FAQs

We are proposing to move Leytonstone Family Hub services from The Junction to Leyton Library. Leyton Library would remain a library, offering books, reading and study space, computers and activities, while also making room for Family Hub and other community services. This would create a multi-use neighbourhood hub. We are asking how the space and services should work, including access, layout and the services offered.

A Family Hub is a place where families can find activities, advice and support for children, young people and parents or carers. At Leytonstone Family Hub, the current programme includes activities for babies and young children, support for parents and carers, health-related sessions and appointments or drop-ins with professionals. We also run sessions at smaller local venues, such as libraries, schools and community spaces. Families can use other Family Hubs and local sessions across the borough.

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 and move Family Hub services to Leyton Library. 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.

We want to hear how we can make this approach work for people in Leyton and Leytonstone.

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.

We think it could be a place where residents use library services, find Family Hub support and take part in community activities. We would also connect it with smaller local venues and groups, so support would not depend on everyone visiting a single building. We are assessing how its layout and accessibility can support these different uses.

People might be able to find library and family services in one place, get help from different organisations more easily, and take part in more local activities. We also hope to improve spaces for families and community use and make Leyton Library a connection point for other local venues. There may be scope for more convenient or longer opening hours, but we have not agreed any changes and would need to consider staffing and practical arrangements. These are possible benefits, not promises. We want to hear which benefits matter most to you and what would be needed to achieve them.

The change of location could make journeys longer or more costly for some current Family Hub users. People may also have concerns about accessibility, space, noise, privacy or whether existing activities would continue. We are examining where current users travel from and want to hear about walking, public transport, parking, drop-off and other access needs. We will consider these possible effects and ways to address them as we develop the detailed arrangements for the proposed neighbourhood hub.

Early plans show ideas for a larger combined children’s library and Family Hub welcome area, community and meeting rooms, private or clinical rooms, buggy storage and more accessible and family toilets. We would need to test step-free access, privacy, room capacity and how quiet library use and other activities could work together. The layout is subject to feasibility, cost, accessibility checks and consultation feedback. It is not a final design or a promise that every feature will be built.

Under the proposal, the Family Hub would no longer be based at The Junction. We have not decided exactly how individual sessions and appointments would transfer to Leyton Library or be offered at other local venues. Our Family Hub model already includes local sessions and outreach as well as main hubs, and we would expect the proposed neighbourhood hub to connect with these. We want to know which current services matter most, where people need them and when they need them. We would explain any detailed changes before they took place.

The proposed move is currently under consideration. This consultation focuses on how the proposed neighbourhood hub would work, including access, layout, the services offered and support at other local venues. We will also consider any concerns you raise about the proposed move itself, its potential effects and how these could be addressed.

A consultation asks for views to help shape plans and decisions. We want to know how the proposed neighbourhood hub should work, how it could affect you or others, what might improve it, and whether there are alternative ways of providing services we should consider.

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.

You can complete the questionnaire online through our Let’s Talk consultation pages here. Paper copies will also be available at Leytonstone Family Hub (The Junction) and Leyton Library. Public drop-in sessions will take place:

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

Your response will be used to help us understand people’s views and shape the detailed arrangements for the proposed neighbourhood hub. Public Perspectives, the independent organization helping the council manage the consultation, will analyse responses and report the findings without identifying individual respondents. You can read more about how your information will be handled at 

Public Perspectives - Data, Security & Privacy

Waltham Forest - Surveys Privacy Notice

The consultation will run for six weeks until midnight on Monday 30 November.

Yes. If you need help understanding or completing the questionnaire, or a paper copy, contact us at walthamforest@publicperspectives.co.uk or call 0208 496 3000. Our staff can explain how to take part. You can also visit a drop-in session for help and to share your views.

Paper questionnaires can be returned to Leytonstone Family Hub or Leyton Library, or by post in an envelope 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

Public Perspectives, an independent organisation, will analyse responses to the questionnaire and other consultation activities and write a report. We will consider that report alongside the potential impact 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 consultation findings and explain the next steps on our website.

The Junction could be used for post-16 education in 2027. If the move proceeds, work at Leyton Library would be needed before Family Hub services moved. We have not agreed a firm move date. We would give users and staff clear information about the timing and any temporary changes to services.