Grants of up to £2,500 will be available to local organisations that provide Ealing residents with warm spaces to gather during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The grant could be used to help organisations increase the use of their space, launch a new activity that supports the community, pay for utility bills or for energy efficiency measures.

Each space must be available weekly for a minimum of four hours between November 2022 and March 2023.

Multiple bids from varying organisations across Ealing's seven towns are welcomed. However to avoid duplication and to ensure there is a spread of warm spaces available across the whole borough, groups are asked to co-ordinate their offers.

The grant value is up to £1,000 for extending existing warm spaces provision. The council can also consider applications for up to £2,500 for the creation of new warm spaces and/or where organisations collaborate to help a larger group of residents.

To make sure an even spread across the borough, the council may not support an otherwise eligible grant application on the grounds it considers the town already has adequate provision.

To apply for grant funding, visit the warm spaces page on the council's website. The deadline for bids closes at 5pm on November 17 2022.

The grants funding launches at the same time as a new warm spaces charter, which outlines the council's commitment to residents needing shelter during the winter months.

Recently, the council opened four community hubs – in Acton, Ealing, Northolt and Southall, to offer residents somewhere to go to find support and advice during the cost-of-living crisis.