As temperatures begin to fall, community groups and organisations across County Durham are being invited to apply for financial support to become Welcome Spaces.
Durham County Council is working alongside Point North to offer funding to the voluntary and community sector to create a network of places where people feel safe, warm, and included.
Alongside community groups and organisations, the local authority’s Family Hubs and 39 library buildings will once again join the scheme.
Both the council and Point North are contributing to the funding, with a combined pot of £330,000 available, including £250,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to support organisations with grants of up to £3,000.
Last year, 83 groups received funding and an evaluation of the programme suggested the initial aim of helping people to stay well and warm was not the only benefit to come from the scheme. Feedback highlighted that a range of additional support was provided on matters ranging from finance, housing, mental health and wellbeing to drugs and alcohol.
Participants in the Welcome Spaces scheme will be asked to sign up to a simple charter, setting out standards for the scheme, and to display a window poster highlighting their involvement.
Community groups and organisations that receive support will also be offered training on a range of topics, including basic mental health, food safety and safeguarding, with grants able to cover a range of expenses such as utility bills, volunteer expenses or staff time, equipment and furniture.
Once community Welcome Spaces are confirmed, they will be added to Locate, an online directory allowing residents to connect with local services in their community. Key information including opening times, accessibility and any other facilities available, such as the offer of hot drinks or wi-fi, will be highlighted to ensure people can access their nearest space.
Organisation wishing to apply for the funding should visit:
www.pointnorth.org.uk/grants/welcome-spaces-2024
Residents will be able to access the directory at www.durhamlocate.org.uk
Organisations that are not eligible for a grant, or do not wish to apply, can still become a Welcome Space with their details added to Locate. Contact welcomespaces@durham.gov.uk to find out more.
Advice on how to stay warm, well and safe this winter, can be found at:
www.durham.gov.uk/warmandwell