FUNDING worth almost £84,000 has been shared among more than 50 Inverclyde community groups to support residents during the cold winter months.

One-off grants have been awarded from the council’s Warm Hand of Friendship initiative which is designed to provide people with access to warm spaces and practical advice and support as temperatures plummet and bills increase.

Funding of £83,940 has been shared among 51 groups, including churches, community centres, sports clubs and charities, to support a variety of activities.

It takes the total amount distributed by the council since Inverclyde’s Warm Hand of Friendship launched in 2022 to just under £284,000.

In September, the initiative was extended for another three years until 2027 with £560,000 committed towards it.

Councillor Robert Moran, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “We know how tough it is for so many people, especially at this time of year when the mercury drops and fuel bills rise.

“The Warm Hand of Friendship provides financial support to community groups to run activities and offer practical help and advice in a warm and welcoming environment.

“It also helps with social inclusion at this time of year when there are less opportunities to get out and about and can lead to isolation.

“Warm Hand of Friendship is on top of things like the council’s pension age fuel poverty payments, community clothing points and fridges in our libraries, universal free school meals for all primary pupils, and various other initiatives and grants for households and businesses.

“As a council, we’re doing what we can with the limited resources we have at our disposal to provide a range of supports for residents, community organisations, and businesses.”

All successful Warm Hand of Friendship applicants have been notified and payments processed.

Applications will continue to be accepted for review early in the new year.

More information about Inverclyde’s Warm Hand of Friendship, including how to apply for funding and where to access help and support, is available from the council website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/warmspaces.