Our Warm Spaces Directory is now live:
Warm Spaces Directory
The deadline for Warm Spaces funding was Monday 31st October 2022, as we recognise that some Warm Spaces will need support in time for winter. The fund may re-open in future.
We are working with our voluntary sector partners to support a network of ‘Warm Spaces’ across Lewes district and Eastbourne over the winter.
These must be safe, warm, non-judgemental spaces where local people can:
- Sit and be warm
- Study or work on their laptops (with access to Wi-fi)
- Have a hot drink
- Be with company
- Access advice OR information / signposting to advice on debt, bills, benefits and food
Organisations or groups that already have facilities including toilets, heating, wi-fi, tables and chairs and tea making facilities may be considering opening their doors as a Warm Space. This could involve being open on days which you aren’t usually, being open for longer or widening your offer to all in need of a Warm Space.
These could be places such as:
- Church Halls
- Community Centres
- Libraries
- Civic centres
- Advice centres/ charities with spare space
Warm Spaces directory
We are creating a directory of Warm Spaces across Lewes district and Eastbourne. If your group or organisation is currently operating a Warm Space please send us the details using the button below.
Support for Warm Spaces - now closed
Up to 13 October 2022 we offered small grants of £50 to £1,000 to support with:
- Heating
- Wi-fi
- Hot drink amenities
- Costs associated with keeping your space open in a safe way
Larger grants of up to £5,000 were available for larger areas (ie towns) that are likely to have higher demand. These grants could have be used as match funding for advice provision in the Warm Space.
Warm Space Principles
In applying for a grant to set up or enhance a Warm Space, premises agree to the Warm Space Principles which are:
- A warm welcome
- A safe space, free of judgement
- Access to basic facilities: warmth, WCs, wifi, hot beverages
- Confidentiality (allowing for appropriate safeguarding responses)
Why are Warm Spaces needed?
Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils have declared a cost of living emergency. The crisis being experienced across the UK has resulted from unprecedented pressures on people already in poverty and this winter, despite the support given by Government, thousands of people in the district and borough may be forced to make tough decisions about when and what they eat, what they can do in life, and when they can afford to heat their home.
You can find information about help available with the cost of living at:
Despite the support available, the reality is that for many households, this will not cover the increasing cost of fuel, food and other necessities. This is why we are supporting the set-up of a Warm Spaces network.
Guidance for setting up a Warm Space
The Money Saving Expert website has published a guide on setting up a Warm Space. Download a PDF of the guide at:
Data protection
Download the privacy notes for the application form below. This explains how we will use the data you provide.
