Want to make a difference? The Co-op wants to fund warm spaces. Your group can apply

As winter looms, Co-op has become the first retailer to launch a £1 million ‘Warm Spaces’ funding boost, to provide urgent support to local community organisations across the UK, as they help communities navigate rising energy costs during the cold winter months.

This funding comes as a welcome boost, with insight from over1,600 local community causes across the UK showing almost two-thirds (59%) of projects experienced a shortfall in funding over the past year. In excess of three-quarters (84%) of local causes saw an increase in demand on their services, especially groups providing support for people to help them get through the cost-of-living crisis.

Over a quarter (26%) of community projects revealed they were thinking about needing to cut services as a result of the shortfalls in funding, and, worryingly, a tenth (10%) of local projects had already closed or cut services.

In support, funds raised by Co-op members are helping local groups provide warm spaces for people to use over the coldest winter months, through its newly established partnership with Crowdfunder. 

Eligible groups who are already offering a warm space, or wanting to increase opening times or extend existing services or activities this winter can apply for the £1m match funding, that's up to £3,000 per group is available by applying at coop.uk/warmspaces by 28th February 2023 (fundraising to be completed by 31st March 2023).

Projects eligible to apply could include a community café requiring funding to continue offering their building as a warm space; a local village support group needing to extend existing activities to support more people in their local community; a community 'fridge, needing to promote their services more widely to meet increasing need or a youth group whose energy costs have increased.

Said Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Member Participation at the Co-op: “As our Co-op research shows, we've a huge role to play in backing and supporting community groups and the people they help during the cost-of-living crisis.

“Funding for warm spaces forms part of our response to our community missions of access to food, mental wellbeing support and opportunities for young people. Launching this funding boots will help groups keep their lights and heating on as they bring communities together to keep warm in the coldest months of the year– increasing overall wellbeing. 

"It may also mean people don’t have to choose between accessing food or heating this winter. Plus, having a warm space allows the community to take a break from their everyday worries, improving their mental wellbeing, too.

“The £1m funding boost wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for our members choosing Co-op and raising funds to support communities every time they shop with us. Our customers and members can help even more by donating through Crowdfunder or take part by using the services that are being funded.”

Rob Love, founder and CEO of Crowdfunder said: “Crowdfunder are delighted to have partnered with Co-op to help keep communities warm this winter. This vital funding is needed now more than ever to make sure there are enough warm spaces open throughout the colder months. Through Crowdfunder, we are able to connect funding from large organisations such as the Co-op with thousands of small charities and community projects who are desperately in need of help”

Sue Collins, Caxton House Community Centre, a long-established multi-purpose Community Hub in North London said: “We've been overwhelmed by the responses regarding the anxiety, stress and increased mental health issues that the current cost of living crisis is causing. 

"Families and older residents have regularly told us they've had to cut down on food as prices have doubled and we receive regular calls asking for emergency help, reminiscent of the first Covid lockdown. 

"We're aware some residents aren't heating their homes and that this will get worse as we progress into the winter months. We want to be able to offer extra advice and support, at a time when our own costs for gas in the centre is increasing from £5,000 annually to an anticipated £50,000+.

“We have opened ‘warm rooms’ providing spaces for residents to keep warm, socialise and access refreshments. We have lots of different activities on different days that include arts and crafts, as well as access to advice including money saving energy tips, budgeting and debt advice, mental health and well-being support. 

"Residents can also charge electrical equipment and fill flasks, with some sessions allowing access to hot food, and pre-prepared meals that can be microwaved at home, saving having to put on an oven.”

Since 2016 Co-op members have helped raise an incredible £117 million for local communities, which includes 30,000 Local Community Fund projects supported, funding over 280 fridges with Hubbub, building the network to 350 'fridges by end of 2022. Expanding the Your Local Pantry network to 225 within the next 3 years, providing more communities with sustainable solutions to access to food.

In addition to signposting 900,000 people to helpful mental wellbeing information and services with Mind, SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and Inspire, and helping 6,000 young people make communities safer and fairer places to live through our Peer Action Collective.

For further information and match funding criteria visit coop.uk/warmspaces.