The second round of Warm Spaces funding opens with £45,000 to give access to all communities in Leeds.

More than 140 Warm Spaces have already been supported, thanks to funds allocated by Leeds City Council from the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Cost Of Living Emergency Fund and administered by Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL).

During October, November and December more than 110 third sector and faith organisations across Leeds stepped forward to provide Warm Spaces and VAL has distributed funding to these organisations. This response means that around 65% of people in Leeds are within a 10 minute walk of a Warm Space. 

Working with in partnership with Leeds City Council, Voluntary Action Leeds is now seeking organisations to step forward to become Warm Spaces to enhance the existing network and ensure that every community in Leeds has access to an inclusive Warm Space.  

Warm Spaces funding should be used to help meet the additional costs of opening your space and of providing the resources you need to make your space a welcoming and supportive environment.  

£45,000 is available in this second round of funding with organisations able to apply for grants of £500, £1000 or £1500 depending on how many hours per week the Warm Space will be available. 

A Warm Space for everyone 

Hannah Bailey, Chief Officer of Voluntary Action Leeds, said: “Our aim is to support providing a Warm Space for everyone in Leeds, with a Warm Space within a 10-minute walk for as many people as possible. 

“We are particularly keen to receive applications for this second round of funding from organisations in specific areas of the city 

“More details of these areas and criteria can be found in the Warm Spaces second round funding page on Doing Good Leeds, along with a map of existing Warm Spaces.” 

Warm Spaces second round funding criteria 

Communities of Interest 

Hannah continued: “We are also keen to receive applications from organisations that will provide Warm Spaces from organisations or groups providing spaces from a range of backgrounds, life experiences and interests, including faith communities other than Christian communities – Christian communities are already well served – those serving Communities of Interest with protected characteristics under Equalities legislation and other communities who may find accessing existing Warm Spaces challenging because of their life circumstances.” 

Organisations can apply for one of these two themes by completing this application form Leeds Warm Spaces Fund – New Spaces 

Accessibility 

Funding is also now available for organisations to adapt their services to ensure they are as accessible as possible to all communities. Up to £750 is available to adapt services or provision in a range of ways, including providing transport for those with mobility issues or local engagement for those with a first language other than English. 

 

Cllr Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Communities said: We are delighted with the response from organisations across Leeds to provide these valuable and supportive Warm Spaces. We encourage many more to apply, through our Warm Spaces partners Voluntary Action Leeds, and receive this support to make Warm Spaces in Leeds as open, friendly and accessible as possible.” 

 

Organisations can apply to enhance the accessibility of their Warm Space by completing this application form Leeds Warm Spaces Fund – Enhancement for Accessibility 

Voluntary Action Leeds