One Stockport Local Fund to fund warm spaces this winter

Stockport Council is offering small grants of up to £1,000 through round seven of the One Stockport Local Fund to help local organisations provide warm spaces, activities and events this winter.

The rising cost of living is at the forefront of many people’s minds at the moment, and the council wants to encourage organisations to offer safe and warm spaces for residents to access from November 2022 to March 2023.

Charities, community groups, faith organisations, CICs, CIOs and trusts can all apply to fund projects including:

• Helping a current warm space stay open for longer/more regularly
• Helping a current warm space put on new events or activities
• Helping to provide warm food/drinks for free
• Setting up a completely new warm space
• Setting up a new activity or event for residents (if space is needed to put something on, the council can help).

Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how to bring people together to offer something new and interesting.

The council is funding these warm spaces alongside our regular public buildings such as leisure centres, libraries and community centres: all essential hubs of the community.

An interactive map of warm spaces across Stockport will be created once grants are given out. Organisations that can offer a warm space but don’t need a grant can add their information to the map by filling in this form

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, commented:

“We want to support our residents as much as possible with the cost of living during the winter months. Creating safe and warm spaces, with fun activities to bring the community together, is a key part of our plan to help keep residents safe, warm and well as the weather gets colder.

“That’s why we have decided to focus this round of the One Stockport Local Fund on the drive to get more warm spaces open, for longer. If you’re a local organisation that could use a little extra funding to help bring your plans to life, we want to hear from you!”

Applications are now open and will close 11:59pm on Sunday 2 October. Those completing the form will also be able to receive more information about an additional grant for energy efficiency measures.

The application form can be downloaded here. Please email completed forms and additional documents to stockportlocal@stockport.gov.uk.

The scheme is part of a wide range of measures being put in place to support residents through the winter. Stockport residents can access advice and information on the cost of living online hub, and more information about staying safe, warm and well this winter will be released by the council and its partners soon.