Mid and East Antrim Borough Council: Warm Spaces Grants Scheme 2024/25
Overview
The Warm Spaces Grants Scheme aims to offer Community and Voluntary Organisations funding to aid them in rebuilding and reconnecting communities following the coronavirus pandemic. As we head into the winter months, the scheme aims to help residents of this Borough who are vulnerable, isolated and/or struggling during the cost-of-living crisis by supporting groups to provide new, renewed or extended community activities which bring people together in a warm, safe and shared space. Council has identified a budget to support projects that assist local communities through new, renewed or extended community activities which bring people together in a warm, safe, shared space. Constituted groups are permitted to apply for 100% funding up to a maximum of £500 to encourage them to host a Warm Space for the local community. These grants are designed to support activities, not capital costs. Projects must run for a minimum of three sessions.
What is a Warm Space?
The definition of a Warm Space is that they must be a free to use, warm, safe place where residents can expect a friendly and inclusive welcome. People can attend on their own, or with a friend, and will have an opportunity to talk to others over a hot drink or maybe a hot meal and be encouraged to stay for long as they wish throughout its opening hours. You may also wish to make some social activities available. Council will provide all successful projects with information packs to give out, which will contain practical advice on keeping safe and warm this winter. There can be further help to find out about more specialist advice and support for any issues or challenges they are facing.
Who can apply?
To qualify for a grant under this Scheme, applicants must be formally constituted with a current committee and based in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area. The applicant must also ensure that any benefits from the funding are in the Mid and East Antrim Borough only.
EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS
- Enabling people to reconnect with their communities by hosting coffee/newspaper mornings or luncheon club in a warm and welcoming building running for six weeks 2
- Enabling people to access a nutritious meal by hosting an activity such as a weekly ‘beetle drive’ or cookery demonstration followed by supper
- Extending the opening hours and/or range of activities provided by existing community organisations which bring people together in warm spaces for companionship e.g. guest speakers, keep fit classes etc
- Hosting a series of information events, along with refreshments, with representatives attending from organisations who may be able to provide support and advice for the community in relation to cost-ofliving concerns.
- Enabling and encouraging vulnerable people to use and access technology to keep them connected to the outside world by hosting an intergenerational club where the young people share computer skills and the older people share baking or sewing skills
- Awareness raising events directly relating to the purpose of the fund, e.g. series of weekly speakers to provide wellbeing information, healthy eating, keep warm projects etc.
Eligible costs
The following are examples of items which can qualify for eligible spend:
- Slow cookers to facilitate provision of meals such as soups and stews
- Tea, coffee, milk, biscuits for coffee mornings
- Newspapers or board games
- Food ingredients for cookery demonstrations
- Materials for a craft class or similar
- Third Party Venue hire costs (N.B. costs associated with the use of the group’s own venue cannot be considered)
These lists are not exhaustive, and any project ideas should be discussed with your local DEA Council Officer in the first instance to determine suitability. Any groups who require support for projects are advised to contact their relevant DEA Officer to discuss other sources of guidance and support.