layers of clothing
Having regular warm drinks
Eating hot meals
Keeping blankets within easy reach
Checking heating systems before very cold weather arrives
Keeping regularly used rooms comfortably warm
Having essential medication available

You can read the NHS guidance on keeping warm and well for further advice.

Winter support in Southwark for staying socially connected

Winter is not only about temperature.

Darker evenings and poor weather can sometimes make it harder for people to get out and see others.

Several Southwark organisations provide activities and opportunities for older and vulnerable residents.

Link Age Southwark

Link Age Southwark supports older people and people living with dementia across the borough.

Southwark’s Warm Spaces directory includes Link Age Southwark activities for people aged 60 and over, including social groups and digital skills support.

You can find out more through Link Age Southwark.

Age UK Lewisham & Southwark

Age UK Lewisham & Southwark operates from the Healthy Living and Learning Centre on Southwark Park Road.

Support and activities listed by Southwark Council include:

Information and advice
Digital support
Social activities
Exercise sessions
Wellbeing sessions
Lunch clubs
Creative activities

The centre is wheelchair accessible and provides a local place for people aged 55 and over to access advice and social opportunities.

You can find more information from Age UK Lewisham & Southwark.

Community spaces in Peckham, Nunhead and Rotherhithe

Southwark’s Warm Spaces network includes much more than libraries.

For example, Pecan in Peckham provides a warm space, free café, meals and community activities.

In Nunhead, The Green Community Centre provides a warm space alongside refreshments and activities.

Meanwhile, Time & Talents in Rotherhithe offers residents somewhere to enjoy food, a cup of tea and conversation, alongside energy-saving information.

This means residents can often find somewhere relatively close to where they live.

For someone who is becoming isolated during winter, attending an existing local group can sometimes feel easier than travelling further afield to an unfamiliar venue.

Preparing vulnerable residents for bad weather

It can be useful to prepare before particularly cold or wet weather arrives.

Consider checking that someone has:

Enough essential food
Their regular medication
A working mobile phone
Important telephone numbers written down
Suitable winter clothing
Safe footwear
A torch
A charged power bank
Warm blankets

If someone has reduced mobility, it may also be worth considering whether they actually need to go out during particularly icy weather.

Shopping or prescriptions may be collected in advance where possible.

Winter support in Southwark for people living alone

Winter can sometimes be particularly difficult for people who live alone.

Even someone who is normally very independent may find poor weather affects their confidence.

Families, friends and neighbours can help by checking:

Is their heating working?
Do they have enough food?
Do they have their medication?
Are they managing safely?
Have they spoken to anyone recently?
Do they need anything collected?
Are they worried about bills?

A phone call or short visit can sometimes identify a problem before it becomes more serious.

Southwark Council itself encourages residents to look out for friends, relatives and neighbours who may be struggling during winter.

Keeping active during winter in Southwark

Staying active can also help people maintain their normal routine during colder months.

This does not necessarily mean strenuous exercise.

Depending on someone’s mobility and interests, activities might include:

A short walk during daylight
Visiting a library
Attending a community group
Gentle exercise
Going for coffee
Visiting a local leisure centre
Taking part in arts or crafts

Several Southwark warm spaces also provide activities alongside somewhere warm to spend time.

For example, the council lists exercise, yoga, social groups and creative activities at various venues across the borough.

How Caremark Southwark can help during winter

Caremark Southwark supports people to maintain everyday routines and remain connected to the things that matter to them.

During winter, colder temperatures and darker evenings can sometimes make familiar activities more difficult.

Depending on the individual’s needs and agreed plan, a Care Assistant may be able to help someone:

Prepare warm meals and drinks
Shop for essential items
Collect prescriptions
Attend appointments
Maintain everyday routines
Access activities within Southwark
Visit a library or community group
Maintain regular social contact

For example, someone who usually enjoys visiting a local café or community centre may feel less confident going out as the weather changes.

With appropriate support, they may be able to continue enjoying the activities that form an important part of their week.

Find out more about Caremark Southwark.

Useful winter support in Southwark

If you or someone you know could benefit from additional help this winter, these are useful starting points:

Southwark Council’s cost-of-living guidance also brings together information about food, household costs, financial support, mental health and other assistance available to residents. Southwark Council

About Caremark Southwark

Caremark Southwark supports adults and children across communities including Peckham, Camberwell, Dulwich, Bermondsey, Nunhead, Canada Water and surrounding areas.

Our approach focuses on the individual.

We take time to understand each person’s routines, preferences, abilities and goals. During winter, that might mean helping someone maintain familiar activities, remain connected to their community or manage everyday routines when the weather makes things more difficult.

Southwark has a wide range of local organisations and community resources. Therefore, we also recognise the importance of helping people remain connected to the places and activities that matter to them.

If you are concerned about someone becoming more isolated or finding everyday routines more difficult during the colder months, contact Caremark Southwark to discuss their circumstances.

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