Community Spaces - Leyton Neighbourhood Hub

Help shape the proposed neighbourhood hub at Leyton Library


Leyton Library is one of the borough's most recognisable and historically significant civic buildings. The council is exploring how investment in the building could help secure its future, enabling it to serve the next generation while continuing its long tradition as a place for learning, connection and community life.


As part of that vision, Leyton Library could become a shared neighbourhood hub, bringing Family Hub support into the building alongside its library services and community activities. We’re inviting you to help shape the proposal.


We are proposing to move Family Hub services from The Junction in Leytonstone to Leyton Library and develop a multi-use neighbourhood hub. Leyton Library would remain a library, offering books, reading and study space, computers and activities, alongside Family Hub and other community services.


The proposed move is currently under consideration. This consultation focuses on how the space and services would work, including access, layout and the services offered. We also welcome any concerns about the proposed move, its potential effects and how these could be addressed.



Please click here to complete the consultation questionnaire (external link).


Please read the information below and our FAQs before answering.


The consultation closes at midnight on Monday 30 November.



Why are we proposing this change?


We are developing a network of shared community spaces across Waltham Forest as part of our Thriving Neighbourhoods programme. We want local help and activities to be easier to find and different services to work better together.


We propose to develop Leyton Library as an early multi-use neighbourhood hub in the south of the borough. The potential use of The Junction for post-16 education creates an opportunity to bring forward these improvements. It could also expand learning opportunities for young people and older learners in the south of the borough, helping them progress into education, employment and training.



What could the neighbourhood hub offer be?


The proposed hub would bring library, Family Hub and other community services together. A Family Hub provides activities, advice and support for children, young people, parents and carers.


Early ideas for the building include:

  • A larger combined children’s library and Family Hub welcome area
  • Rooms for community groups to run activities and meetings
  • Rooms for private conversations or clinical appointments
  • Buggy storage and more accessible toilets

The layout is still being developed and is subject to feasibility, cost, accessibility checks and consultation feedback. These ideas are not a final design or a promise that every feature will be built.


The proposed hub would also connect with activities and support at local community venues, making sure that the Council is reaching into and strengthening relationships with communities.



How could this affect you?


Bringing services together could make it easier to find support, use different services in one visit and take part in local activities. Leyton Library is currently open five days a week and there is scope for more convenient or longer opening hours, subject to staffing and practical arrangements.


However, we recognise moving services could make journeys longer for some current Family Hub users. People may also have concerns about accessibility, privacy or how existing activities would continue.


We want to hear what would work for you, what concerns you have and what would help address them.



Who can take part?


Anyone can give their views. You do not need to use Leyton Library or Leytonstone Family Hub now.


We particularly want to hear from current and potential users, families, local residents, community groups, staff and organisations that provide services in the area.



How can you take part?


Please complete our questionnaire by midnight on Monday 30 November:

Complete the consultation questionnaire (external link).


Paper copies are available at Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction) and Leyton Library or by request from walthamforest@publicperspectives.co.uk. Please return completed copies to Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction) or Leyton Library, or put the questionnaire in an envelope and send it directly to Public Perspectives at the following Freepost address (no stamp needed):


LBWF Family Hub and Leyton Library consultation

C/O Public Perspectives Ltd

RUER–BYCU–TEJA

PO Box 1340

St. Albans

AL1 9NT


You can also speak to us at a public drop-in session:


  • Wednesday 4 November, 10am-12pm, Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction)
  • Tuesday 10 November, 12pm-2pm, Leyton Library
  • Thursday 12 November, 10am-12pm, Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction)
  • Monday 16 November, 4pm-6pm, Leyton Library

If you need help understanding the consultation, completing the questionnaire or getting a paper copy, please contact walthamforest@publicperspectives.co.uk (Public Perspectives is the organisation helping the Council manage the consultation) or call 0208 496 3000 (the Council's Customer Resolution Centre).



What happens next?


Public Perspectives, an independent organisation, will analyse questionnaire responses and feedback from other consultation activities and write a report.


We will consider the findings alongside the potential effects on different groups, feasibility, costs and other evidence. Our Cabinet, a group of senior councillors who make many of our main decisions, is expected to consider the consultation findings and detailed arrangements for the proposed neighbourhood hub next year, following the consultation.


We will publish the findings and explain the next steps on our website. If the move proceeds, we will give users and staff clear information about the timing and any temporary changes to services.

