Cheshire Community Action launches community grant fund for Warm, Welcoming Spaces

Cheshire Community Action has launched a grant fund for community buildings, groups and schools to create Warm, Welcoming Spaces on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Warm, Welcoming Spaces initiative is designed to provide people with a place where they can go to stay warm and safe, help people save money on their energy bills, access advice and information to help people save money on their energy bills, and share ideas to help with cost-of-living challenges. Community buildings and groups in the area can apply for grants of up to £500 to help meet the additional running costs involved in setting up or maintaining a Warm, Welcoming Space during the winter months.

Running costs supported by the grant can include everything from food and refreshments to increased utilities use, venue hire, extra furniture, staff costs, volunteer expenses and publicising the service.

The grant scheme is now open for applications on a first-come, first-served basis, and more than one grant can be awarded where needed. Cheshire Community Action will review applications weekly to ensure that funds are shared quickly when awarded. Grant decisions are delivered within two weeks of application, and the scheme will close on 26 March 2023.

Mark Reading, Chief Operations Officer of Cheshire Community Action, said: “Supporting local community buildings and groups has always been a big part of what our charity does, so being involved in delivering Warm, Welcoming Spaces during the cost-of-living crisis is a natural extension of our work.

“Rising energy prices are a massive issue right now. We hope this initiative will make a real difference to people who are worried about staying warm this winter, giving them somewhere to go for physical warmth and social contact.”

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “As well as helping people to stay warm, we want to help improve community spirit and wellbeing through increased social interaction, connectivity and sense of belonging in these challenging times. Warm, Welcoming Spaces are also somewhere to invite specialist support providers so they can offer further assistance to anyone who needs extra support over the winter.”

For more information on how to apply for a Warm, Welcoming Spaces grant, visit Cheshire Community. Action’s website.

For help with applications, contact Cheshire Community Action on 01244 400222 or email mark.reading@cheshireaction.org.uk.

Pictured - John Heselwood of Cheshire Community Action (left), which is administering the Warm, Welcoming Spaces grant scheme for Cheshire West and Chester Council, pictured with Gary Cliffe of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, a member of the grant application panel.