Community groups can apply for a share of £100,000 from Inverclyde Council’s Warm Hand of Friendship scheme from today, Monday 27 November 2023.

Applications are now being accepted for one-off grants of up to £3k to support activities designed to help residents during the cold winter months to access spaces, resources, and advice as temperatures plummet and prices rise.

Applications submitted by Friday 8 December 2023 will be assessed prior to the Christmas period.

From January 2024, applications will be reviewed on a weekly, rolling basis until all the funding is awarded.

Grants will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The inaugural Warm Hand of Friendship scheme provided 51 grants to 44 community groups and supported just over 10,000 people across nearly 1,300 sessions between October 2022 and March 2023.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council and convener of policy and resources, said: “The figures from the first Warm Hand of Friendship scheme last winter speak for themselves with so many community groups and, more importantly, so many residents benefitting from a range of events, activities and advice.

“This initiative helps people during the cold winter months and in the midst of the ongoing cost of living crisis by tackling fuel poverty, social isolation and associated challenges at this time of year.

“Credit to council officers and in particular the council’s community, learning and development service for getting the fund up and running so quickly following approval of funding just days ago.”

The Warm Hand of Friendship initiative is back for the second consecutive year after the council’s policy and resources committee approved £100k of funding for it last week.

It was one of a number of projects approved as part of a winter support package worth more than £½ million. Funding is being used by the council’s anti-poverty fund.

More information about the Warm Hand of Friendship scheme, including eligibility criteria, is available on the Inverclyde Council website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/warmspaces