Surrounded by laughter at East Ham Library

As soon as I walked into East Ham Library, I was surrounded by sound: children’s laughter drifting from a school class learning about new books; music playing softly at the back of the room where a chair aerobics class was underway; and the cheerful chatter of staff laughing with ladies gathered for knit and natter. On a cold January morning, it wasn’t just the warmth of the building that struck me, but the warmth of the atmosphere itself.

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One young woman I spoke to told me she had just completed an interview for a job she was really excited about. “I was so nervous,” she said, “but I’ve been coming to this library since I was young. I know the staff, they’ve been with me through this journey, so doing it here makes me feel calmer.” The library offers private booths for just £1, giving people a quiet, affordable space to work or take important calls if they can’t do so at home. As we spoke, a member of staff came over and gave her a big hug, telling her they had been nervous for her too. That moment of genuine care showed how this space offers far more than just a place to sit, it offers support and belonging.

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The knit and natter group meets twice a week, providing a space for creativity and connection. Whether they are sewing for Great Ormond Street, creating heritage pieces for museums, or donating their work to charity, there is always a project on the go. One regular attendee, who has been coming to the library for eight years, spoke about how important this space is to the ladies. She lost her husband just over a year ago and said that the women in this group understood exactly how lonely it is and helped bring routine and normality back into her life. “I couldn’t thank the staff enough for their support,” she said. “We always greet everyone with a smile here. That’s part of it - we look out for one another.”

There is a full agenda of classes running every day day, Friday’s classes started at 9am and finish at 6pm, all offering free opportunities for people to connect, dance, learn, and smile together. From the outside, you would never comprehend the warmth and compassion held within these walls. Inside is a room full of stories, and people always ready for a natter.

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