Nearly £80,000 has been shared among almost 30 Inverclyde groups to support events and activities to help local people stay warm this winter.

One-off grants of up to £3,000 have been made available through Inverclyde Council’s Warm Hand of Friendship scheme, which is being administered by CVS Inverclyde. 

The initiative is designed to support local organisations to provide residents with access to ‘warm spaces’, food, and warm items of clothing during the winter months.

A total of 29 grants worth just under £80,000 have now been made available to a range of groups, including community centres, uniformed organisations, churches, and sports clubs, to put on a variety of events and activities to help people who may be struggling with the cost of living crisis.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “The impact of the cost of living crisis has really hit home over the last week or so with the prolonged, bitterly cold weather that will undoubtedly be putting an additional strain on household budgets that are already under severe pressure.

“We don’t want anyone to struggle alone and be forced to choose between heating or eating or have to go without either.

“That’s why the Inverclyde Warm Hand of Friendship initiative was set up, to provide safe and warm environments for people to go within their own local area to simply escape the cold, pick up something nutritious to eat, access practical advice and support to cope with bills and increasing costs, or all of the above.

“While funding is being provided by the council for this initiative, credit must go to our incredible partners across the community and the third sector for once again stepping up to the mark to provide venues, events, and activities to support some of the most vulnerable in society and offering them a much-needed helping hand this winter.”

The warm hand of friendship scheme includes a warm spaces and activities map, financial support leaflet, and ‘warm boxes’ containing items to help the most vulnerable in society.

Vicki Cloney, the partnerships facilitator at CVS Inverclyde, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be administering this fund on behalf of Inverclyde Council. Charities and voluntary groups in Inverclyde are at the heart of our communities and are reaching people most in need.

“The services and activities third sector groups have created with the Warm Hand of Friendship fund are a lifeline to many in Inverclyde who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“We encourage anyone who is struggling right now to use the resources to find a service or activity and see what support is available.

“We also want to once more emphasise the pressures and challenges facing the third sector due to the impact of the cost of living crisis. There are lots Inverclyde residents can do, if they’re able, to support these groups including donating, fundraising or volunteering.”

A £360,000 package of anti-poverty measures were approved by the council last month to provide additional support to families and households this winter.

This includes £100,000 for the Warm Hand of Friendship initiative, which has received a further £30,000 from the health and social care partnership budget to deliver the ‘warm boxes’.

For more information about Inverclyde’s Warm Hand of Friendship, visit www.inverclyde.gov.uk/warmspaces.