Community grants for warm spaces up for grabs in Tewkesbury borough

Community venues and non-profit organisations in Tewkesbury can now apply for funding from Tewkesbury Borough Council to help set up and run warm spaces for residents of the borough.

For venues such as village halls, community centres and churches, committees will be able to ask for up to £1,000 to help provide a warm space for those living in the Tewkesbury borough — and this money can also be used for food and activities, too.

The national Warm Spaces initiative was set up last year to provide free, warm and welcoming safe spaces for all, to help lessen the burden of rising energy prices, allowing residents to get out of the house and socialise with the local community in a friendly, heated space. It's estimated that 150,000 people across the UK visited a warm space every week throughout the autumn and winter in 2022.

The funding can be put towards a number of costs involved with setting up and running a warm space, including electricity bills from heating the space; staff and volunteer costs; food and refreshments; catering equipment; promotion; and community activities.

Councillor Cate Cody, lead member for community at Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: 'We may all have been experiencing hot weather lately, but the council is already looking ahead to autumn and winter and I am very pleased that we are once again providing support to our residents during the colder months to come.

'Our warm spaces offer free places where people will find warmth and a welcoming atmosphere — where they can reduce their heating bills while socialising with acquaintances old and new.'

Community groups, venues and non-profit organisations can apply for funding via Tewkesbury Borough Council's website and applications are reviewed weekly.

Residents can search for a warm space online via the council's website, the Warm Spaces online directory or by calling (01684) 272139.