Help shape the proposed neighbourhood hub at Leyton Library


Leyton Library is one of the borough's most recognisable and historically significant civic buildings. The council is exploring how investment in the building could help secure its future, enabling it to serve the next generation while continuing its long tradition as a place for learning, connection and community life.


As part of that vision, Leyton Library could become a shared neighbourhood hub, bringing Family Hub support into the building alongside its library services and community activities. We’re inviting you to help shape the proposal.


We are proposing to move Family Hub services from The Junction in Leytonstone to Leyton Library and develop a multi-use neighbourhood hub. Leyton Library would remain a library, offering books, reading and study space, computers and activities, alongside Family Hub and other community services.


The proposed move is currently under consideration. This consultation focuses on how the space and services would work, including access, layout and the services offered. We also welcome any concerns about the proposed move, its potential effects and how these could be addressed.



Please click here to complete the consultation questionnaire (external link).


Please read the information below and our FAQs before answering.


The consultation closes at midnight on Monday 30 November.



Why are we proposing this change?


We are developing a network of shared community spaces across Waltham Forest as part of our Thriving Neighbourhoods programme. We want local help and activities to be easier to find and different services to work better together.


We propose to develop Leyton Library as an early multi-use neighbourhood hub in the south of the borough. The potential use of The Junction for post-16 education creates an opportunity to bring forward these improvements. It could also expand learning opportunities for young people and older learners in the south of the borough, helping them progress into education, employment and training.



What could the neighbourhood hub offer be?


The proposed hub would bring library, Family Hub and other community services together. A Family Hub provides activities, advice and support for children, young people, parents and carers.


Early ideas for the building include:

  • A larger combined children’s library and Family Hub welcome area
  • Rooms for community groups to run activities and meetings
  • Rooms for private conversations or clinical appointments
  • Buggy storage and more accessible toilets

The layout is still being developed and is subject to feasibility, cost, accessibility checks and consultation feedback. These ideas are not a final design or a promise that every feature will be built.


The proposed hub would also connect with activities and support at local community venues, making sure that the Council is reaching into and strengthening relationships with communities.



How could this affect you?


Bringing services together could make it easier to find support, use different services in one visit and take part in local activities. Leyton Library is currently open five days a week and there is scope for more convenient or longer opening hours, subject to staffing and practical arrangements.


However, we recognise moving services could make journeys longer for some current Family Hub users. People may also have concerns about accessibility, privacy or how existing activities would continue.


We want to hear what would work for you, what concerns you have and what would help address them.



Who can take part?


Anyone can give their views. You do not need to use Leyton Library or Leytonstone Family Hub now.


We particularly want to hear from current and potential users, families, local residents, community groups, staff and organisations that provide services in the area.



How can you take part?


Please complete our questionnaire by midnight on Monday 30 November:

Complete the consultation questionnaire (external link).


Paper copies are available at Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction) and Leyton Library or by request from walthamforest@publicperspectives.co.uk. Please return completed copies to Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction) or Leyton Library, or put the questionnaire in an envelope and send it directly to Public Perspectives at the following Freepost address (no stamp needed):


LBWF Family Hub and Leyton Library consultation

C/O Public Perspectives Ltd

RUER–BYCU–TEJA

PO Box 1340

St. Albans

AL1 9NT


You can also speak to us at a public drop-in session:


  • Wednesday 4 November, 10am-12pm, Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction)
  • Tuesday 10 November, 12pm-2pm, Leyton Library
  • Thursday 12 November, 10am-12pm, Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction)
  • Monday 16 November, 4pm-6pm, Leyton Library

If you need help understanding the consultation, completing the questionnaire or getting a paper copy, please contact walthamforest@publicperspectives.co.uk (Public Perspectives is the organisation helping the Council manage the consultation) or call 0208 496 3000 (the Council's Customer Resolution Centre).



What happens next?


Public Perspectives, an independent organisation, will analyse questionnaire responses and feedback from other consultation activities and write a report.


We will consider the findings alongside the potential effects on different groups, feasibility, costs and other evidence. Our Cabinet, a group of senior councillors who make many of our main decisions, is expected to consider the consultation findings and detailed arrangements for the proposed neighbourhood hub next year, following the consultation.


We will publish the findings and explain the next steps on our website. If the move proceeds, we will give users and staff clear information about the timing and any temporary changes to services.