Gateshead Council to create network of Warm Spaces
Despite the unprecedented heatwave heading to the UK this week, we are looking to create a network of Warm Spaces for residents to keep warm as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.
We are inviting community organisations to join the Warm Spaces programme so that a directory of Warm Spaces in Gateshead can be created.
The directory will be shared with Gateshead residents who are unable to heat their homes so that residents have somewhere local to go to keep warm and to stay connected with their communities this winter.
Organisations that register for the programme will be able to access a Warm Space Grant to help them create and improve Warm Spaces to enable them to make a positive difference for those living in the area. Grants will be available from £50 - £500 to successful applicants with larger grants available to those organisations who will make the most impact.
More information about the Warm Spaces programme
With the average household bill set to increase to around £2300 a year for gas and electricity, we fear that local people will be forced to make tough decisions about when and what they eat, what they can do in life, and when they can heat their home.
Although additional support has been provided by the Government, we are already concerned that this will not be enough to address the increases to be implemented in October or the current price rises for food, fuel and other necessities.
We are keen to do more to help our residents, delivering upon our Thrive ambitions to ensure:
- We put people and families at the heart of everything we do
- Tackle inequality so people have a fair chance
- Support our communities to support themselves and each other
- Work together and fight for a better future for Gateshead
- Invest in our economy to provide opportunities for employment, innovation, and growth
Councillor Catherine Donovan, Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council said: "There is a cost-of-living crisis in the UK resulting in unprecedented pressures on people already in poverty, and this winter despite the support given by Government, thousands of people in Gateshead will be forced to make tough decisions about when and what they eat, what they can do in life, and when they can afford to heat their home.
"We want to do more to help our residents during the cold winter months and build on our ambitions to help people in Gateshead Thrive. We're keen to work with our local partners, building on the great work we did during the pandemic, to create a network of Warm Spaces where people can come together, get warm, stay warm and enjoy some company and hot refreshments.
"We're looking for local organisations to join our programme and will be offering a small grant to help them make a positive difference to our local communities and help residents during this crisis."
Applications to join the Warm Spaces network are accepted from Gateshead agencies and community-led organisations delivering services in Gateshead for client groups who are predominately from Gateshead.
Organisations are invited to join the Warm Spaces network. The deadline to apply is Friday 29 July.
Despite the unprecedented heatwave heading to the UK this week, we are looking to create a network of Warm Spaces for residents to keep warm as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.
We are inviting community organisations to join the Warm Spaces programme so that a directory of Warm Spaces in Gateshead can be created.
The directory will be shared with Gateshead residents who are unable to heat their homes so that residents have somewhere local to go to keep warm and to stay connected with their communities this winter.
Organisations that register for the programme will be able to access a Warm Space Grant to help them create and improve Warm Spaces to enable them to make a positive difference for those living in the area. Grants will be available from £50 - £500 to successful applicants with larger grants available to those organisations who will make the most impact.
More information about the Warm Spaces programme
With the average household bill set to increase to around £2300 a year for gas and electricity, we fear that local people will be forced to make tough decisions about when and what they eat, what they can do in life, and when they can heat their home.
Although additional support has been provided by the Government, we are already concerned that this will not be enough to address the increases to be implemented in October or the current price rises for food, fuel and other necessities.
We are keen to do more to help our residents, delivering upon our Thrive ambitions to ensure:
- We put people and families at the heart of everything we do
- Tackle inequality so people have a fair chance
- Support our communities to support themselves and each other
- Work together and fight for a better future for Gateshead
- Invest in our economy to provide opportunities for employment, innovation, and growth
Councillor Catherine Donovan, Deputy Leader of Gateshead Council said: "There is a cost-of-living crisis in the UK resulting in unprecedented pressures on people already in poverty, and this winter despite the support given by Government, thousands of people in Gateshead will be forced to make tough decisions about when and what they eat, what they can do in life, and when they can afford to heat their home.
"We want to do more to help our residents during the cold winter months and build on our ambitions to help people in Gateshead Thrive. We're keen to work with our local partners, building on the great work we did during the pandemic, to create a network of Warm Spaces where people can come together, get warm, stay warm and enjoy some company and hot refreshments.
"We're looking for local organisations to join our programme and will be offering a small grant to help them make a positive difference to our local communities and help residents during this crisis."
Applications to join the Warm Spaces network are accepted from Gateshead agencies and community-led organisations delivering services in Gateshead for client groups who are predominately from Gateshead.
Organisations are invited to join the Warm Spaces network. The deadline to apply is Friday 29 July.
