Grant funding for Winter Connections community programme reopens

Community groups and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to apply for grant funding from Renfrewshire Council to enable them to put on activities for local people from October to March next year.

Winter Connections is a network of local places and spaces across Renfrewshire where people can connect with others in their community during winter. Events and activities are open to everyone and guarantee a warm welcome.

The £75,000 fund is open to local groups and organisations who can offer a community venue, run an activity, or would like to open up their existing activities as part of Winter Connections.

Groups and organisations can apply for up to £2,000 to cover costs such as energy, providing food, staffing or cleaning.

However, the fund is not open to groups arranging one-off activities or events, or projects that charge people for taking part.

Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, depute leader of Renfrewshire Council and chair of the Fairer Renfrewshire sub-committee, said: “The Winter Connections programme has brought people together in a positive way over the last two years and I’m pleased to see this important community-led programme return.

“Community groups and voluntary organisations are the heart of our communities and essential for local people. The cost of living continues to remain high and enabling people to join free activities in their local area really helps people to feel connected to their communities during the cold winter months.

“People have told us they enjoy the programme and how much it has helped to reduce isolation, make connections, learn new skills, and get advice and support if they needed it. This year’s programme will build on the wonderful work that’s gone before. I would encourage community groups and voluntary organisations to apply for funding now.”

Projects applying to the fund should be:
• open, free and easy to access
• inclusive, welcoming, respectful and safe
• able to offer warm drinks/snacks/food along with activities, where possible
• able or willing to provide connections to other services and supports.

Applicants must also have a written constitution, bank account and be able to demonstrate an understanding of what their local community currently needs.

Awards will be made from mid-October, and the fund will remain open until all available funding has been used. Guidance on the funding is available on the Council’s website and anyone considering applying is encouraged to get their applications in as quickly as possible.

Any grant received from the fund must be spent by the end of March 2025.

Apply for the Winter Connections Fund (Renfrewshire Council).