Grants of up to £2,500 are being made available to local organisations by Ealing Council, in return for help in providing warm spaces to local people during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

A ‘warm space’ is a place where people can come and keep warm and connect with the local community.

The grant could be used to help organisations increase the use of their space, start up a new activity, pay for utility bills or for energy efficiency measures. It could also be used for providing food and drink, activities for the elderly, children and families, or activities supporting the community.

Each space must be available for a minimum of four hours every week between November 2022 and March 2023.

Multiple bids from varying organisations across any or all of our borough’s seven towns are welcomed. Groups are asked to co-ordinate their offers, however, to avoid duplication and to ensure a spread of suitable warm spaces available across the borough.

The grant value is up to £1,000 for extending existing warm spaces provision. The council can also consider applications for up to £2,500 for the creation of new warm spaces and/or where organisations collaborate to help a larger group of residents.

To make sure an even spread across the borough, the council may not support an otherwise eligible grant application on the grounds it considers the town already has adequate provision.

To apply for grant funding, visit the warm spaces page on the council’s website. The deadline for bids closes at 5pm on 17 November 2022.

The grants funding launches at the same time as a new warm spaces charter, which outlines the council’s commitment to residents needing shelter during the winter months.

Community hubs

Recently, the council opened four community hubs – in Acton, Ealing, Northolt and Southall, to offer residents somewhere to go to find support and advice during the cost-of-living crisis.