With talks from warm space providers and a spoken word performance from Stockport Write Out Loud, the event at the Upper Rooms Café in Cheadle was held to thank the providers of the 122 warm spaces now available across Stockport.
Spanning across all ward areas, warm spaces are welcome for anyone to drop in and relax. They will be open until March 2023, and many will offer free Wi-Fi, free hot food and drink, and a range of activities.
Stockport Council-owned spaces across the borough are offering warm spaces, as well as a wide range of local organizations who have kindly offered to be part of the scheme.
Speaking at the launch event, Councilor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “I’d like to thank every one of our warm space providers for their support of this project. The response from local community organizations has been incredible.
“It has been a hugely proactive, fast and collective response to another unprecedented situation for our community: we know there are going to be very many challenges over the next few months, and people are genuinely struggling to make ends meet.
“We’re pleased to have been able to offer grants to many warm spaces through the One Stockport Local Fund, and a number have set up without funding: in both cases, there has been a tremendous amount of commitment and time offered for free. I can’t thank everyone involved enough.
“Stockport’s warm spaces will provide welcoming and friendly environments for all ages this winter. We’ve seen some really creative ideas in activities, from candle making, to talks on African headgear, to tea dances. There really is something for everybody, though no obligation to buy or join anything.”
Find your nearest warm space
Everyone is welcome to use warm spaces and join in with activities: visit the council website to see the interactive map.
This is part of a wide range of measures being put in place to help residents keep warm and well this winter. More advice and winter information can be found on the council website.
The second round of warm spaces funding was also launched on 7 November, provided by the Stockport Local Fund, with support from the DWP Household Support Fund.
Charities, community groups, faith organisations, CICs, CIOs and trusts who have yet to receive warm spaces funding can apply. Small grants of up to £1,000 are available for:
• Helping a current warm space stay open for longer/more regularly
• Helping a current warm space put on new events or activities
• Helping to provide warm food/drinks for free
• Setting up an entirely new warm space
• Setting up a new activity or event for residents
• Providing spaces or activities for a particular community group (although a warm space can’t be ‘closed’ to residents)
As the warm spaces project aims to serve all areas of Stockport, particular preference will be given to organizations in areas of the interactive map that don’t have many warm spaces currently (for example, Offerton, Gatley, North Reddish or Heaton Moor).
Apply for the funding
Applications are now open and will close 11:59pm on Sunday November 27.
Please download and complete the application form. Send this and additional documents to stockportlocal@stockport.gov.uk
Support Stockport’s cost of living response
Sector 3 has created a JustGiving page to raise money that will fund additional activities and services to support vulnerable residents through the Cost of Living crisis. Please consider making a donation.
