Arun Warm Spaces Small Grants Fund

A Warm Space is a place where residents can come and keep warm and connect with friends and neighbours in a safe and inclusive environment. Community and voluntary sector (CVS) organisations who want to create or improve their existing warm space can apply for a grant from the Arun Warm Spaces Small Grants Fund for up to £2,000.

The grant could be used to help CVS organisations:

  • increase the use of the space
  • start up a new activity
  • pay for the warm space utility bills or for energy efficiency measures 
  • provide food and drink
  • provide activities for all ages
  • prove activities that support the general wellbeing of the local community

Why are Warm Spaces needed?

We recognise the impact of the current cost of living crisis and the pressures it will place on residents who are already just about managing. 

Although support from central government is available, many residents may be forced to make difficult decisions about when and what they eat, and when they can afford to heat their homes.

This is why we are supporting the set-up of a Warm Spaces network.

Guidance for setting up a Warm Space

You can download a guide on setting up a Warm Space from cilip.org.uk

Guidance for applicants to the Arun Warm Spaces Small Grants Fund

Guidance notes for applying for funding

Eligibility requirements

Organisations applying should be based in the Arun District and own or lease the building where the Warm Space will be located. They must be properly constituted and operate on a not-for-profit basis, with a bank account that requires at least two unrelated authorised signatories.

Some practitioners involved within projects may be asked to evidence their professional qualification, DBS status, food hygiene compliance and food business registration where required.

Projects should accord with the criteria (see Arun Warm spaces criteria below).

Projects or activities applied for must provide demonstrable outcomes that will directly benefit the target audience.

The maximum amount that can be applied for is £1000 per existing Warm Space or a maximum of £2000 for a new Warm Space.

Priority will be given to organisations applying who have an annual income no greater than £25,000.

Grants cannot be made retrospectively or for goods or services that you purchase or order before you hear the panel’s decision.

How to apply

Please email julie.hoggatt@arun.gov.uk to request an application form.

Ensure you complete all sections of the application form. Electronic submissions are preferred but handwritten applications will be accepted if necessary.

The completed form should be sent via email to julie.hoggatt@arun.gov.uk.If email submission is not possible, the completed form should be posted to Julie Hoggatt, Economic Regeneration Officer re Small Grants, Arun District Council, Civic Centre, Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex BN17 5LF. You may hand deliver the form using the external letter boxes at either the Civic Centre in Maltravers Road, Littlehampton, or to the Town Hall, Clarence Road, Bognor Regis, ensuring that you clearly mark the cover for the attention of Julie Hoggatt – Economic Regeneration Officer. Please note the reception staff are unable to accept mail.

Organisations can contact Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) for support with completing the application form – 01243 840305 / admin@vaac.org.uk.

Please do not include any other documents with your submission as they will not be considered by the panel. 

If the panel wishes to have sight of any of the documentation listed in Question 16 in the application form, you will receive a separate request regarding this.

How your application will be considered

Submissions will be assessed by a funding panel delegated to make decisions on behalf of the Arun Warm Spaces project.

We anticipate that there will be more applications than there is funding available and a strict scoring system will be used to make decisions. Some applicants may not receive any funding; in some cases, funding may be awarded at a lower level than the submission. Feedback will be available to unsuccessful bidders if requested.

The grant value is up to £1,000 for extending existing warm spaces provision. We can also consider applications for up to £2,000 for new Warm Spaces and/or where organisations work with local partners to support a larger group of residents.

Recommendations for funding will have to be ratified by the Wellbeing and Communities manager.

Approved applications

Successful applicants must spend the grant in the financial year it was awarded or repay the grant. They must also complete an end of project feedback form which will be provided.

We must be notified and invited to contribute to any publicity or promotion of the project or activity and also be mentioned as a funder in all such publicity. Please email Julie.hoggatt@arun.gov.uk for further advice.

We reserve the right to publicise all grants awarded on behalf of the Arun Small Grants Fund.

The decision of the awarding panel is final and there is no right to appeal.

Arun Warm Spaces Criteria

Criteria

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

Grants are to be used to support Warm Spaces this winter, this includes but is not limited to energy bills, provision of free warm food/drinks and provide activities/entertainment.

Applications that will bring together local partners to offer support for people in a respectful and practical way are welcomed.

Warm Spaces are expected to promote their activities via other local and community organisations, media and register with Find a Warm Welcome Space Today and Warm Spaces.

Session attendance figures will be requested at the end of March for monitoring and evaluation purposes.  

The Warm Spaces Charter must be followed –  please see below:

Arun Warm Spaces Partnership Charter 

  1. Everyone coming to your Warm Space will be given a warm welcome from the staff and volunteers.
  2. Everyone coming to your Warm Space will have the option to take part in any activities you provide and socialise too.
  3. Your Warm Space will adhere to the safeguarding policies, and any required food hygiene rules.
  4. Your Warm Space will be a non-judgemental space; everyone will be treated with the same; with dignity and respect and never judged.
  5. Let users have the space to share the reasons they need a Warm Space – ensuring they know, someone will listen, that information will remain confidential and not be shared without permission unless, you must because of safeguarding policies.
  6. You will be able to signpost your Warm Space users to local partner organisations and/or further information to assist them with any individual cost-of-living challenges.
These grants are on a first come first served basis – please complete and return your application as soon as you are able.

We hold and store your information in line with the Data Protection legislation currently in force and in line with our Data Protection Policy. A copy of this policy can be obtained on request.