Derbyshire County Council launches £50,000 'Warm Spaces' fund

Voluntary, community and charity organisations can now apply for a grant from Derbyshire County Council to open warm spaces this winter.

The authority has launched a £50,000 Warm Spaces Fund to support them to provide a warm refuge for residents and their families struggling to heat their homes.

Organisations can apply for up to £1,000 towards the cost of opening up community venues or to extend their opening hours during the colder months.

The money can be used towards things like the cost of energy bills or to provide refreshments or activities.

Councillor Carol Hart, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, said: “Everyone is feeling the impact of rising living costs which is why we’re putting in place extra support this winter.

“We welcome applications from charities, voluntary and community organisations – many of which are already providing vital services to help people who are struggling with increasing costs.

“This funding boost will provide additional cash so they can increase the support they offer, by extending opening hours for example, or encourage other groups to think about setting up a warm and welcoming space in their community.”

To qualify for a grant, organisations must pledge to offer a heated space during the winter months, provide seating, may offer refreshments such as a warm drink and a biscuit and be free of charge.

People visiting warm spaces will also be offered information to help them with cost of living support, as well as advice on looking after their mental health and well-being.

For more information about warm spaces and how to apply for a grant visit: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/warmspaces

Meanwhile Derbyshire County Council has opened two warm spaces in its own buildings at the Record Office, New Street, Matlock and Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, Terrace Road, Buxton. These will be available during published opening hours.

The Warm Spaces Fund is part of a package of support totalling more than £780,000 being provided by Derbyshire County Council to help residents affected by the cost of living.

Other support on offer includes:

• An additional £80,000 will be given to Locality Health Partnerships to provide cost of living support to people in their local communities. 
• £100,000 to Marches Energy Advice which, working alongside foodbanks, supports people in crisis with emergency heating measures.
• £100,000 to Foundation Derbyshire to support the work of foodbanks plus £67,000 to support the work of Citizens’ Advice in providing wrap-around support to people using them
• £42,000 to Derbyshire Law Centre to support its work with people in secure housing
• £22,000 to Derby Law Centre to support people facing eviction
• £54,000 to support the Winter Rough Sleeping project co-ordinated by the Derbyshire Homeless Officers Group
• £20,000 to Rural Action Derbyshire for its Rural Hardship Fund
• Doubling the county council’s members’ Community Leadership Scheme by £247,000 to almost £500,000 to provide extra cost of living support. 

The council has also been awarded a further £5.4m from Government to continue its support to families under the Household Support Fund and you can find out more here.

The county council has also put together a dedicated webpage of support and information at: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/costofliving.