With temperatures falling as energy bills rise, many people across Cumbria are struggling to afford their utility bills. The Warm Spots Fund is providing funding to charitable organisations to help them stay open for longer this winter and provide a warm place for people to shelter from the cold and to help mitigate the cost of living crisis.
A warm spot can be any community venue – a village hall, a community centre, a church, a parish room – which provides a warm and friendly environment for people to meet over refreshments.
The Cumbria Warm Spots Toolkit will provide you with a range of information about setting up a Warm Space and links to all sorts of resources, training and ideas.
Donor
Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Community Foundation
Who can apply?
• community groups that are establishing a Warm Spot or extending their existing provision to support the ongoing needs of people impacted by the cost of living crisis to ensure that their health and wellbeing is maintained.
What will the fund support?
• additional salary costs
• additional utility and rental costs
• small modifications to make the venue safer and more accessible (e.g., heater guards)
• infection control measures (hand gel, masks, additional cleaning costs)
• volunteer expenses
• Level 2 food and hygiene qualifications (to prepare and serve food)
• light refreshments (tea and biscuits)
• promotion – i.e., posters
What the Fund cannot support in addition to our normal exclusions:
• existing activities unless provision is being extended and additional costs incurred (e.g. additional heating costs)
• individuals
• organisational core costs
• organisational administration costs
How much can you apply for?
• grants of up to £1,000 per venue will be considered.
Please complete the application form, available here. There is no closing date. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. You should expect to hear the outcome within 10 working days of submitting your application.
Please note:
• the funding, if awarded, must be fully spent by 30th April 2023.
• funded organisations will be required to register on the Cumbria Warm Spot directory.
If you would like to know more about this fund please contact:
Annalee Holliday on 01900 825760 or email annalee@cumbriafoundation.org
Useful information: This pack has been produced by the organisations involved in the Cumbria Poverty Working Group: Cost of Living Community Leaders Guide