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Winter Warm Ups

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Horsham’s Winter Warm Up 2026

Winter can bring its own challenges. As we get older, it can take more effort to get out, stay active, and keep socially connected during the colder, darker months.

Winter Warm Up (WWU) events are here to help—offering a fun, welcoming way for people aged 50+ to try something new, get moving, get connected and feel more ready for winter. This year’s Horsham Winter Warm Up Season includes.

Two Winter Warm Up Event Days on

  • Wednesday 14 October – The Bridge Leisure Centre, Broadbridge Heath
  • Thursday 15 October – Chanctonbury Leisure Centre, Storrington

…and the Winter Warm Up Fringe will run throughout October across the district.

What’s on offer?

The Winter Warm Up Event Day events include a wide range of free activities and support, such as:

  • Sport and activity taster sessions
  • Hearing tests
  • Vaccinations and health MOTs
  • Electric blanket testing
  • Arts and crafts workshops
  • Health and wellbeing drop-ins
  • A large marketplace showcasing local groups, services, and support
  • And to top it off, a free bowl of hot soup and a roll for everyone who takes part to enjoy!

The new Winter Warm Up Fringe aims to:

  • offer enjoyable ways to get active—without needing to play a sport or “wear Lycra"
  • highlight the fantastic range of activities already happening in the district through our local
    clubs and groups
  • encourage people to discover ways to get and stay active, closer to home

Local clubs and organisations can register their free WWU taster sessions. We hope residents will take the chance to try something new—perhaps right on their doorstep—and that participating groups will welcome new members too.

Working in partnership

Winter Warm Up 2026 is delivered in partnership with eight organisations, working alongside the HDC Communities Team. Our thanks to: Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Chanctonbury Leisure Centre Trust, Health & Wellbeing, Healthwatch, The Bridge Leisure Centre, CT Sussex, and UK Harvest.

We ran two free activity days in October 2025 packed full of sports taster sessions, arts and crafts workshops, health and wellbeing checks, free lunch and more. Aimed at the over 50s, our first Winter Warm Up events were about encouraging residents to prepare for winter by prioritising your health and activity levels.

The events were at The Bridge Leisure Centre in Broadbridge Heath and Chanctonbury Leisure Centre in Storrington.